Sleep Disturbance and Noise Annoyance and Environmental Noise Exposure in Residents of Two Major Slovakian Cities

The significant growth in traffic density in Slovakia, combined with the country’s economic change, has resulted in new environmental noise issues, particularly in road traffic noise. The objective of this study was to assess and evaluate the impact of environmental noise on the psychosocial well-being of young healthy individuals in the two main Slovak cities of Bratislava and Kosice. To assess noise annoyance, interference with activities, and sleep disturbance, the ICBEN (The International Commission on the Biological Effects of Noise) anonymous validated “Noise annoyance questionnaire” was applied; noise levels were objectified by direct measurements using a sound level analyzer with a frequency analysis module. Young individuals between the ages of 20 and 30 were interviewed in Bratislava (533 respondents, 155 males) and Kosice (355 respondents, 111 males). The majority of the respondents in both cities were exposed to medium levels of road traffic noise LAeq ≥ 60 dB. In Bratislava, 27.82 % of respondents resided in the higher noise exposure category LAeq ≥ 70 dB, while in Kosice, 39.9 % resided in the lower noise exposure category LAeq < 50 dB. Road traffic noise annoys respondents in the higher noise exposure category in Bratislava 63.51 %, and even in the lower noise exposure category in Kosice, it interferes with reading and mental work, sleep and falling asleep 46.51 %. The study has identified traffic noise as an environmental issue in large cities, emphasizing the need for vulnerable individuals to be protected, particularly at night.

Potential noise annoyance from ambient air quality measurement using high volume air sampler (HVAS)

One of the benchmarks in air pollution is the quality of ambient air consisting of gas and particulate matter. Measurement of particulates in ambient air can be done using a High-Volume Air Sampler (HVAS). However, in the measurement process it sometimes causes noise annoyance to the community where the measuring instrument is operated, considering that the operating time of the instrument is 24 consecutive hours. This research identifies the value of the sound power level emitted from the several types of HVAS to the surrounding environment. There are two types of HVAS measured in this study consisting of one unit of HVAS with analogue flow control made by Indonesian manufacturer and two units of HVAS with digital flow control made by Japan and United States of America manufacturers. Sound power level is determined using ISO 9614 method with a sound intensity analyzer as the main instrument. The sound power level data for each HVAS were than compared and frequency spectrum distributions are evaluated. Based on the research results, it was found that some sample units emitted sound power levels of more than 90 dBA with dominant noise being at high frequencies starting from 4000 Hz. The results of the research can be used as an early information in the development of the HVAS regarding noise mitigation, because there is different approach for controlling noise specifics in low, mid and high frequencies noise source.

The relative effects of self-reported noise and odour annoyance on psychological distress: Different effects across sociodemographic groups?

In earlier research, both higher levels of noise and odour annoyance have been associated with decreased mental health. Presumably, these perceptions can trigger feelings of threat and stress reactions and in turn evoke psychological distress. There are two important lacunas in the research on this topic: most studies only consider either noise or odour annoyance and not their relative effect on psychological distress and there is scarce evidence about whether different sociodemographic groups experience more psychological distress due to noise and odour annoyance. Starting from the diversity in the available coping resources and in their daily life patterns, we distinguish gender, age and educational level as relevant sociodemographic variables. Using data from the Health Monitor (n = 25236) in Noord-Brabant, we found using Ordinary Least Squares Regression that individuals that reported higher levels of noise and odour annoyance reported higher levels of psychological distress. Furthermore, the effect of noise annoyance was relatively stronger compared to that of odour annoyance. Regarding the interaction effects, we found that younger adults’ psychological distress was more strongly affected by noise annoyance compared to older adults, but not by odour annoyance. The psychological distress of individuals with no or primary education was more strongly affected by both noise and odour annoyance compared those with tertiary education, but not when compared to those who completed lower or higher secondary education. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find different effects between men and women. Though the evidence for the interactions was mixed, classic health inequalities along age and education lines are reinforced when considering the relationship between noise and odour annoyance and psychological distress.

Remote Working in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Questionnaire on the Perceived Noise Annoyance

Noisiness in the working environment was largely proved to have effects on the working activity and performance. To limit the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first wave between March and May 2020, Italian workers had massively started performing remote working. Insights on the subjective perception of noise annoyance under the remote working settings were thus necessary. Workers from a university and from several large and small Italian companies, resulting in 1,934 participants overall, answered to a questionnaire on the perception of noise annoyance in the remote working environment. A total of 57% of the responding workers stated to be sensitive to noise. The questionnaire was delivered online; data were recorded anonymously and then aggregated for statistical analyses. Results show that 55% of the workers perform their activity in an isolated room of the home environment, 43% in a shared room (e.g., kitchen, living room), and 2% in an outdoor space, with the majority of workers (57%) performing activity without other people in the environment. Among the noise sources investigated, 25% of workers recognize the noise generated by people (e.g., talking, moving, calling, listening to music) as the main source of disturbance. The negative consequences of noise annoyance during the remote working hours are mainly related to a loss of concentration and to a difficulty in relaxing. Furthermore, workers reported to get easily irritated by noise generated from the neighborhoods or from the housemates as it tends to distract from finishing a task.

Home Environment and Noise Annoyance in a National Sample of Multi-Family Buildings in Sweden- Associations with Stress-Related Symptoms

Background: Poor acoustic condition at home can have negative health impact. The aim was to investigate home environment factors and stress symptoms associated with noise annoyance. Methods: All adults (≥18 y) registered in selected apartments in Sweden were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey including medical questions and personal factors. Totally 5775 adults participated (response rate 46%). Information on home environment was obtained through an indoor environment questionnaire. Two-level logistic regression models (individual, municipality) were performed to estimate associations.Results: Totally 11.2% reported any frequent noise at home. Voice/radio/TV/music/similar sounds from neighbours (13.2%) and scraping sound/footsteps/thumping from neighbours (16.5%) and road traffic (16.1%). Younger participants reported more noise annoyance and more stress-related symptoms. Females were more sensitive to noise from neighbours and traffic noise causing severe effects. Noise annoyance was related to tiredness, headache and difficulty concentrating (OR=1.70-8.19), and noise annoyance from many sources was related to a higher risk of symptoms. A warmer climate (OR=1.30), buildings constructed from 1961-1985 (OR=1.50-1.85), renting (OR=1.83) and living alone (OR=1.42) were related to more noise annoyance. A warmer climate (OR=1.95), higher municipality population density (OR=1.24), a longer living time (OR=1.34), construction year (1961-1975) (OR=2.42), renting (OR=1.80-2.32), living above ground floor (OR=1.45) and having a bathroom fan (OR=1.84) were associated with increased noise annoyance from neighbours. Factors associated with increased noise annoyance from installations or ventilation/fans/heat pumps included a warmer climate, higher municipality population density, construction year (1961-1995), renting and any mechanical ventilation. Higher municipality population density, construction year (especially 1961-1985) and renting were associated with more noise annoyance from traffic (OR=1.77-3.92). Renting (OR=1.73) and living above ground floor (OR=1.60) were related to more severe traffic noise effects.Conclusions: The present study shows that noise annoyance may cause stress-related symptoms. Younger age, female gender, living alone, a longer living time, a warmer climate, higher municipality population density and building factors (renting, construction period 1961-1975, living above ground floor and mechanical ventilation system) were related to more noise annoyance.

Modeling and Mapping of Combined Noise Annoyance for Aircraft and Road Traffic Based on a Partial Loudness Model

Complex transportation systems often produce combined exposure to aircraft and road noise. Depending on the noise source, the annoyance response is different, and a masking effect occurs between the noise sources within the combined noise. Considering these characteristics, partial loudness was adopted to evaluate noise annoyance. First, a partial loudness model incorporating binaural inhibition was proposed and validated. Second, short- and long-term annoyance models were developed using partial loudness. Finally, the annoyance of combined noise was visualized as a map. These models can evaluate the annoyance by considering both the intensity and frequency characteristics of the noise. In addition, it is possible to quantify the masking effect that occurs between noise sources. Combined noise annoyance maps depict the degree of annoyance of residents and show the background noise effect, which is not seen on general noise maps.