EU Report: Does noise pollution increase depression?
Environmental noise such as that from aeroplanes, industry and traffic is likely to cause depression and anxiety in some people, according to a study in Germany.
Whilst the results do not prove that noise is a cause of mental health issues, the report does suggest, however, that there is a possible link.
Industrial and environmental noise is now recognised as an environmental problem. Though regulated in Europe under the EU’s Environmental Noise Directive, it can also be linked with cardiovascular health problems, including heart disease, heart failure and stroke.
Such noise can cause irritation, which is often associated with stress-related emotions such as distress and exhaustion. The study, undertaken in and around the city of Mainz, has considered whether this irritation and potential stress could lead to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. It also explored the annoyance levels caused by different sources of noise.
Researchers analysed questionnaires completed by 14,635 residents aged between 35 and 74 between 2007 and 2012. Mainz residents were asked how annoyed they had been as a result of environmental noise coming from road traffic; aircraft; railways; industry/construction; neighbourhood indoor noise; and neighbourhood outdoor noise.
About one fifth (20.7%) reported no annoyance to the sources of environmental noise; just over a quarter (26.6%) reported slight annoyance, a quarter (25%) reported moderate annoyance; 17.3% reported strong annoyance; and 10.5% said they had been extremely annoyed by environmental noise.
Of all the types of noise considered in the study, aircraft noise was reported to be the most annoying.
The researchers conclude that the results are ‘compatible’ with the hypothesis that annoyance leads to stress, depression and anxiety, and will continue to monitor annoyance levels with regular follow-up studies.
Further information can be found here.
