Traffic noise and air pollution from particulate matter could increase the risk of depression and anxiety disorders. This is indicated by current research results.
Evolution has programmed the human organism in such a way that it perceives noises as an indication of possible sources of danger – even during sleep. “Noise puts the body on alert,” says Manfred Beutel from the University Medical Center in Mainz. As a result, the autonomic nervous system activates stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, reacts with an increase in heart rate and blood pressure and other physiological processes.
hypertension and diabetes
If noise becomes a permanent condition, chronic diseases can develop. “In fact, observational and experimental studies have shown that persistent noise pollution promotes the occurrence of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases as well as type 2 diabetes,” says the doctor.
The World Health Organization even estimates that environmental noise – especially traffic noise – is responsible for the loss of more than a million years of healthy life through disability or premature mortality in Western Europe every year.
The negative effects of noise pollution include not only cardiovascular but also mental illnesses, as is becoming increasingly clear. “Noise pollution disrupts daily activities, disturbs feelings and thoughts, sleep and recovery,” explains the expert from the German Society for Psychosomatic Medicine and Medical Psychotherapy. The interruptions trigger negative emotional reactions such as anger, distress, exhaustion, flight impulses and stress symptoms.
“Such conditions promote the development of depression in the long run,” said Beutel.
This is confirmed by the large-scale Gutenberg health study using the example of the people of Mainz, who largely suffer from noise pollution from the nearby Frankfurt airport. “With increasing noise pollution, the rates of depression and anxiety disorders rose steadily until the risks eventually doubled in the case of extreme pollution,” says the doctor. Other studies point in the same direction. A meta-analysis found an increase in the risk of depression by twelve percent for every ten decibels in noise. Another study found a link between nocturnal noise pollution and the use of antidepressants.
Dangers in metropolitan areas
According to the Gutenberg study, people perceive noise pollution from aircraft noise as the most pronounced, followed by road, neighbourhood, industrial and railway noise. Noise occurs most frequently in urban areas that also produce air pollution – such as fine dust. “Particulate matter is also suspected of promoting anxiety and depression,” said Beutel. He advocates further studies in order to be able to prevent better.
Source: Nachrichten
