News

Reports highlight the effects of 'noise' on human health

09/02/2010

Two reports published last year highlight the link between noise and the effects on human health.

Institute of Acoustics’ member Bernard Berry and Dr Ian Flindell were commissioned by Defra to undertake a review of research into links between noise and health. Nicole Porter an independent consultant was also part of the project team.

Estimating Dose-Response Relationships between Noise Exposure and Human Health in the UK was produced and looked at the detrimental impacts from noise pollution including annoyance, adverse health impacts, and slower learning rates in children.

The reports are available on Defra’s website: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/igcb/healthreport.htm

Bernard Berry and Ian Flindell were also involved in an ad-hoc expert group which also published Environmental Noise and Health in the UK in July.

The report prepared by the expert group at the request of the Department of Health, examines the evidence linking noise and annoyance; cardio-vascular disease, mental illness and impairment of development of cognitive functions among children.

The report notes an increase in evidence showing an association between environmental noise and raised blood pressure and coronary heart disease.