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. 2015 Jan 29;12(2):1612-28.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph120201612.

Annoyance, sleep and concentration problems due to combined traffic noise and the benefit of quiet side

Theo Bodin  1 , Jonas Björk  2 , Jonas Ardö  3 , Maria Albin  4
Affiliations

Annoyance, sleep and concentration problems due to combined traffic noise and the benefit of quiet side

Theo Bodin et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Access to a quiet side in one's dwelling is thought to compensate for higher noise levels at the most exposed façade. It has also been indicated that noise from combined traffic sources causes more noise annoyance than equal average levels from either road traffic or railway noise separately.

Methods: 2612 persons in Malmö, Sweden, answered to a residential environment survey including questions on outdoor environment, noise sensitivity, noise annoyance, sleep quality and concentration problems. Road traffic and railway noise was modeled using Geographic Information System.

Results: Access to a quiet side, i.e., at least one window facing yard, water or green space, was associated with reduced risk of annoyance OR (95%CI) 0.47 (0.38-0.59), and concentration problems 0.76 (0.61-0.95). Bedroom window facing the same environment was associated to reduced risk of reporting of poor sleep quality 0.78 (0.64-1.00). Railway noise was associated with reduced risk of annoyance below 55 dB(A) but not at higher levels of exposure.

Conclusions: Having a window facing a yard, water or green space was associated to a substantially reduced risk of noise annoyance and concentration problems. If this window was the bedroom window, sleeping problems were less likely.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proportion annoyed due to combined sources of noise for different noise level categories.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Predicted proportion of annoyed due to traffic noise and access to quiet side. Based on three separate logistic regression models (unadjusted models).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Proportion annoyed due to road traffic or railway noise, by noise sensitivity and access to quiet side at different noise level categories.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Proportion annoyed due to road traffic or railway noise grouped by noise level and dominant noise source. (B) Predicted proportion of annoyed due to road traffic or railway noise, based on three separate logistic regression models (unadjusted models).
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Proportion annoyed due to road traffic or railway noise grouped by noise level and dominant noise source. (B) Predicted proportion of annoyed due to road traffic or railway noise, based on three separate logistic regression models (unadjusted models).
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