Auswirkungen von Umweltrisikofaktoren wie Lärm und Luftverschmutzung auf die psychische Gesundheit: Was wissen wir?

Background: Although plausible from a pathophysiological point of view, robust evidence for effects of transportation noise on mental health remains scarce. Meanwhile, psychiatric diseases are among the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases worldwide, and suicide as a mortality outcome highly connected to mental disorders presents a pressing public health issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between source-specific transportation noise, particulate matter (PM) air pollution, residential greenness, and suicide by means of a nationwide cohort study. Methods: Road traffic, railway and aircraft noise exposure as well as exposure to air pollution [PM with aerodynamic diameter ( )] and greenness [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)] were linked to 5.1 million adults (age 15 y and older) in the Swiss National Cohort, accounting for their address history. Mean noise exposure in 5-y periods was calculated. Individuals were followed for up to 15 y (2001–2015). Time-varying Cox regression models were applied to deaths by suicide (excluding assisted suicide). Models included all three noise sources, , and NDVI plus individual and spatial covariates, including socioeconomic status. Effect modification by sex, age, socioeconomic indicators, and degree of urbanization was explored. Results: During the follow-up, there were 11,265 suicide deaths (10.4% poisoning, 33.3% hanging, 28.7% firearms, 14.7% falls). Road traffic and railway noise were associated with total suicides [hazard ratios: 1.040; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.015, 1.065; and 1.022 (95% CI: 1.004, 1.041) per 10 dB day-evening-night level (Lden)], whereas for aircraft noise, a risk increase starting from 50 dB was masked by an inverse association in the very low exposure range (30–40 dB). Associations were stronger for females than males. The results were robust to adjustment for residential greenness and air pollution. Conclusion: In this longitudinal, nationwide cohort study, we report a robust association between exposure to road traffic and railway noise and risk of death by suicide after adjusting for exposure to air pollution and greenness. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that mental health disorders may be related to chronic transportation noise exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11587

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Suicide and Transportation Noise: A Prospective Cohort Study from Switzerland

Wicki

Schäffer

Wunderli

et al. 2023

Environ Health Perspect

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“…28,68,69 Additionally, heterogeneity in exposure assessments, outcome definitions and effect measures complicate a conclusive comparison of results. The consensus from the existing literature, however, is that an impact of transportation noise on mental health is highly probable, 70 which our findings further support. One difference in our results from existing evidence is that we did not find a clear association between aircraft noise and death by intentional self-harm.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Suicide and transportation noise: a prospective cohort study from Switzerland

Wicki

Schäffer

Wunderli

et al. 2022

ISEE Conference Abstracts

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BACKGROUND: Although plausible from a pathophysiological point of view, robust evidence for effects of transportation noise on mental health remains scarce. Meanwhile, psychiatric diseases are among the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases worldwide, and suicide as a mortality outcome highly connected to mental disorders presents a pressing public health issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between source-specific transportation noise, particulate matter (PM) air pollution, residential greenness, and suicide by means of a nationwide cohort study. METHODS: Road traffic, railway and aircraft noise exposure as well as exposure to air pollution [PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤2:5 lm (PM 2:5 )] and greenness [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)] were linked to 5.1 million adults (age 15 y and older) in the Swiss National Cohort, accounting for their address history. Mean noise exposure in 5-y periods was calculated. Individuals were followed for up to 15 y (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015). Time-varying Cox regression models were applied to deaths by suicide (excluding assisted suicide). Models included all three noise sources, PM 2:5 , and NDVI plus individual and spatial covariates, including socioeconomic status. Effect modification by sex, age, socioeconomic indicators, and degree of urbanization was explored. RESULTS: During the follow-up, there were 11,265 suicide deaths (10.4% poisoning, 33.3% hanging, 28.7% firearms, 14.7% falls). Road traffic and railway noise were associated with total suicides [hazard ratios: 1.040; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.015, 1.065; and 1.022 (95% CI: 1.004, 1.041) per 10 dB day-evening-night level (Lden)], whereas for aircraft noise, a risk increase starting from 50 dB was masked by an inverse association in the very low exposure range (30-40 dB). Associations were stronger for females than males. The results were robust to adjustment for residential greenness and air pollution. CONCLUSION: In this longitudinal, nationwide cohort study, we report a robust association between exposure to road traffic and railway noise and risk of death by suicide after adjusting for exposure to air pollution and greenness. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that mental health disorders may be related to chronic transportation noise exposure.

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“…Noise can also increase the risk of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, psychoses and suicide. 95 These place effects and other different potential causal factors need to be considered in future studies. Proximity to roads, for example, is also used as a proxy for air pollution exposure and noise.…”

Section: Methodological Issues In Air Pollution and Mental Health Res...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Air quality and mental health: evidence, challenges and future directions

et al. 2023

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Background Poor air quality is associated with poor health. Little attention is given to the complex array of environmental exposures and air pollutants that affect mental health during the life course. Aims We gather interdisciplinary expertise and knowledge across the air pollution and mental health fields. We seek to propose future research priorities and how to address them. Method Through a rapid narrative review, we summarise the key scientific findings, knowledge gaps and methodological challenges. Results There is emerging evidence of associations between poor air quality, both indoors and outdoors, and poor mental health more generally, as well as specific mental disorders. Furthermore, pre-existing long-term conditions appear to deteriorate, requiring more healthcare. Evidence of critical periods for exposure among children and adolescents highlights the need for more longitudinal data as the basis of early preventive actions and policies. Particulate matter, including bioaerosols, are implicated, but form part of a complex exposome influenced by geography, deprivation, socioeconomic conditions and biological and individual vulnerabilities. Critical knowledge gaps need to be addressed to design interventions for mitigation and prevention, reflecting ever-changing sources of air pollution. The evidence base can inform and motivate multi-sector and interdisciplinary efforts of researchers, practitioners, policy makers, industry, community groups and campaigners to take informed action. Conclusions There are knowledge gaps and a need for more research, for example, around bioaerosols exposure, indoor and outdoor pollution, urban design and impact on mental health over the life course.

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Auswirkungen von Umweltrisikofaktoren wie Lärm und Luftverschmutzung auf die psychische Gesundheit: Was wissen wir?

Cited by 6 publications

References 34 publications

Suicide and Transportation Noise: A Prospective Cohort Study from Switzerland

Suicide and Transportation Noise: A Prospective Cohort Study from Switzerland

Suicide and transportation noise: a prospective cohort study from Switzerland

Air quality and mental health: evidence, challenges and future directions

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