Road-Traffic Noise: Annoyance, Risk Perception, and Noise Sensitivity in the Finnish Adult Population

Abstract

Exposure to road-traffic noise commonly engenders annoyance, the extent of which is determined by factors not fully understood. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence and determinants of road-traffic noise annoyance and noise sensitivity in the Finnish adult population, while comparing the perceptions of road-traffic noise to exhausts as environmental health problems. Using a questionnaire that yielded responses from 1112 randomly selected adult Finnish respondents, we estimated road-traffic noise- and exhausts-related perceived exposures, health-risk perceptions, and self-reported annoyance on five-point scales, while noise sensitivity estimates were based on four questions. Determinants of noise annoyance and sensitivity were investigated using multivariate binary logistic regression and linear regression models, respectively. High or extreme noise annoyance was reported by 17% of respondents. Noise sensitivity scores approximated a Gaussian distribution. Road-traffic noise and exhausts were, respectively, considered high or extreme population-health risks by 22% and 27% of respondents. Knowledge of health risks from traffic noise, OR: 2.04 (1.09–3.82) and noise sensitivity, OR: 1.07 (1.00–1.14) were positively associated with annoyance. Knowledge of health risks (p < 0.045) and positive environmental attitudes (p < 000) were associated with higher noise sensitivity. Age and sex were associated with annoyance and sensitivity only in bivariate models. A considerable proportion of Finnish adults are highly annoyed by road-traffic noise, and perceive it to be a significant health risk, almost comparable to traffic exhausts. There is no distinct noise-sensitive population subgroup. Knowledge of health risks of road-traffic noise, and attitudinal variables are associated with noise annoyance and sensitivity.

Prevalence of hypertension and noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese coal miners

“…Observational and experimental studies suggested that noise can increase annoyance levels (2,3), undermine sleep quality and cause daytime drowsiness (4), worsen patient outcomes and staff performance in hospitals (5), and impair cognitive performance in school children (6,7). It may induce these physiological and psychosocial responses, and ultimately extra-auditory system disorders, by stimulating the hypothalamus-pituitary-endocrine system and by altering blood dynamics and hormone levels (8).…”

Citizens’ Perceptions of Environmental Noise - A Case Study

“…The comparison of people's subjective opinions and the data collected on actual noise pollution has shown that in many areas the subjectively experienced and the measured noise levels overlap. This was typical in the case of heavy road traffic, as adults are highly irritated by traffic noise and consider it a significant health risk (Okokon, et al, 2015).…”

“…Furthermore, passing mood and sensitivity can also affect people's perception of noise (Waye & Öhrström, 2002). As Okokon et al (2015) have stated, traffic noise is annoying for adults, but the same level of noise near places such as the lake mentioned above does not produce similar levels of irritation, and so is not marked on the map as a noisy place.…”

Comparison of Road Traffic Noise near High, Medium and Low Density Residential Areas in Nibong Tebal and Juru, Penang

“…Many residents exposed to outdoor traffic noise consider it unacceptable for sound sleep and amenity [3]. Road-traffic noise is a widespread environmental nuisance which affects people in their residential dwellings and workplaces [4]. Residential exposure to noise pollution, particularly road traffic noise, is an important issue because people spend 10-15 hours per day at home than other places such as office and school [5].…”