The Impact of Urban Noise Pollution on Health
For city-dwellers, noisy nights are often an unavoidable part of life. Living in crowded urban areas can make it difficult to escape the sounds of cars, sirens, and late-night activities. However, the impact of this constant noise goes beyond mere annoyance, posing significant health risks.
Urban traffic noise can significantly impact residents' health.
Megan Hiles, MD, FACP, an internal medicine physician and director of the Wellness and Prevention Clinics at National Jewish Health, has personally experienced this issue while living in Denver, a city that has become increasingly dense in recent years.
“A lot of people just dismiss noise pollution as an annoyance, especially in the city where it’s such an everyday part of life,” said Dr. Hiles. “But research shows that there can be serious health risks when you’re sleeping in a consistently noisy environment. I started thinking about what we can do to minimize these risks.”
The Health Risks of Nighttime Noise Pollution
According to Dr. Hiles, the health risks of nighttime noise pollution encompass a range of issues, from increased stress and anxiety to depression and heart problems.
“I think cardiovascular health is one of the most prominent issues we see with noise pollution,” said Dr. Hiles. “Noise exposure leads to sleep disturbance, which leads to sympathetic nervous system activation and a hormonal stress response. This response can increase the risk for cardiovascular events over time.”
Researchers have been aware of the link between nighttime noise pollution and health problems for some time. Recent studies have further highlighted this issue, making it increasingly relevant for both doctors and patients.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
Research indicates that a sound level of less than 30 to 40 decibels is optimal for a good night’s sleep. For context, the sound of light rain is approximately 40 decibels, while normal conversation occurs at around 60 decibels.
However, Dr. Hiles emphasizes that there is also a psychological aspect to consider. Individual tolerance to noise during sleep varies. Some people are more likely to tolerate noise during sleep than others.
“People have different levels of sensitivity,” said Dr. Hiles. “If it bothers you more, you're going to have that greater stress response to it. And then that's greater activation of that sympathetic nervous system, which leads to all those health consequences.”
Practical Solutions for Reducing Noise Pollution
Solutions for mitigating nighttime noise pollution are being explored from various perspectives. From a public health standpoint, researchers are investigating the potential of lower speed limits to reduce noise levels, an approach that has already been examined in Europe.
Additionally, transitioning away from gas-powered vehicles can also contribute to noise reduction in urban environments.
On an individual level, there are several practical steps you can take to create natural sound barriers in your home:
- Using heavy curtains to block light and sound
- Decorating your home with soft materials that absorb sound, such as rugs
- Adding bookshelves, as books can also absorb sound
- For more drastic measures, consider soundproof wallpapers to further reduce noise
“The most important thing is being aware that noise plays a role in your health. Then you can take steps to help fix the issue,” said Dr. Hiles.
The Mission to Provide More Personalized Medicine
Dr. Hiles remains focused on prevention, particularly regarding noise pollution and its subsequent health impacts. In 2024, she spearheaded the opening of the National Jewish Health Wellness and Prevention Clinics, which features new programs such as Concierge Medicine.
Concierge Medicine is a membership-based program that offers primary care services designed to promote health and wellness.
“I have always been passionate about primary care, about, preventing illness and intervening before things become a problem,” said Dr. Hiles. “So I was drawn to the opportunity to build a new program, shaping what an ideal primary care experience would look like for patients.
“By taking the National Jewish Health existing care model of extensive patient-physician interaction and implementing it in a primary care environment, we believe we can find new methods of care delivery that work better for patients and physicians,” said Dr. Hiles.