Thread by @NotSoLoudPVD

“The honking of horns and revving of engines doesn’t just affect those in the vehicles — it can also raise the #bloodpressure of people living near the road.” #trafficnoise #noisekills @CityofProv @PVDMayor @PVDCityCouncil @HealthyPVD @Brown_SPH @RIHealth cnn.com/2023/03/22/hea…

“Previous research had shown a connection between road #trafficnoise and an increased risk of #hypertension (#highbloodpressure), but it was still unclear whether it was the #noise or the pollution from the traffic that was the cause. Now, researchers say they have the evidence.”

“The results ... surprised researchers. People living near road #trafficnoise were not only more likely to develop #highbloodpressure, but the risk of this outcome increased with the ‘dose’ of #noise, even when researchers adjusted for fine particles and nitrogen dioxide.”

“Because areas that are noisy tend to have a high level of #airpollution as well, one question that arose is whether each is independently contributing to risk, and this was indeed the case. Living in noisy and polluted zones amplified the risk of #hypertension.” @HumanImpact_HIP

“Policymaking towards road-traffic #noisecontrol as a societal effort would be helpful, such as setting stricter #noise guidelines and enforcement, improving road conditions and urban design, and investing advanced technology on quieter vehicles such as EVs (electric vehicles).”