Gesundheitswesen 2010; 72 - V218
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1266410

Do proximity to high traffic and traffic noise influence blood pressure and hypertension in the general population?

K Fuks 1, M Nonnemacher 1, S Moebus 1, H Jakobs 2, C Kessler 2, R Erbel 3, K Jöckel 1 B Hoffmann 1, on behalf of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Investigator Group
  • 1Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen
  • 2Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Cologne, Cologne
  • 3Department of Cardiology, West German Heart Centre of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen

Background: Recent studies link environmental noise exposure and elevated blood pressure (BP). We aim to investigate, whether proximity to high traffic and traffic noise have an effect on BP or prevalence of hypertension in the general population. Methods: We used baseline data (2000–2003) from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study, a population-based prospective cohort in Germany (n=4814, age 45–75 years). Distances from participants' residences to roads in the highest quintile of general traffic density, of heavy-duty traffic density, and to federal/state highways were calculated. Long-term traffic noise was modeled according to the EU-directive (2002/49/EC) as weighted means: 24-hour (Lden), and 8-hour night-time (Lnight). Arterial BP was measured corresponding to the standardized protocol (WHO). Hypertension was defined as BP >140/90mmHg or antihypertensive therapy. Linear and logistic regression models were used, adjusting for city, daily temperature, season, age, gender, education, occupation, smoking, passive smoking, alcohol consumption, body-mass index, diabetes, and physical activity. Results: We included 4354 participants; 1.8% lived within 50m of a road with high general traffic, 11.7% were subjected to Lden levels >65dB. In the adjusted model, for participants living within 50m of a road with high general or high heavy-duty traffic (reference >200m) systolic BP changed by 2.1mmHg (95% CI: –2.1–6.4) and 3.1mmHg (95% CI: –1.6–7.8), respectively. No tendency was found for proximity to federal and state highways. In the highest Lden noise category (>65dB, reference 55dB), systolic BP changed by 1.0mmHg (95% CI: –0.7–2.8). Findings for Lnight were similar. The odds ratio for hypertension in participants living within 50m of a road with high general, with high heavy-duty traffic, or exposed to Lden>65dB were 1.15 (95% CI: 0.70–1.91), 1.80 (95% CI: 0.99–3.28), and 1.27 (95% CI: 1.02–1.57), respectively. Conclusions: We observed a tendency towards increased arterial BP at higher traffic noise levels and in closer proximity to highly trafficked roads.