Investigating the Effects of Noise Exposure on Stress Hormone Responses in Children

摘要

Chronic aircraft noise exposure in children has been associated with raised levels of catecholamines. This paper reports the results of salivary cortisol samples and overnight urinary catecholamines and cortisol from two studies of children in schools exposed to high levels of aircraft noise around Heathrow Airport and children from matched schools exposed to low levels of aircraft noise. These stress-related hormones did not differ between children exposed to high and low levels of aircraft noise after adjustment for confounding factors. The reasons for the lack of association with noise exposure are discussed including lack of noise effects, methodological issues, insufficient sensitivity of methods and adaptation.