Aircraft noise and incidence of hypertension: A study around Stockholm Arlanda airport

摘要

The number of people living in the vicinity of large airports is steadily growing and complaints due to aircraft noise are rising. Recent studies indicate that aircraft noise exposure increases the risk of hypertension, but there are few studies of longitudinal design. There are also uncertainties regarding potential gender differences and important modifying factors. Our aim was to investigate the cumulative incidence of hypertension in relation to aircraft noise exposure among men and women in Stockholm County. The present study comprised 4721 subjects aged 35-56 years at baseline, who were followed for a period of 8-10 years. The study population was based on the Stockholm Diabetes Preventive Program and half of the participants had a family history of diabetes. Residential aircraft noise exposure, expressed as time weighted equal energy level (L_(den)), was assessed by geographical information systems. Incident cases of hypertension were identified by blood pressure measurements at baseline and follow-up, and data from questionnaires. There was no significant increased risk of hypertension for subjects exposed to >=50 dB(A) L_(den) considering the overall population. However, when restricting the cohort to those not smoking or using snuff at the blood pressure measurements, a significant increase in risk per 5 dB(A) was shown in males. Analyses of effect modification indicated an effect primarily among subjects annoyed by aircraft noise. Our findings suggest an increased risk of hypertension following long-term aircraft noise exposure among men but not in women. Annoyance due to aircraft noise seems to be an important modifying factor.