Subjective annoyance caused by environmental noise.
We developed an acoustic study implemented throughout a neighborhood of Valencia (Spain). Acoustic recordings were made during the months of November and December 1989, on workdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., and between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. We also directly interviewed individuals living in this city area to determine their perception of noise and to evaluate the discomfort caused by it in daily life. A personal interview in the form of a questionnaire was employed to poll the neighborhood inhabitants on the magnitude of environmental noise and the distress it caused. The results showed that 40% of those interviewed considered environmental noise to cause considerable distress. On a 1 to 10 scale, over half of those interviewed rated noise in the neighborhood of 5 or higher. Traffic was considered the major source of noise, followed by noise from neighbors and factories. Of those interviewed, 9% changed the location of their bedroom as a result of noise, whereas 11% were forced to sleep with the windows closed for the same reason.
Aparicio-Ramon
D V
DV
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Valencia, Spain.
Morales Suarez-Varela
M M
MM
Garcia Garcia
A
A
Llopis Gonzalez
A
A
Ruano
L
L
Sanchez
A M
AM
Ferrer Caraco
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires