title: Long-term exposure to road traffic noise and myocardial infarction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An association has been reported between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), but the evidence is limited and inconclusive. No previous study has simultaneously analyzed the role of exposure to noise and air pollution from road traffic in the risk of MI.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based case-control study on MI was conducted 1992-1994 in Stockholm County. Participants answered a questionnaire and underwent a physical examination. Residential exposure to noise and air pollution from road traffic between 1970 and 1992-1994 was assessed for 3666 participants (1571 cases of MI and 2095 controls), based on residential history combined with information on traffic intensity and distance to nearby roads. Information was also obtained on factors potentially affecting the relationship between noise exposure and MI, such as noise annoyance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The correlation between long-term individual exposure to noise and air pollution from traffic was high (r = 0.6). The adjusted odds ratio for MI associated with long-term road traffic noise exposure of 50 dBA or higher was 1.12 (95% confidence interval = 0.95-1.33). In a subsample, defined by excluding persons with hearing loss or exposure to noise from other sources, the corresponding odds ratio was 1.38 (1.11-1.71), with a positive exposure-response trend. No strong effect modification was apparent by sex or cardiovascular risk factors, including air pollution from road traffic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results lend some support to the hypothesis that long-term exposure to road traffic noise increases the risk for MI.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. jenny.selander@ki.se
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Selander
authors.forename: Mats E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Gösta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bluhm
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenlund
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindqvist
authors.forename: Gun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nise
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pershagen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009624:Noise, Transportation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013995:Time