title: Cardiovascular effects of environmental noise: research in The Netherlands.
abstract: The impact of environmental noise on public health, in The Netherlands, is limited: Less than 1% of the myocardial infarction cases per year are attributable to long-term exposure to road traffic noise. Furthermore, although the Dutch noise policy is not directed to prevent cardiovascular disease due to noise exposure, health does play a role in Dutch noise policy. These are the main conclusions of a systematic review of Dutch observational studies, investigating the possible impact of road traffic and aircraft noise exposure on the cardiovascular system. Since 1970, 14 Dutch studies were published investigating the possible impact of road traffic and aircraft noise exposure on the cardiovascular system. Within these studies a large variety of outcomes were investigated, ranging from blood pressure changes to cardiovascular mortality. The results of the studies were not consistent and only weak associations were found.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. elise.van.kempen@rivm.nl
authors.forename: Elise van
authors.initials: Ev
authors.lastname: Kempen
mesh_terms: D000401:Aircraft; D001336:Automobiles; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009624:Noise, Transportation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D011640:Public Policy