Study: Noise of cars, trains and planes can lead to depression

Traffic noise is a real health hazard, and experts now believe that regular exposure to traffic noise increases the risk of depression and anxiety disorders.

According to a study by the German Environment Agency, if road, rail and plane noise increases around a person by 10 decibels, the risk of depression can rise by up to 4%, 5% and 11%, respectively.

For anxiety disorders, the risk increases by up to 3% (for roads and trains) and 15% (for aircraft noise).

The German Federal Centre for Health Education said a person's mental health is not the only thing that can suffer from noise, but also his body.

Sleep quality declines and concentration problems occur starting at 30 dBA, the unit of measurement of sound strength related to human hearing.

Above 60 dBA, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases, and exposure to 85 decibels A of noise — about the volume of sound on a highway — can cause damage to the inner ear.

The study by the German Environment Agency shows that the risk of developing an anxiety disorder or depression is almost doubled if people wake up three or more times in the evening due to the noise of train traffic.

According to the World Health Organization, one in five Europeans are regularly exposed to levels of evening noise that can lead to major health problems.