Exposure to noise pollution is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions

The following was posted by the Noise Network Plus non profit organisation from the UK

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/noise-network-plus_noisepollution-mentalhealth-environmentalhealth-activity-7435320820555595776-wVdj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAf299sBNX4dBw066MoptYCxUcMEbxpRIaQ

On environmental noise pollution:

• exposure to environmental noise is associated with a higher prevalence of behavioural issues in children; this in turn affects their mental well-being;

• an increase in road traffic noise is correlated with a small increase in the risk of depression (3%) and anxiety (2%);

• there is a significant 2.2% increase in suicide rates per 10dB increase in railway noise.

• a meta-analysis found a 12% increase in depression risk per 10dB Lden increase in aircraft noise.

where dB = decibel. Lden indicates an annual average level during the day, evening and night. 55 dB Lden is the EU threshold for excess exposure defined in the Environmental Noise Directive. 

The good news? Reducing pollution, as outlined in the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, could significantly improve mental wellbeing across Europe. Nature-based solutions are also highlighted as powerful tools for improving mental health. As the Landscape Institute recognised as long ago as 2013 in its Public Health and Landscape position statement, there is "an increasingly strong evidence base [that] demonstrates the positive effects that access to good-quality landscapes has on our health and wellbeing – and the negative effects when we don’t”.