According to recent studies, being in noisy environments for extended periods can lead to the development of certain illnesses, with heart disease being a major concern.
Those who live in large cities can have their well-being and health compromised, given the recurrent exposure to noise. Ischemic heart disease is one of the most likely long-term problems. The study revealed by the European Environment Agency (EEA), mentions that there are “18 million extremely irritable Europeans and 5 million with major sleep disturbances”, due to the noise caused around them, namely by transport.
Data released last June by the EEA show that 41,000 new cases of heart disease and about 11,000 premature deaths are identified annually in Europe, secondary to prolonged exposure to noise.
The same study indicates that 20% of the European population is exposed to noise for a long time, and this percentage may still be an underestimated value.