Noise pollution is seldom an enjoyable thing, and has been linked to raised blood pressure, sleep disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Indeed, constant exposure to increased noise levels is even linked with shorter life expectancy.

Suffice to say, cities present the greatest risk of exposure to noise pollution, with pollution levels high both in terms of noise and air pollution. Research from ETH Zurich highlights how around half of Zurich’s population is exposed to higher levels of noise pollution than recommended by the WHO.

Uneven distribution

The researchers explain, however, that this is far from evenly distributed, with lower-income people more likely to be exposed to noise pollution than their wealthier peers. They analyzed residents of Bern and Zurich in Switzerland, as well as Mainz and Hannover in Germany to compare both perceptions of noise exposure and measurements of actual exposure alongside the size and equipment of their houses.

While the analysis suggests that noise pollution is fairly evenly distributed across each of the four cities, what is not evenly distributed is the means by which people can protect themselves from the noise.

For instance, the researchers found that wealthier people often like to live in bustling neighborhoods with higher noise levels. They also tend to live in higher-quality and larger dwellings, however, and so enjoy greater protection against this noise.

“Those who earn well can afford a larger apartment and don’t have to put the bedroom on the street side,” the researchers explain. “In addition, more expensive apartments often have better windows.”

Noise sensitivity

There are also strong links between our subjective perception of noise and our personal attitude towards environmental risks as a whole.

“People who care about the environment have a more critical attitude towards noise. They’re more sensitive to it, and they feel disturbed more quickly and more often than people who are less concerned about environmental risks,” the authors continue.

With half of the Swiss population living in cities where noise levels exceed WHO recommendations, the authors believe that noise abatement should be considered a key part of health policy.

“Since people with lower incomes in particular are less able to protect themselves against noise, city policy should give high priority to traffic calming, noise-reducing construction measures and the promotion of high-quality soundproof windows,” they conclude.