CORVALLIS, Ore. – A pioneering study conducted by scientists from Oregon State University (OSU) has uncovered unsettling levels of noise pollution across various neighborhoods in Portland, suggesting potential health risks for residents.
This groundbreaking research represents the first comprehensive investigation of its kind in the United States, aiming to establish a framework that can be utilized to assess noise pollution in cities across the country, which significantly lags behind European nations in its examination of the effects of noise on human health.
The study, directed by assistant professor Matthew Bozigar and graduate student Carson Mowrer from the OSU College of Health, highlights a concerning correlation between the loudest parts of Portland and areas characterized by higher social vulnerability, including lower incomes and a greater concentration of non-white residents.
The findings from this research, published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, are alarming.
According to Bozigar, who specializes in environmental epidemiology, “Many people in the United States still think of noise as just a nuisance, not a real health risk.”
He points out that European studies indicate that noise is the second largest environmental threat to health, following air pollution, and is linked to various health issues such as sleep disturbances, cognitive impairments, mental health disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.
Despite this, the extent of knowledge regarding noise’s health effects in the U.S. is notably limited, as very little research has been conducted on this topic.
Moreover, existing American cities, transportation systems, and traffic patterns are significantly different from those in Europe, making it inappropriate to assume that the same noise-related health risks apply in the U.S.
“There is still much to learn about how noisy our communities, including Portland, really are,” Bozigar added, emphasizing the need for this study.
As part of addressing this gap, the researchers, including OSU’s Andrew Larkin and Perry Hystad, partnered with the Multnomah County Health Department to conduct one of the most comprehensive assessments of noise in an American city to date.
Utilizing advanced digital monitors capable of recording sound levels around the clock, the study captured crucial noise patterns, particularly during night hours, when excessive noise can greatly disrupt sleep and contribute to adverse health outcomes.
The analysis revealed that much of the monitored areas in Portland, which spans 145 square miles with a population of 635,000 and a metro area exceeding 2.1 million, surpassed noise guidelines established by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization.
Mowrer noted, “The analysis helped us identify several distinct types of noise environments across the city, such as consistently quiet areas, zones with unpredictable loud bursts of noise, and locations consistently subjected to high noise levels.”
Interestingly, these noise patterns did not always correspond with traditional city zoning categories, such as residential or commercial.
In some instances, noise levels could vary even from one block to the next, with proximity to high-traffic roads appearing to be the most influential factor on noise patterns.
The researchers contend that the findings offer an enhanced understanding of noise exposure across diverse neighborhoods and land uses within a medium-sized U.S. city.
The datasets generated serve as a valuable foundation for local decision-making and can inform future health studies.
Further investigations into noise exposure and residents’ experiences in urban areas could enable urban planners and public health officials to implement more effective measures to mitigate noise exposure, particularly in the most affected communities.
Mowrer, reflecting on his experience, expressed, “Even as a native of the metro area, I saw many new parts of the city I hadn’t seen before while setting up and taking down the sound level monitors.”
He recounted interactions with residents who were interested and supportive of the initiative, sharing personal anecdotes about how noise had impacted their lives.
The field measurements for this critical project commenced in August 2023 and will continue until August 2024.
Additionally, scientists from the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Boston University, and the Multnomah County Health Department contributed to this significant research, which was funded by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant awarded to Multnomah County.
This study marks the first part of a two-part project, with a second manuscript on the city’s noise profile at a resolution of 10 meters yet to be published.
Multnomah County is also preparing an interactive online map to share this critical information with the public.
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