Can traffic noise increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

Living beside busy roads? Long-term exposure to road traffic noise can do more to your health than just disturb your sleep. Like what?

It can increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, a disorder that damages brain cells and the nervous system, as per a large Danish study published in JAMA Neurology.

What does the study say?

The study, titled “Road Traffic Noise, Noise Difference Between Residential Facades, and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease”, covered over 3.1 million adults in Denmark over nearly two decades.

The study found that long-term exposure to the roar of road traffic could be linked to a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers found that people who live not on a busy road, mainly in quieter areas, seemed to have a lower risk despite living in noisy neighbourhoods.

For context, traffic noise is generally measured between 40 and 60 decibels on quiet residential streets, rising to 70 decibels or higher on busy roads and highways.

What have researchers said?

“Long-term exposure to road traffic noise was associated with higher PD risk. Having a quiet façade mitigated this association,” the researchers wrote as quoted by Inc.

More from Health

According to the authors, “Our results support the hypothesis that prolonged exposure to environmental noise may contribute to neurodegeneration through chronic stress pathways and sleep disruption.”

The researchers concluded, “These findings suggest that reducing traffic noise and ensuring access to quieter residential environments may contribute not only to better cardiovascular health, but also to conditions such as Parkinson’s,” as quoted by Outlook.

“The study of [difference in noise levels] is interesting as it highlights a dimension of noise issue that noise at home is not uniform and people can mitigate by moving to different rooms,” Dr Peter Chan, a senior researcher in environmental epidemiology at Nuffield Department of Population Health, who was not involved in the study, said, adding the findings were not unexpected, the Guardian reported.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that gradually worsens over time. It occurs when the brain’s dopamine-producing nerve cells slowly stop functioning. Dopamine is a key chemical messenger that plays a crucial role in controlling movement.

The condition is best known for symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and difficulty with balance and coordination.

It can also cause a range of non-motor symptoms, including sleep disturbances, mood changes, anxiety and depression.

The disease is among the most common neurological disorders. Around 90,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with it each year, and an estimated 1 to 1.5 million people are currently living with the condition.

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but available treatments can help manage symptoms.

What other health hazards does traffic cause?

High stress: Congestion can trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response, increasing stress levels, frustration and anxiety.

Mental health: Prolonged exposure to heavy traffic can contribute to persistent low mood, irritability, road rage and even depression.

Noise pollution: Constant exposure to honking, engine noise and roaring sounds can disrupt sleep, strain hearing and increase the risk of high blood pressure.

How can it be prevented?

While there is no cure for the condition, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Medications are the main treatment, including carbidopa–levodopa, Dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors, Amantadine, and Anticholinergic medications.

With inputs from agencies