Construction site noise linked to heart attacks

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Health and also in Development

A new study has linked construction site noise to health problems, including heart attacks.

Danish researchers have suggested that every 10dB increase in noise exposure amplifies the chance of heart attack by 12 percent.

The findings back up long-held worries from within the construction industry, where powerful tools can generate sounds of up to 85dB.

Experts are now demanding that authorities use the research to regulate noise levels on building sites.

Peter Wilson, from noise reduction experts Echo Barrier, stressed that while this particular  study was primarily based on traffic noise “the outcome  raises concerns for any types of noise which increase stress and sleep disturbances, which, in turn, may lead to more heart attacks.

"This includes construction sites and maintenance works, the noise from which can become intrusive to people’s lives. We already know that in the UK there are 170,000 people who have deafness or reduced hearing due to excessive noise at work.

“We are working alongside bodies such as the World Health Organisation and the Noise Attenuation Society to raise awareness of the health implications of noise and the duty of care that contractors and local councils have to their residents and their employees when works are taking place.”