One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
All This Horn-Honking And Tire-Screeching Might Shorten Our Lives
(Photo by Gary Kavanagh via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
A recent study shows that listening to the bustling noises of L.A. traffic might be shortening your life. The study, which comes from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London and King's College London, suggests that constant exposure to the tire-squealing, horn-blaring soundscape of congested metro areas increases your risk of heart attack or death, the L.A. Times reports.
Their research shows that those who are exposed to moderately loud or very loud traffic noises throughout the day over an extended period of time have a 4% greater risk of "death from any cause." This is specifically referring to noise levels of 60 decibels or higher as compared to more tranquil places. Risk of ischemic heart disease increases by 3% in adults and 4% among the elderly. This specifically refers to noise levels of 55-60 decibels, as compared to areas where daytime noise level are under 55 decibels.
Why is this so? Well, researchers think it's because listening to that much tire-screeching and engine-revving can cause your blood pressure to shoot up and increase the levels of stress hormones. This can lead to elevated stress and trouble sleeping.
Not everyone may be as sensitive to these noises, but if you're looking to distance yourself from the chaos, experts suggest blocking it out with white noise or music, and by sealing passageways in your home that allow in more noise. Other advice includes deep breathing, regular exercise and a healthy diet to decrease stress and maintain your health.
You can also use HowLoud to see the sound score in a particular area. This application measures the sound by building a 3D map of the buildings and the roads around addresses typed in by the user to determine how loud the area is.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
