OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of long term exposure to airborne pollutants on the incidence of acute coronary events in 11 cohorts participating in the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE). DESIGN: Prospective cohort studies and meta-analysis of the results. SETTING: Cohorts in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Italy. PARTICIPANTS: 100 166 people were enrolled from 1997 to 2007 and followed for an average of 11.5 years. Participants were free from previous coronary events at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Modelled concentrations of particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), 2.5-10 μm (PMcoarse), and <10 μm (PM10) in aerodynamic diameter, soot (PM2.5 absorbance), nitrogen oxides, and traffic exposure at the home address based on measurements of air pollution conducted in 2008-12. Cohort specific hazard ratios for incidence of acute coronary events (myocardial infarction and unstable angina) per fixed increments of the pollutants with adjustment for sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors, and pooled random effects meta-analytic hazard ratios. RESULTS: 5157 participants experienced incident events. A 5 μg/m(3) increase in estimated annual mean PM2.5 was associated with a 13% increased risk of coronary events (hazard ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.98 to 1.30), and a 10 μg/m(3) increase in estimated annual mean PM10 was associated with a 12% increased risk of coronary events (1.12, 1.01 to 1.25) with no evidence of heterogeneity between cohorts. Positive associations were detected below the current annual European limit value of 25 μg/m(3) for PM2.5 (1.18, 1.01 to 1.39, for 5 μg/m(3) increase in PM2.5) and below 40 μg/m(3) for PM10 (1.12, 1.00 to 1.27, for 10 μg/m(3) increase in PM10). Positive but non-significant associations were found with other pollutants. CONCLUSIONS: Long term exposure to particulate matter is associated with incidence of coronary events, and this association persists at levels of exposure below the current European limit values.

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Long term exposure to ambient air pollution and incidence of acute coronary events: prospective cohort study and meta-analysis in 11 European cohorts from the ESCAPE Project

Objective:Reviews have suggested that road noise exposure is associated with high blood pressure (hypertension). No reliable exposure–response relationship is as yet available. A meta-analysis was carried out in order to derive a quantitative exposure–response relationship between the exposure to ro

The quantitative relationship between road traffic noise and hypertension: a meta-analysis.

Epidemiological studies suggest that long-term exposure to road traffic noise increases the risk of cardiovascular dis- orders. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between exposure to road traffic noise and risk for stroke, which has not been studied before. Methods and results In a population-based cohort of 57 053 people, we identified 1881 cases of first-ever stroke in a national hospital register between 1993-1997 and 2006. Exposure to road traffic noise and air pollution during the same period was estimated for all cohort members from residential address history. Associations between exposure to road traffic noise and stroke incidence were analysed in a Cox regression model with stratification for gender and calen- dar-year and adjustment for air pollution and other potential confounders. We found an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 1.14 for stroke (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.25) per 10 dB higher level of road traffic noise (Lden). There was a statistically significant interaction with age (P , 0.001), with a strong association between road traffic noise and stroke among cases over 64.5 years (IRR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.13-1.43) and no association for those under 64.5 years (IRR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.91-1.14). Conclusion Exposure to residential road traffic noise was associated with a higher risk for stroke among people older than 64.5 years of age.

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Road traffic noise and stroke: a prospective cohort study

Annoyance due to aircraft noise has increased over the years--results of the HYENA study.

Background:Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) describes the intermediate state between normal cognitive aging and dementia. Adverse effects of air pollution (AP) on cognitive functions have been propo...

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Long-Term Air Pollution and Traffic Noise Exposures and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study.

Mit der Veroeffentlichung im Amtsblatt der Europaeischen Gemeinschaften ist die "Richtlinie des Europaeischen Parlaments und des Rates ueber die Bewertung und die Bekaempfung von Umgebungslaerm" in Kraft getreten. Die Europaeische Gemeinschaft hat damit erstmalig eine rechtliche Regelung hinsichtlich der Geraeuschimmissionen in der Umwelt erlassen. Die Richtlinie soll ein gemeinsames Konzept festlegen, um schaedliche Auswirkungen, einschliesslich Belaestigung, durch Umgebungslaerm zu verhindern, ihnen vorzubeugen oder sie zu mindern. Sie soll weiterhin eine Grundlage fuer die Einfuehrung von Gemeinschaftsmassnahmen zur Laermminderung bei den wichtigsten Laermquellen darstellen. Die Anforderungen der Richtlinie werden vorgestellt und erklaert, und es werden erste Ansaetze fuer ein Umsetzungskonzept dargestellt. (A) ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: The "Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise" has been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities and thus entered into force. The aim of this Directive shall be to define a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental noise. It shall also aim at providing a basis for developing Community measures to reduce noise emitted by the major sources. The requirements of the Directive are presented and discussed and first ideas concerning the transposition in national legislation are given. (A)

Die EG-Richtlinie zur Bewertung und Bekaempfung von Umgebungslaerm / The European Directive relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise

V K Irmer

Papers

Die EG-Richtlinie zur Bewertung und Bekaempfung von Umgebungslaerm / The European Directive relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise