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Local determinants of road traffic noise levels versus determinants of air pollution levels in a Mediterranean city

Foraster, M. and Deltell, A. and Basagana, X. and Medina-Ramon M., and Aguilera, I. and Bouso, L. and Grau, M. and Phuleria, H. C. and Rivera, M. and Slama, R. and Sunyer, J. and Targa, J. and Künzli, N.. (2011) Local determinants of road traffic noise levels versus determinants of air pollution levels in a Mediterranean city. Environmental research : ER : a journal of environmental sciences, Vol. 111, H. 1. pp. 177-183.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6002262

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Both traffic-related noise and air pollution have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Spatial correlations between these environmental stressors may entail mutual confounding in epidemiological studies investigating their long-term effects. Few studies have investigated their correlation - none in Spain - and results differ among cities. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the contribution of urban land-use and traffic variables to the noise-air pollution correlation in Girona town, where an investigation of the chronic effects of air pollution and noise on CVD takes place (REGICOR-AIR). METHODOLOGY: Outdoor annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) derived from monthly passive sampler measurements were obtained at 83 residential locations. Long-term average traffic-related noise levels from a validated model were assigned to each residence. Linear regression models were fitted both for NO(2) and noise. RESULTS: The correlation between NO(2) and noise (L(24h)) was 0.62. However, the correlation differed across the urban space, with lower correlations at sites with higher traffic density and in the modern downtown. Traffic density, distance from the location to the sidewalk and building density nearby explained 35.6% and 73.2% of the variability of NO(2) and noise levels, respectively. The correlation between the residuals of the two models suggested the presence of other unmeasured common variables. CONCLUSIONS: The substantial correlation between traffic-related noise and NO(2), endorsed by common determinants, and the dependence of this correlation on complex local characteristics call for careful evaluations of both factors to ultimately assess their cardiovascular effects
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Public Health > Sozial- und Präventivmedizin > Air Pollution and Health (Künzli)
09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) > Former Units within Swiss TPH > Air Pollution and Health (Künzli)
09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) > Former Units within Swiss TPH > Exposure Science (Tsai)
UniBasel Contributors:Phuleria, Harish Chandra and Künzli, Nino
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1096-0953
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:08 Nov 2012 16:22
Deposited On:08 Nov 2012 16:12

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