According to the findings, for every 5 dB increase in exposure to noise (road traffic, rail and aircraft) there was a 0.21cm increase in waist size.
Weight gain around the middle of the body is considered to be the most detrimental to a person’s health. Exposure to noise and its effects on health is increasingly becoming an issue for employers, local authorities and medics, all of whom are urging more action is taken to reduce noise from building projects, road and rail maintenance and traffic to in order to safeguard the health of people living and working close by.
The reality on how noise effects everyday community life means it is important for those responsible for creating excessive noise to do what is possible to minimise these impacts. The advent of large music festivals, construction sites, and infrastructure projects means that excessive noise is inescapable. Controlling excessive noise can often be difficult due to the nature of noise, and current methods are usually time consuming and labour intensive; an unattractive solution for organisations.
Echo Barrier, leaders in noise reduction solutions for the construction industry, traffic and music events are working hard to educate those making noise about the effects it can have on the lives of those living, working and playing nearby.
Recent research into the effects of noise on health has also revealed that it can lead to insomnia, raised blood pressure and stress Peter Wilson, Technical Director of Echo Barrier said: “We’ve long known that exposure to excessive noise has a direct affect in health, but the link between noise and gaining weight is a fascinating one. It adds to the increasingly strong argument that noise reduction solutions should be used on any noisy project where possible to reduce the inconvenience and effects on local people. “It also adds to the responsibilities that employers have to their employees and the communities in which they work – to keep the peace and reduce costs on our already stretched health service.”
Echo Barrier offers high tech, market leading solutions for controlling excessive noise. Their systems make noise management simple, fast and highly effective.
Barriers are flexible, provide exceptional acoustic performance, are easy to store, transport and fit. They were recently recognised by the Noise Abatement Society and have also been shortlisted for a London Construction award.
For more information about Echo Barrier visit www.echobarrier.co.uk The study can be found here: http://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2015/04/28/oemed-2014-102516.short?g=w_oem_ahead_tab