Increased prevalence of hypertension in a population exposed to aircraft noise

Objectives-To investigate whether there is a relation between residential e xposure to aircraft noise and hypertension. Methods - The study population comprised two random samples of subjects age d 19-80 years, one including 266 residents in the vicinity of Stockholm Arl anda airport, and another comprising 2693 inhabitants in other parts of Sto ckholm county. The subjects were classified according to the time weighted equal energy and maximum aircraft noise levels at their residence. A questi onnaire provided information on individual characteristics including histor y of hypertension. Results-The prevalence odds ratio for hypertension adjusted for age, sex, s moking, and education was 1.6 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0 to 2.5) among those with energy averaged aircraft noise levels exceeding 55 dBA, a nd 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.8) among those with maximum aircraft noise levels e xceeding 72 dBA. An exposure-response relation was suggested for both expos ure measures. The exposure to aircraft noise seemed particularly important for older subjects and for those not reporting impaired hearing ability. Conclusions-Community exposure to aircraft noise may be associated with hyp ertension.