Transportation noise and public health outcomes: biological markers and pathologies

In 2009 the World Health Organisation recommend that for the prevention of sub-clinical adverse health impacts related to night-time noise, the general population should not be exposed to noise levels greater than 40dB(A). Contemporary scientific studies exploring the relationship between transport noise and health-related outcomes have served to reinforce the veracity of this recommendation. Indeed, a number of recent studies suggest that adverse impacts begin to occur at even lower levels - somewhere in the 30-39 dB(A) range. Within the foregoing context, this paper systematically reviews the contemporary academic literature in an attempt to delineate specific biological markers and pathologies associated with noise-health outcomes as a result of transportation noise exposure. In doing so, we highlight and categorise these markers specifically for a range of emerging health impacts. By highlighting such relationships, the goal is to allows other researchers to easily identify key health-related variables in national and international data sets. By utilising this data in conjunction with noise mapping data it may be possible to determine dose-effect and burden of disease relationships more accurately for a wider range of health issues in specific cities across Europe.