Abstract
This study reviewed the effects of environmental noise, primarily traffic noise, on sleep and health. Indirect effects of traffic noise include sleep disturbance, insomnia, and stress reactions in the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system, leading to progression to lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension and heart disease. The effect of road traffic noise on sleep EEG is a reduction in REM sleep. The effect of intermittent track-passing noise on sleep EEG was a significant decrease in the number of spindles at a peak sound level of 45 dB, and the delta wave % decreased at a peak sound of 55 dB. Adult women living along major road with nighttime noise levels of Leq 65 dB(A) have about three times risk of insomnia. Adults living near US military bases with a Lnight 50 dB(A) or higher have a 2.5 times risk of insomnia. WHO recommendations are 45 dB for road traffic noise and 40 dB for aircraft noise. Environmental standards are established through criteria and guidelines such as technical, social, and economic considerations, coordination of related organizations, and administrative judgments and decisions. In order to minimize the health effects of environmental noise, further research and countermeasures against noise sources are necessary.
https://ror.org/02z1n9q24 
