Copenhagen – A recent scientific study published in JAMA Neurology has found a link between long-term exposure to road and traffic noise and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The study is among the largest to examine the impact of environmental noise pollution on brain health.
Researchers tracked the health records of more than 3.1 million people in Denmark from 2000 to 2017. They compared noise levels near people’s homes to later diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease. Over the course of the study, the team identified more than 20,000 cases of Parkinson’s.
Results showed that people who lived in areas with higher noise levels for extended periods were more likely to develop Parkinson’s than those in quieter neighborhoods. The data revealed that for every 11.5 decibel increase in traffic noise, the risk of developing Parkinson’s grew by roughly 3 percent, even after accounting for other factors such as air pollution, living standards, and education.
The study also noted that having a “quiet side” in the home—like bedrooms facing an inner courtyard away from the street—helped reduce risk. While the findings do not prove a direct causal relationship, scientists believe that ongoing noise exposure may trigger disease processes in the body. These include sleep disturbances, chronic stress, and inflammation, which negatively affect the brain’s dopamine-producing nerve cells.
The researchers called for using urban planning as a preventive measure in large cities. They recommended better building insulation, managing traffic flow, and designing residential units with sound-buffering spaces to reduce the health impacts of noise pollution.