Noise | Umweltbundesamt

It has been known for a long time that constant noise can lead to cardiovascular diseases. A new study done on behalf of the German Environment Agency shows that incessant traffic noise can also increase the risk of depression. A 10-decibel increase in road, railroad and aircraft noise can raise that risk by up to four, five and eleven percent; the figure for anxiety disorder rises by three to 15 percent. UBA President Dirk Messner said, “Noise is still a grossly underestimated health risk in Germany. Many people are exposed to high levels of noise pollution which is impairing health and cutting quality of life. This is why making our cities quieter and thus more appealing is an important task for researchers and policymakers!” read more

An experimental study by the German Environment Agency (UBA) found no correlation between infrasound immissions at or below the perception threshold and acute reactions on the human body. However, the test persons classified the infrasound sounds as "somewhat" to "moderately" annoying. read more

Complaints about low-frequency noise – the so-called humming phenomenon – have risen sharply in recent years. A new guide by UBA provides advice on the ideal installation of heat pumps and the like. read more

Sleep disorders, increased blood pressure or even ringing in the ears (tinnitus) – noise can make people ill, even as early as childhood. A new interactive brochure from the UBA teaches third and fourth-year pupils about acoustics and noise in a playful way and aims to raise awareness of the problem of noise. read more