Futures research demand
As with every scientific examination, the Study on Health Risks not only answered questions, but also brought up new ones. In particular, the authors of the study see further need for research in five areas.
Futures research demand
As every scientific examination, the study on health risks not only answered questions, but also brought up new ones. The authors of the study see further need for research in five areas particularly.
1 | What is the role of the maximum noise level?
Noise effect studies use mostly the continuous noise level – an average of number and volume of “noise vents”. The study on health risks suggests that the maximum noise level – i.e. the maximum volume of individual noise – may also influence the health risks, especially for aviation, but also for railway noise. Future traffic noise studies should deal with the question of how to use both measures to better describe the effect of traffic noise.
2 | More research required on traffic noise and depression
The clear connection between traffic noise and depression, as well as the reducing risk at higher aviation or railway noise, give reason for further research. Future studies should deal, for example, with whether persons bothered by noise will more often move to calmer areas and whether depressive diseases will influence moving.
3 | Does traffic noise influence the progression of diseases?
Future studies should deal with the question of what influence traffic noise has not only on the occurrence of the disease, but also its progression.
4 | After what time will traffic noise increase the health risk?
5 | Connection between aviation noise and breast cancer?
The results suggest only a possible influence of high nocturnal aviation noise exposure on the breast cancer risk. Whether there actually is a connection should be determined by future studies.