--- title: "Long-term exposure to traffic noise and mortality: a systematic…" description: "Long-term road traffic noise may be weakly associated with ischemic heart disease mortality, but evidence for other mortality outcomes and traffic noise…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33307398.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33307398.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33307398.html" type: "study" study_key: "d33307398" journal: "Environ Pollut" year: 2020 pmid: "33307398" doi: "10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116222" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Long-term exposure to traffic noise and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Long-term exposure to traffic noise and mortality: a… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33307398.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d33307398 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Environ Pollut | | Year | 2020 | | PMID | [33307398](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33307398/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116222](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116222) | | Study key | d33307398 | ## Takeaway Long-term road traffic noise may be weakly associated with ischemic heart disease mortality, but evidence for other mortality outcomes and traffic noise sources is generally weak. ## The question Does long-term exposure to road, rail, and aircraft traffic noise affect non-accidental and cardiovascular mortality? ## Hypothesis The study aimed to update the evidence base regarding the association between long-term traffic noise exposure and mortality outcomes. ## Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE for literature published between January 1, 2000, and October 5, 2020. Thirteen studies were selected, and risk estimates were converted to per 10 dB higher L for each traffic source. Inverse-Variance heterogeneity (I-Vhet) meta-analysis was used to pool risk estimates, with sensitivity and subgroup analyses performed. ## Results For road traffic noise, the pooled relative risk (RR) per 10 dB higher L for non-accidental mortality was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.05), for CVD mortality was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.05), for ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.08), and for stroke mortality was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.14). A possible threshold of 53 dB was visually suggested for CVD-related mortality from road traffic noise. Pooled estimates for aircraft noise were based on fewer studies and varied by outcome. ## Conclusion Evidence for long-term exposure to traffic noise on mortality remains weak, with the exception of the association between road traffic noise and IHD mortality. The overall quality of evidence was generally very low to low, except for CVD or IHD mortality, which was rated as moderate. ## Limitations The overall quality of evidence for most meta-analyses was rated as very low to low. Pooled estimates for aircraft noise were based on fewer studies. ## Verbatim from the abstract > evidence of long-term exposure to road traffic noise on ischaemic heart disease mortality ## Pooled Relative Risk per 10 dB Higher L for Road Traffic Noise and Mortality | Measure | Pooled Relative Risk (RR) | | --- | --- | | Non-accidental mortality | 1.01 | | CVD mortality | 1.01 | | IHD mortality | 1.03 | | Stroke mortality | 1.05 | *The chart shows the pooled relative risk (RR) for different mortality outcomes per 10 dB higher L of road traffic noise exposure.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Anti-Noise White-Noise Sleep System | Emerging evidence | [Anti-Noise White-Noise Sleep System](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/196.md) | ## Reference 1. **Long-term exposure to traffic noise and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis** Environ Pollut 2020 · [PMID 33307398](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33307398/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116222](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116222) > evidence of long-term exposure to road traffic noise on ischaemic heart disease mortality ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33307398.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33307398.html","name":"Long-term exposure to traffic noise and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis","description":"Long-term road traffic noise may be weakly associated with ischemic heart disease mortality, but evidence for other mortality outcomes and traffic noise…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33307398.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Long-term exposure to traffic noise and mortality: a…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33307398.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33307398.html#study","name":"Long-term exposure to traffic noise and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis","headline":"Long-term exposure to traffic noise and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis","datePublished":"2020","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Environ Pollut"},"identifier":"PMID:33307398","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33307398/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116222","abstract":"Long-term road traffic noise may be weakly associated with ischemic heart disease mortality, but evidence for other mortality outcomes and traffic noise sources is generally weak."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Anti-Noise White-Noise Sleep System](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/196.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Evidence: reduces nighttime noise exposure](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s196.md) - [WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines: Environmental Noise and Cardiovascular and Metabolic…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29470452.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).