Low frequency noise in relation to health effects: A systematic review
Invited paper
RIVM
Tuesday 2 june, 2015, 11:20 - 11:40
0.4 Brussels (189)
Abstract:
The level of concern and health complaints related to low frequency noise
(LFN) are
increasing, not only in the Netherlands, but also at international level.
There is
only evidence suggesting an association between LFN and effects such as
annoyance
and sleep disturbance. For other health effects mentioned in relation to LFN
in the
literature, such as hearing loss, vertigo, balance problems, respiratory
effects
and vibro-acoustic disease there is no consensus, and only anecdotal evidence.
No
systematic evaluation of the literature has recently been performed, focusing
on
epidemiological studies and residential sources of LFN in relation to various
symptoms and well-being indicators. Therefore a systematic review of
observational
studies will be conducted to address the strength of evidence for an
association
between low frequency noise and health effects in the general population.
Literature databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, PsychInfo, Web of Science
and
Biosis and additional bibliographic sources such as reference sections of key
publications were searched for eligible studies published between 2000 and
2014. To
gain more insight into the consistency and magnitude of the examined
associations,
the possibility of meta-analyses will also be considered. The current abstract
therefore represents work in progress.