An increased risk for myocardial infarction related to exposure to road traffic noise has been reported in some studies but the evidence is still conflicting. The objective is to perform a longitudinal study on noise exposure and myocardial infarction, including high quality medical data, extensive control of potential confounders and refined exposure assessments on an individual basis. The study is based on a case-control study in Stockholm between 1992-1994, comprising 2,246 first time myocardial infarction cases in the ages 45-70 and 3,206 population controls matched on age, gender and hospital catchment. A postal questionnaire provided information on a large set of potential risk factors for myocardial infarction. The present investigation is focussed on 3695 subjects, with information gap of residences in Stockholm County of not more than 5 years since 1970. These subjects will be classified according to the historical levels of traffic noise at their residences. Road traffic noise exposure will be calculated for a total of about 7,700 addresses from 1970 and onwards, using retrospective data on traffic statistics and different noise level surveys. A Nordic model, where all determinants affecting noise levels are included, is used for the estimation. Beside road traffic noise, also other transportation noise sources will be assessed. To better characterise the individual noise exposure and to estimate the potential influence of subjective reactions to noise, additional information about room orientation, window opening habits and the degree of annoyance due to noise will be collected using a new questionnaire. In conclusion, this study will include a novel approach to assess individual noise in residential settings during several decades, which will be used to study the relation between longitudinal traffic noise exposure and myocardial infarction. For the covering abstract see ITRD E120462.
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