| Posted on: | Category: Environmental Noise
Residents of busy suburbs and neighborhoods across Chicagoland may believe they have grown accustomed to the steady noise. Research indicates this is not the case: Prolonged exposure to loud sounds causes us to be more reactive, increasing the negative impact on our health.
It's important to note that it's not only urban noise that can harm health. Even those living in quiet rural and suburban areas are at risk. A prime example is the sudden horn blast from trains passing through Chicagoland.
Why it matters
Mounting research shows that chronic environmental noise is a health threat that increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart attacks for more than 100 million Americans.
Go deeper
Read The New York Times indepth report on noise.
