Green space,health inequality and pregnancy

Green spaces have been suggested to improve physical and mental health and well-being by increasing physical activity, reducing air pollution, noise, and ambient temperature, increasing social contacts and relieving psychophysiological stress. Although these mechanisms also suggest potential beneficial effects of green spaces on pregnancy outcomes, to our knowledge there is no available epidemiological evidence on this impact. We investigated the effects of surrounding greenness and proximity to major green spaces on birth weight and gestational age at delivery and described the effect of socioeconomic position (SEP) on these relationships. This study was based on a cohort of births (N = 8246) that occurred in a major university hospital in Barcelona, Spain, during 2001–2005. We determined surrounding greenness from satellite retrievals as the average of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in a buffer of 100 m around each maternal place of residence. To address proximity to major green spaces, a binary variable was used to indicate whether maternal residential address is situated within a buffer of 500 m from boundaries of a major green space. For each indicator of green exposure, linear regression models were constructed to estimate change in outcomes adjusted for relevant covariates including individual and area level SEP. None of the indicators of green exposure was associated with birth weight and gestational age. After assessing effect modification based on the level of maternal education, we detected an increase in birth weight (grams) among the lowest education level group (N = 164) who had higher surrounding NDVI (Regression coefficient (95% confidence interval (CI) of 436.3 (43.1, 829.5)) or lived close to a major green space (Regression coefficient (95% CI)) of 189.8 (23.9, 355.7)). Our findings suggest a beneficial effect of exposure to green spaces on birth weight only in the lowest SEP group.     

Biomonitoring of the general population living near a modern solid waste incinerator: A pilot study in Modena,Italy

Background and goalsAs part of the authorization process for the solid waste incinerator (SWI) in Modena, Italy, a human biomonitoring cross-sectional pilot study was conducted to investigate the degree to which people living and working in the proximity of the plant were exposed to SWI emissions.MethodsBetween May and June 2010, 65 subjects living and working within 4 km of the incinerator (exposed) and 103 subjects living and working outside this area (unexposed) were enrolled in the study. Blood, serum and urinary metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg, Mn, Ni), urinary benzene, toluene, xylene (BTEX), S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), and urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed. Information about lifestyle, anthropometric characteristics, residence, and health status was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Exposure to particulate matter (PM) emitted from the SWI was estimated using fall-out maps from a quasi-Gaussian dispersion model. A multiple linear regression analysis investigated the relationship between biomarkers and the distance of a subject's place of residence from the SWI plant or the exposure to PM.ResultsUrinary BTEX and SPMA and blood, serum and urinary metals showed no differences between exposed and unexposed subjects. PAHs were higher in exposed than in unexposed subjects for phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene (median levels: 9.5 vs. 7.2 ng/L, 0.8 vs. < 0.5 ng/L and 1.6 vs. 1.3 ng/L, respectively, p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that blood Cd and Hg and urinary Mn, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene and pyrene were inversely correlated to the distance of a subject's residence from the SWI. Urinary Mn, fluorene and phenanthrene were directly correlated to PM exposure.ConclusionsThis study, although not representative of the general population, suggests that specific biomarkers may provide information about the degree of exposure the subjects working and living in the proximity of the SWI plant may have to emissions from that facility.     

The influence of neighborhood traffic density on the respiratory health of elementary schoolchildren

Background

Several studies have found that living near major roadways is associated with an increase in respiratory illness but few studies have measured the volume and type of traffic.

Objective

We investigated the relation between traffic volume and respiratory health of 2328 children 9 to 11 years old in the city of Windsor, Canada.

Methods

We identified the roadways within a 200 meter radius of the child's neighborhood using the latitude and longitude of the residential postal code. Traffic exposure was defined as the sum of the annual volume of vehicles on all of these roadways. Volume was calculated using sensors to detect passing vehicles (simple traffic counts), and by counts and direction of traffic at intersections (turning movement counts). Ventilatory lung function was measured by spirometry and airway inflammation by exhaled nitric oxide (eNO).

Results

The odds ratio between an interquartile increase in truck turning movement counts and chest congestion was 1.20 (1.06-1.35). The percentage of predicted FVC declined 0.68%, (95% CI 1.32, 0.03) for an interquartile increase in simple traffic counts (33,787 vehicles daily). Among those with self-reported asthma, effect sizes were larger. Percentage predicted FEV₁ declined 1.84% (95% CI 0.07, 3.61) associated with an interquartile range increase in turning movement counts. No statistically significant change was detected between traffic measures and exhaled nitric oxide.

Conclusions

Our findings provide further support for the hypothesis that neighborhood exposure to traffic-related air pollution increases respiratory symptoms and reduces ventilatory function in children, especially those with self-reported asthma.     

Natural outdoor environments and mental and physical health: Relationships and mechanisms

BackgroundEvidence is growing for the beneficial impacts of natural outdoor environments on health. However, most of the evidence has focused on green spaces and little evidence is available on health benefits of blue spaces and about possible mediators and modifiers of such impacts. We investigated the association between natural outdoor environments (separately for green and blue spaces) and health (general and mental) and its possible mediators and modifiers.MethodsCross-sectional data from adults interviewed in Catalonia (Spain) between 2010 and 2012 as part of the Catalonia Health Survey were used. The collected data included sociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived general health, mental health, physical activity and social support. Indicators of surrounding greenness and access to natural outdoor environments within 300 m of the residence and degree of urbanization were derived for residential addresses. Associations were estimated using logistic regression and negative binominal models.ResultsGreen spaces were associated with better self-perceived general health and better mental health, independent of degree of urbanization. The associations were more consistent for surrounding greenness than for access to green spaces. The results were consistent for different buffers, and when stratifying for socioeconomic status. Slightly stronger associations were found for women and residents of non-densely populated areas. No association was found between green spaces and social contacts and physical activity. The results for blue spaces were not conclusive.ConclusionGreen spaces are associated with better general and mental health across strata of urbanization, socioeconomic status, and genders. Mechanisms other than physical activity or social support may explain these associations.     

Estimating human exposure to transport noise in central Dublin, Ireland

This paper reports on research conducted to determine estimates of the extent of environmental noise exposure from road transport on residents and workers in central Dublin, Ireland. The Harmonoise calculation method is used to calculate noise values for the study area while a Geographical Information System (GIS) is utilised as a platform upon which levels of noise exposure are estimated. Residential exposure is determined for L(den) and L(night) while worker exposure is determined for L(den). In order to analyse the potential of traffic management as a noise abatement measure, traffic was redirected from the main residential areas to alternative road links and the revised exposure levels were determined. The results show that the extent of noise exposure in Dublin is considerable, and in relative terms, it is worse for the night-time period. In addition, the results suggest also that traffic management measures have the potential to lead to significant reductions in the level of noise exposure provided that careful consideration is given to the impact of traffic flows on residential populations.     

Assessment of environmental tobacco smoke and respirable suspended particle exposures for nonsmokers in Hong Kong using personal monitoring

One hundred and ninety-four randomly selected nonsmoking subjects collected air samples in their breathing zone by wearing personal monitors for 24 h. The study was centered in Hong Kong, and comprised housewives in one group, primarily for assessing exposures in the home, and office workers in a second group to assess the contribution of the workplace to overall exposure. Samples collected were analysed for respirable suspended particles (RSP), nicotine, 3-ethenylpyridine, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) particles using ultraviolet absorbance (UVPM), fluorescence (FPM), and solanesol measurements (SolPM). Saliva cotinine analyses were also undertaken to confirm the nonsmoking status of the subjects and to investigate their correlation with ETS exposure measurements. Approximately 6% of the subjects in Hong Kong misclassified their nonsmoking status. Median time-weighted average (TWA) RSP concentrations varied from 43 to 54 μg m⁻³ with no significant differences detected between any of the groups investigated. Office workers who lived and worked with smokers were exposed to 2.6 μg m⁻³ ETS particles (SolPM) and 0.44 μg m⁻³ nicotine, based on median TWA concentrations. Median concentrations of ETS particles and nicotine were below the limits of quantification for housewives living with smokers and were not significantly different from those for housewives living with nonsmokers. It would therefore be unreliable in Hong Kong to use a smoking spouse as a marker for assessing health risks related to ETS exposure. The office workers in this study were significantly more exposed to ETS than housewives from either smoking or nonsmoking homes, and the workplace was estimated to contribute over 33% of the annual exposure to ETS particles and nicotine. Exposure estimates suggest that the most highly exposed office workers in this study receive between 11 and 50 cigarette equivalents per year, based upon upper decile levels for ETS particles and nicotine, respectively.     

Noise Impact and Improvement on Indoors Acoustic Comfort for the Building Adjacent to Heavy Traffic Road

A good acoustic environment is absolutely essential to maintaining a high level satisfaction and moral health among residents. Noise and other boresome sounds come from both in- door and outdoor sources. For the residential buildings adjacent to heavy traffic roads, outdoors traffic noise is the main source that affects indoor acoustic quality and health. Ventilation and outdoor noise prevention become a pair of contradictions for the residents in China nowadays for those buildings adjacent to heavy traffic roads. It is investigated that traffic noise emission is mainly con- stituted by the motors of trucks, buses and motorcycles as well as brake. In this paper, two methods of traffic noise reduction on the indoor sound environment and comfort are carried out to study and compare the residential buildings adjacent to heavy traffic roadway in a city. One is to install noise barriers on the two sides of the roadway, which consist of sound-proof glass and plas- tic materials. The effect of sound-insulation of this method is heavily dependent on the relative distance between the noise bar- rier and indoors. A reduction of sound with an average pressure level of 2–15dB is achieved on the places behind and under the noise barrier. However, for the equivalent of noise barrier height, the noise reduction effect is little. As for the places of higher than the noise barrier, the traffic noise will be even strengthened by 3–7dB. Noise increment can be seen at the points of distance farther than 15m and height more than noise barrier; the noise reduction effect is not satisfactory or even worsened. In addition, not every location is appropriate to install the noise barrier along the heavy traffic roads. The other method of noise reduction for the buildings adjacent to heavy traffic is to install the airproof and soundproof windows, which is the conversion from natural venti- lation to mechanical ventilation. A reduction of sound with an average pressure level of 5dB to 17dB can be achieved compared with common glass windows, if adopting sound proof glass win- dows. These two methods are helpful to isolate high frequency noise but not for low frequency noise. For those frequency noises, installing thick and cotton curtain and porous carpet can only decrease 2.4–4.5dB, which hardly contributes to indoor sound comfort, so further study is demanded to cut down traffic noise, especially to cut down the low frequency noise.     

Increased catecholamine levels in urine in subjects exposed to road traffic noise: the role of stress hormones in noise research

The nocturnal excretion of catecholamines in urine was studied in 30-45-year-old women whose bedroom and/or living room were facing streets of varying traffic volume. The traffic volume of the streets was used as an indicator of noise exposure; adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were assessed as indicators of the outcome of the physiological stress. Significant associations between traffic volume and noradrenaline concentrations in urine were found with regard to the exposure of the bedroom (not the living room), indicating a higher chronic physiological arousal in noise-exposed subjects as compared to less exposed. Subjective measures of disturbance due to traffic noise were positively correlated with the noradrenaline level. However, this was only found in subjects where closing the window could not reduce the perceived disturbance, which points to the effectiveness of individual coping mechanisms. Stress hormones are useful indicators to study associations, mechanisms, and interactions between noise, health outcomes, and effect modifiers in epidemiological noise research.     

Pre- and postnatal exposures to pesticides and neurodevelopmental effects in children living in agricultural communities from South-Eastern Spain

BackgroundChildrens exposure to neurotoxic compounds poses a major problem to public health because of their actively developing brain that makes them highly vulnerable. However, limited information is available on neuropsychological effects in children associated with pre- and postnatal exposures to pesticides.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between current and pre- and postnatal exposures to pesticides and their effects on neurodevelopment in children aged 6–11 years living in agricultural communities from South-Eastern Spain.MethodsAn ambispective study was conducted on 305 children aged 6–11 years randomly selected from public schools of the study area. Current exposure to organophosphate pesticides was assessed measuring children's urinary levels of dialkylphosphates (DAPs). Both prenatal and postnatal residential exposure to pesticides was estimated by developing a geographical information system (GIS) technology-based index that integrated distance-weighted measure of agricultural surface, time-series of crop areas per municipality and year, and land-use maps. Neuropsychological performance was evaluated with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). The association of pre- and postnatal and current pesticide exposure with WISC-IV scale scores was assessed using multivariate linear regression models and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models, respectively.ResultsGreater urinary DAP levels were associated with a poorer performance on intelligence quotient and verbal comprehension domain, with effects being more prominent in boys than in girls. The influence of an increase in 10 ha per year in crop surface around the child's residence during the postnatal period was associated with decreased intelligence quotient, processing speed and verbal comprehension scores. As regards prenatal exposure to pesticides, a poor processing speed performance was observed. These effects were also more prominent in boys than in girls.ConclusionsOur results suggest that postnatal exposure to pesticides can negatively affect children's neuropsychological performance. Prenatal exposure was weakly associated to neurodevelopment impairment.     

Analysis of transportation carbon emissions and its potential for reduction in China

The transportation industry is an essential sector for carbon emissions mitigation.This paper firstly used the LMDI(Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index)decomposition method to establish factors decomposition model on China’s transportation carbon emission.Then,a quantitative analysis was performed to study the factors influencing China’s transportation carbon emissions from 1991 to 2008,which are identified as transportation energy efficiency,transportation structure and transportation development.The results showed that:(1)The impact of transportation development on transportation carbon emissions showed pulling function.Its contribution value to carbon emissions remained at high growth since 1991 and showed an exponential growth trend.(2)The impact of transportation structure on transportation carbon emissions showed promoting function in general,but its role in promoting carbon emissions decreased year by year.And with the continuous optimization of transportation structure,the promoting effect decreased gradually and showed the inversed"U"trend.(3)The impact of transportation energy efficiency on transportation carbon emissions showed a function of inhibition before pulling.In order to predict the potential of carbon emission reduction,three scenarios were set.Analysis of the scenarios showed that if greater intensity emission reduction measures are taken,the carbon emissions will reduce by 31.01 million tons by 2015 and by 48.81 million tons by 2020.     

Road traffic noise, sensitivity, annoyance and self-reported health--a structural equation model exercise

The proposed effect of road traffic noise on hypertension and ischemic heart disease finds mixed empirical support. One problem with many studies is that the directions of the causal relationships are not identified. This is often the case when cross-sectional data and multivariate regression models are utilised. The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between road traffic noise and health. More specifically the relationships between noise complaints, noise sensitivity and subjectively reported hypertension and heart problems were investigated. 1842 respondents in Oslo, Norway were interviewed about their experience of the local environment and their subjective health complaints. The interviews were conducted as part of two surveys. Individual measures of air pollution (NO(2)) and noise (Lden) were calculated. The data were analysed using Structural Equation Models. Only sensitivity to noise is related to hypertension and chest pain. No relationships between noise exposure and health complaints were identified. Rather than noise being the causal agent leading to health problems, the results suggest that the noise-health relationships in these studies may be spurious. It is conceivable that individual vulnerability is reflected both in ill health and in being sensitive to noise. The benefit of including more contextual variables in a model of noise-health relationships is supported.     

基于空间句法的街区制与小区制路网结构与空间感知研究——以南京仙林地区为例

街区制与小区制是现代城市两种不同的居住模式。近年来,随着我国城市化水平的迅速提高和城市规模的扩大,城市居住模式对城市居民生产生活与交通产生何种影响引起众多学科的高度关注。以南京仙林地区为例,运用空间句法理论与GIS空间分析功能,选择可达性和居住区便捷性等空间特征变量,对两种居住模式的路网结构与空间感知研究后发现：（1）研究区实行街区制,路网具有“核心-外围”可达性逐渐减小的空间结构,而小区制可达性高的路网结构与主干道形态相关,呈“井”字型;（2）路网可达性的结构差异影响着居住区便捷性,街区制与小区制相比,存在着核心区与外围区便捷性差异。街区制的核心区全局便捷性较高且分布均匀,而外围区全局便捷性与局部便捷性较低且分布相对不均匀;（3）居住便捷与路网可达是空间感知的基础,街区制呈现核心区高,外围区低的空间感知差异,而小区制的空间感知整体较高并呈均质性特点;（4）空间句法理论运用于居住区模式的路网结构与空间感知研究,拓展了该理论应用的领域,提出了推广街区制的有效措施,也为城市规划实行何种居住模式提供了科学依据     

Analysis and Modeling on the Spatial Structure of Urban Land Use: A Case of Jinan, China

Based on the data of urban land use obtained by remote sensing interpretation from aero images in 1986 and 2004, the spatial structure of Jinan is studied in this paper with the method of Geographic Information System (GIS). According to the proportion of land for residence, industry and commerce, the urban district can be distinguished into three rings. Compared with the traditional theory of the ring structure in Western coun- tries, they have many distinctive characteristics. The main func- tions of the inner ring include residence, business and banking, but the proportion of residential land (more than 50%) is considerably higher than that of the cities in Western countries. The land proportion for residence and industry in the intermediate ring is equal on the whole. The main land of the outside ring is for industrial use. From 1986 to 2004, great changes have taken place on the land proportion of different types of use. In the inner ring, the land for residential and industrial use has shrunk much while the land for commercial use has increased. In the intermediate ring, the changes of the three types of land use were not very much and the temporal variation was relatively stable. On the contrary, the structure in the outside ring varies acutely. Though most of it is also for industrial use, the proportion of residential land has in- creased much. The three rings can also be divided into several sectors respectively, according to the function of land use clusters. New trends and mechanisms of the changes of land use impacting the urban structure were proposed in the end of the paper.     

Coastal climate is associated with elevated solar irradiance and higher 25(OH)D level

IntroductionThere is evidence that populations living close to the coast have improved health and wellbeing. Coastal environments are linked to promotion of physical activity through provision of safe, opportune, aesthetic and accessible spaces for recreation. Exposure to coastal environments may also reduce stress and induce positive mood. We hypothesised that coastal climate may influence the vitamin D status of residents and thus partly explain benefits to health.Materials and methodsEcological and cross-sectional analyses were designed to elucidate the connection between coastal residence and vitamin D status. We divided residential data, from developed land use areas and the Lower Super Output Areas or Data Zones (Scotland) of the 1958 Birth Cohort participants, into the following coastal bands: < 1 km, 1–5 km, 5–20 km, 20–50 km and over 50 km. In the ecological analysis we used a multiple regression model to describe the relationship between UV_vitd and coastal proximity adjusted for latitude. Subsequently, using the residential information of the participants of the 1958 Birth Cohort we developed a multiple regression model to understand the relationship between serum 25(OH)D (a marker of vitamin D status) and coastal proximity adjusted for several factors related to vitamin D status (e.g. diet, outdoor activity).ResultsWe found that coastal proximity was associated with solar irradiance; on average a 99.6 (96.1–103.3) J/m²/day regression coefficient was recorded for settlements < 1 km from the coast compared with those at > 50 km. This relationship was modified by latitude with settlements at a lower latitude exhibiting a greater effect. Individuals living closer to the coast in England had higher vitamin D levels than those inland, particularly in autumn.ConclusionGeographic location may influence biochemistry and health outcomes due to environmental factors. This can provide benefits in terms of vitamin D status but may also pose a risk due to higher skin cancer risk. We provide further evidence in support of the claim that coastal environments can provide opportunities for health and wellbeing.     

NEWS

Abstract

Based on the data of urban land use obtained by remote sensing interpretation from aero images in 1986 and 2004, the spatial structure of Jinan is studied in this paper with the method of Geographic Information System (GIS). According to the proportion of land for residence, industry and commerce, the urban district can be distinguished into three rings. Compared with the traditional theory of the ring structure in Western countries, they have many distinctive characteristics. The main functions of the inner ring include residence, business and banking, but the proportion of residential land (more than 50%) is considerably higher than that of the cities in Western countries. The land proportion for residence and industry in the intermediate ring is equal on the whole. The main land of the outside ring is for industrial use. From 1986 to 2004, great changes have taken place on the land proportion of different types of use. In the inner ring, the land for residential and industrial use has shrunk much while the land for commercial use has increased. In the intermediate ring, the changes of the three types of land use were not very much and the temporal variation was relatively stable. On the contrary, the structure in the outside ring varies acutely. Though most of it is also for industrial use, the proportion of residential land has increased much. The three rings can also be divided into several sectors respectively, according to the function of land use clusters. New trends and mechanisms of the changes of land use impacting the urban structure were proposed in the end of the paper.     

基于MCR模型的农村居民点布局适宜性分区及优化模式研究——以南京市六合区金牛湖街道为例

农村居民点布局适宜性分区是实现布局优化的基础,也是改善农村生产生活条件、实现耕地占补平衡、统筹城乡发展的重要途径。以南京市六合区金牛湖街道为例,利用GIS技术分析了研究区农村居民点分布现状,采用最小累积阻力模型（MCR）实现了农村居民点布局适宜性分区,从而为农村居民点整理项目实施和村镇建设规划提供了科学依据。研究结果表明：（1）金牛湖街道农村居民点现状在整体上存在“布局松散、面积零碎”的问题;各村（社区）之间地域差异明显、分布不均衡;在空间布局上呈现出沿“低坡度、低高程、交通便利”地带分布的显著特征;（2）按农村居民点布局适宜性程度,可将金牛湖街道划分为5种适宜性分区。其中,高度适宜区占街道总面积的165%,总体上能满足农村居民点用地需求;（3）基于农村居民点现状分析及适宜性分区结果,将各村（社区）划分为“就地城镇化”、“内部整改”、“逐步迁村并点”3种优化模式,并从宏观层面上提出优化路径     

城市典型工业区土壤重金属污染状况研究

城市土壤既直接影响密集的城市人群,涉及众多的生命健康与安全,还通过水体、大气间接地影响城市环境的质量,因此对城市土壤污染的研究正逐渐受到人们的重视。为了解南京市典型工业企业对其所在地周围住宅区土壤中重金属含量的影响及其污染现状,选择南京梅山炼焦厂、南化磷肥厂、南京炼油厂、扬子芳烃厂、南京钢铁厂等5个典型工业区进行监测调查。结果表明,南京市典型工业区厂区土壤中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Hg和As元素的含量都明显高于附近住宅区土壤中含量,Cr和Ni两种元素含量与其附近住宅区土壤中含量没有明显差异。分析各工业区土壤重金属污染特征发现,炼焦厂主要异常元素为锌;磷肥厂主要为铜、铅、镉、汞、砷;炼油厂主要为镍;扬子芳烃厂主要为铅;南京钢铁厂主要为铅、镉、汞。本次调查发现,对照南京市土壤背景值,典型工业用地土壤中除Cr元素外,其他7个重金属元素都存在一定程度的富集现象。     

Application of cattle manure as fertilizer in pastureland: estimating the incremental risk due to metal accumulation employing a multicompartment model

Specific-site data of metal concentration in cattle manure from NW Spain and a multicompartment fate and exposure model were used to evaluate metal fate and the main routes of exposure after a 100 year period of application of cattle manure as fertiliser in pastureland. Risk assessment was performed as a probabilistic analysis, and using a conservative worst-case exposure scenario. An accumulation model was used to predict the metal concentration in each environmental medium of concern. The incremental risk was estimated for the population inhabiting the surroundings of the area by a general multiexposure model. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to analyse uncertainty of the results. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to identify the contribution to variance by the different metals and exposure routes. Among the five pathways evaluated, the ingestion of meat and milk from cattle grazing in the area represents the main contribution to total exposure. The results indicate that the incremental risk to human health for people living in the surroundings of pasturelands due to continuous application of cattle manure after a 100 year period are not negligible for the metals considered (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn), posing a total Reasonable Maximum Exposure (RME) of 0.75, being the ingestion of meat the main exposure pathway.     

Residential exposure to traffic noise and risk of incident atrial fibrillation: A cohort study

BackgroundStudies have found long-term exposure to traffic noise to be associated with higher risk for hypertension, ischemic heart disease and stroke. We aimed to investigate the novel hypothesis that traffic noise increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (A-fib).MethodsIn a population-based cohort of 57,053 people aged 50–64 years at enrolment in 1993–1997, we identified 2692 cases of first-ever hospital admission of A-fib from enrolment to end of follow-up in 2011 using a nationwide registry. The mean follow-up time was 14.7 years. Present and historical residential addresses were identified for all cohort members from 1987 to 2011. For all addresses, exposure to road traffic and railway noise was estimated using the Nordic prediction method and exposure to air pollution was estimated using a validated dispersion model. We used Cox proportional hazard model for the analyses with adjustment for lifestyle, socioeconomic position and air pollution.ResultsA 10 dB higher 5-year time-weighted mean exposure to road traffic noise was associated with a 6% higher risk of A-fib (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.06; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.00–1.12) in models adjusted for factors related to lifestyle and socioeconomic position. The association followed a monotonic exposure–response relationship. In analyses with adjustment for air pollution, NO_x or NO₂, there were no statistically significant associations between exposure to road traffic noise and risk of A-fib; IRR: 1.04; (95% CI: 0.96–1.11) and IRR: 1.01; (95% CI: 0.94–1.09), respectively. Exposure to railway noise was not associated with A-fib.ConclusionExposure to residential road traffic noise may be associated with higher risk of A-fib, though associations were difficult to separate from exposure to air pollution.