High levels of noise from traffic or neighbours could be the death of you, a new study has warned.
A group of European scientists investigating the health impact of noise pollution say long term exposure could account for 3% of fatalities from strokes and heart attacks.
Deepak Prasher, professor of audiology at University College London, who is involved with the World Health Organisation working group, told the New Scientist: "Until now, noise has been the Cinderella form of pollution and people have not been aware it has an impact on their health. New data provides a link showing there are earlier deaths because of noise.
"Given that seven million people around the world die each year from heart disease, the toll from exposure to noise could be about 210,000."
The latest World Health Organisation (WHO) data links noise pollution - which has been shown to raise blood pressure - with death. It follows a survey in May commissioned by the National Society for Clean Air in the UK, which said noise had a "major impact" on 45% of respondents - up from 35% a year earlier.
Figures collected by the Office for National Statistics suggest noise complaints to UK local authorities have increased by 500% over the past 20 years. Noisy neighbours ranked high on the list of annoyance - with 2% of respondents saying they moved because of them - as did public houses and clubs.
As well as the projections for deaths from heart disease the WHO study suggests that 2% suffer sleep disruption and at least 15% suffer severe annoyance. Research has suggested 20% of Europeans live in areas polluted by high noise.
Professor Prasher says people should avoid living in areas where noise levels exceed 75 decibels because that can effect a person's immune system and heart and lead to hypertension.
By the end of this year all European cities with populations in excess of 250,000 will be required by European law to have produced digitised noise maps showing hotspots where traffic noise and volume are greatest.
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said the research would be examined.
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