Stillness

Noise has detrimental health impacts even at relatively low exposure. Americans are exposed to levels of environmental noise that put them at risk for hearing loss, stress, sleep disruption, which over time increases risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the top cause of mortality in the United States (US) and presents a substantial health-related economic burden.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that nearly 100 million people in the United States had annual exposures to traffic noise that were high enough to be harmful to health.

CDC data in the US show that Americans suffer 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes each year, which contributes more than $320 billion in annual healthcare costs and lost productivity. By 2030, this cost is projected to rise to $818 billion, while lost productivity costs to $275 billion.