Inserm study links road traffic noise to child mental health issues

A large-scale study conducted by Inserm and Sorbonne University, involving 8,000 children from the ELFE cohort, has established a link between chronic exposure to road traffic noise and increased emotional and behavioral difficulties in children. The research, which followed participants from birth to age 10, indicates that children living near high-traffic areas show higher rates of anxiety, attention disorders, and social difficulties.

Researchers found that peak noise exposure at ages two months and five and a half years is particularly associated with peer-related issues by age ten. While noise from trains and airplanes was studied, the results were inconclusive, likely due to lower exposure levels compared to road traffic.

Beyond health implications, the study highlights significant economic consequences. Chronic noise exposure (levels ≥60 dB(A)) is linked to long-term societal costs, including increased medical expenses, school absenteeism, and reduced future productivity, potentially exacerbating territorial inequalities.