A study of almost 2,700 children aged between seven and ten in 38 schools in Barcelona, Spain, first researches the impact of traffic noise on child cognitive development over time.
The children in the study are in a critical stage for the development of memory and attention skills, which are essential to learning. The research found that children exposed to about three times more traffic in the street than other children had memory development that was 23% slower and attention ability development 5% slower over a year.
Noise is the second most damaging environmental factor to health, after air pollution, and, for example, was already known to increase heart attacks in adults. The UN said that urban noise pollution was growing into a global public health threat, leading to 12,000 early deaths a year in the EU alone and affecting many cities.
But research on the impact of road noise on children was limited until now. “We do not understand that noise can actually be toxic (有害的) from a physical point of view,” said Dr. Maria Foraster, from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, who led the study. “We think that we adapt to it, but research has shown that we don’t completely — we still have a physiological (生理的) response.”
The research revealed that peaks of noise heard inside the classroom, such as the passing of loud trucks, had more impact than a higher average level of noise. It also found higher noise levels at school were more damaging than at home.
Prof. Iroise Dumontheil, at Birkbeck, University of London, UK, said, “This carefully designed study provides convincing evidence. Considering that many European children living in large cities are exposed to high road-traffic noise levels, this study has implications for public policy to reduce road-traffic noise near schools.”
The research follows previous work that showed higher levels of aircraft noise at school affected reading comprehension and cognitive development. Next, the authors said, they would like to see their findings replicated (复制) in different cities and towns, where schools may be built differently and windows opened more or less often.
12. What can we learn from Maria Foraster’s words?
A.We have been troubled by noise. |
B.We lack confidence in her study. |
C.We had tried hard to adapt to noise. |
D.We had underestimated the harm of noise to humans. |
13. What is Iroise Dumontheil’s attitude towards the study?
A.Curious. | B.Positive. |
C.Cautious. | D.Unsatisfied. |
14. What might the research team focus on next?
A.Finding solutions to reducing noise. |
B.Helping students to realize the impact of noise. |
C.Confirming their findings in different areas. |
D.Studying the differences between various noises. |
15. What is the best title for the text?
A.Policies on traffic noise should be improved |
B.Traffic noise slows children’s memory development |
C.Traffic noise has a growing impact on people’s health |
D.Attention should be paid to the environment around schools |