Figure 1: Mask-wearing commuters in Singapore’s MRT. From “Singapore to deport Briton who refused to wear mask, reports say”, by SOPA Images (n.d.), https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-19/singapore-to-deport-briton-who-refused-to-wear-mask-reports-say#xj4y7vzkg

 

The Covid-19 pandemic (or endemic) is just over 3 years old. First beginning in 2019, the virus has brought the world down, throwing the economic, social, environmental and health systems into disarray. Fortunately, with the introduction of vaccinations, the world has begun returning back to the new normal, allowing the resumption of our daily activities in the endemic. Today, Singapore announced the move from the dorscon yellow to green status. While people around me celebrate this news of a mask-free future, I cannot help but wonder if noise pollution affects Covid-19 transmission and increases the risk to others.

Research on noise pollution has analysed its effect on health issues such as chronic cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, where its effect and incidence can be enhanced due to stresses that can be induced by noise (Jariwala et. al., 2017). As such, it may be possible that noise may also contribute to increasing incidence and risk towards Covid-19.  Apart from environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and air temperature, one research has paid attention to noise pollution on Covid-19 incidence. According to Díaz et. al. (2021), a short-term study carried out in Madrid, Spain has shown clearly that noise is associated with severe effects of Covid-19 after taking into account potential confounders like demographic and patients’ previous health issues (to name a few). For example, deductions made from the data collated are that noise can influence the immune system through the enhancement of stress levels, lack of proper sleep, and oxidative stress caused by psychological stress.  However, noise pollution on mortality and incidence of Covid-19 was not discovered to be associated together.

Despite being a novel topic for research, Díaz’s paper has clearly highlighted noise pollution potential in enhancing the severity of Covid-19 among people. Moving forward, it will be helpful for different stakeholders to incorporate this understanding to better protect people’s health. As noise continues to surround us, more so in the cityscape, we have to be mindful of its potential to harm us in the long run, lest a new pandemic is to happen yet again.

 

Reference

C. (2023, February 9). Masks no longer required on public transport from Feb 13 as Singapore moves to Dorscon green. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/masks-no-longer-required-on-public-transport-from-feb-13-as-singapore-moves-to-dorscon-green

Díaz, J., Antonio-López-Bueno, J., Culqui, D., Asensio, C., Sánchez-Martínez, G., & Linares, C. (2021). Does exposure to noise pollution influence the incidence and severity of COVID-19? Environmental Research, 195, 110766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.110766

Jariwala, H., Syed, H. S., Pandya, M. J., & Gajera, Y. M (2017). Noise Pollution & Human Health: A Review