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City Dweller Responses to Multiple Stressors Intruding into Their Homes: Noise, Light, Odour, and Vibration.

Pedersen, Eja LU (2015) In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12(3). p.3246-3263
Abstract
Abstract: Urban densification increases exposure to noise, light, odour, and vibration in urban dwellings. Exposure from combined environmental stressors intruding into the home could increase the risk of adverse effects on wellbeing, even when the exposure is at a relatively low level. This study assesses the prevalence of annoyance with a combination of potential environmental stressors common in urban areas and the association with wellbeing. A questionnaire was sent by mail to residents in five areas in Halmstad (Sweden) with similar socioeconomic and housing characteristics but different exposure (response rate 56%; n = 385). Of the respondents, 50% were annoyed to some degree by at least one of the suggested stressors, most commonly... (More)
Abstract: Urban densification increases exposure to noise, light, odour, and vibration in urban dwellings. Exposure from combined environmental stressors intruding into the home could increase the risk of adverse effects on wellbeing, even when the exposure is at a relatively low level. This study assesses the prevalence of annoyance with a combination of potential environmental stressors common in urban areas and the association with wellbeing. A questionnaire was sent by mail to residents in five areas in Halmstad (Sweden) with similar socioeconomic and housing characteristics but different exposure (response rate 56%; n = 385). Of the respondents, 50% were annoyed to some degree by at least one of the suggested stressors, most commonly by noise and vibration from local traffic. Structural equation modelling showed that annoyance led to lowered quality of life via the mediating construct residential satisfaction, which in turn was influenced by place attachment and perceived restoration possibilities in the dwelling. Stress had a negative impact on quality of life, but was not directly correlated to annoyance. Stress was however correlated with sensitivity. The findings suggest that dose-response relationships for environmental stressors should be studied in a broader context of environmental and individual factors. Also relatively low levels of exposure should be mitigated, especially if several stressors are present. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
environmental stressors, noise, vibration, odour, light, annoyance, place attachment, general health, sensitivity, quality of life
in
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
volume
12
issue
3
pages
3246 - 3263
publisher
MDPI AG
external identifiers
  • pmid:25794188
  • wos:000351929700059
  • scopus:84927599106
  • pmid:25794188
ISSN
1660-4601
DOI
10.3390/ijerph120303246
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5fcd46f7-1849-4dac-8bab-eb3bd4945c04 (old id 5205617)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 10:13:21
date last changed
2022-04-04 03:36:36
@article{5fcd46f7-1849-4dac-8bab-eb3bd4945c04,
  abstract     = {{Abstract: Urban densification increases exposure to noise, light, odour, and vibration in urban dwellings. Exposure from combined environmental stressors intruding into the home could increase the risk of adverse effects on wellbeing, even when the exposure is at a relatively low level. This study assesses the prevalence of annoyance with a combination of potential environmental stressors common in urban areas and the association with wellbeing. A questionnaire was sent by mail to residents in five areas in Halmstad (Sweden) with similar socioeconomic and housing characteristics but different exposure (response rate 56%; n = 385). Of the respondents, 50% were annoyed to some degree by at least one of the suggested stressors, most commonly by noise and vibration from local traffic. Structural equation modelling showed that annoyance led to lowered quality of life via the mediating construct residential satisfaction, which in turn was influenced by place attachment and perceived restoration possibilities in the dwelling. Stress had a negative impact on quality of life, but was not directly correlated to annoyance. Stress was however correlated with sensitivity. The findings suggest that dose-response relationships for environmental stressors should be studied in a broader context of environmental and individual factors. Also relatively low levels of exposure should be mitigated, especially if several stressors are present.}},
  author       = {{Pedersen, Eja}},
  issn         = {{1660-4601}},
  keywords     = {{environmental stressors; noise; vibration; odour; light; annoyance; place attachment; general health; sensitivity; quality of life}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{3246--3263}},
  publisher    = {{MDPI AG}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}},
  title        = {{City Dweller Responses to Multiple Stressors Intruding into Their Homes: Noise, Light, Odour, and Vibration.}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120303246}},
  doi          = {{10.3390/ijerph120303246}},
  volume       = {{12}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}