Traffic noise at schools has a detrimental effect on the development and working memory and attention in primary school students, research has found.
The new study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), is the first to assess the impact of traffic noise on child cognitive development over time and to determine the impact of peaks in noise. It included 2,680 children between seven and 10 years of age. The findings showed that the progression of working memory, complex working memory and attention was slower in students attending schools with higher levels of traffic noise.
Researcher Maria Foraster led the study.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
