Noise is more than just a nuisance. Studies link noise pollution to higher risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues. On November 19, 2025, SciLine interviewed Dr. Richard Neitzel, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan.
Declared interests: Dr. Neitzel’s research is partially funded by grants from Apple, Inc and from the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. He is past chair of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values – Physical Agents Committee and also serves as a consultant for the World Health Organization Make Listening Safe Initiative, both volunteer positions.
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Soundbite (SOT)
VOSOT script (can be used as-is or modified)
Raw, full-length interview video & log with timecodes (upon request via form below)
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Click for VOSOT script (can be used as-is or modified)
ANCHOR
WHEN THE AIR OUTSIDE IS BAD… WE HEAD INDOORS.
BUT WHEN THE NOISE AROUND US GETS LOUD… MOST OF US DON’T THINK TO PROTECT OUR EARS.
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NOISE POLLUTION IS UNWANTED OR HARMFUL SOUND.
LIVING NEAR AN AIRPORT… HIGHWAY… OR RAILWAY IS UNWANTED NOISE… WHILE HARMFUL SOUND CAN COME FROM GUNS… CONCERTS… OR LOUD EQUIPMENT.
DOCTOR RICK NEITZEL… PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN… SAYS BOTH KINDS OF NOISE POLLUTION ARE LINKED TO HEALTH ISSUES… INCLUDING HEARING LOSS… HEART ATTACKS… AND STROKES.
DOCTOR NEITZEL ALSO STUDIES NOISY WORKPLACES… FINDING THAT MANUFACTURING… CONSTRUCTION… AND AGRICULTURE WORKERS ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF INJURY AND DEATH ON THE JOB.
SOT
Duration: 0:43
Super: Dr. Rick Neitzel – Professor, University of Michigan
“Oftentimes I think noise has been accepted as just an unwanted byproduct of modern living. And I would submit to you, that’s absolutely not the case. We can and should be limiting noise in our environment. But because people haven’t necessarily recognized how harmful it is to us, we’ve allowed it to become pervasive in our environment. So one of my key goals in my career is trying to educate folks, make them aware that hey, noise is not just a nuisance. Noise can actually kill people through these cardiovascular effects, through injuries. And even if it doesn’t kill you, it’s absolutely having a huge impact on quality of life for tens of millions of Americans and you know, billions around the world.”
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DOCTOR NEITZEL SAYS IF NOISE BECAME A MORE RECOGNIZED POLLUTANT IN THE U-S… MORE EMPLOYERS WOULD LIKELY PRIORITIZE PROTECTING WORKERS’ HEARING… AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SPEND MORE FEDERAL FUNDS TO REDUCE NOISE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AT HOME… HE SAYS WE CAN BUY QUIETER VERSIONS OF TOOLS LIKE BLENDERS AND LEAF BLOWERS… OR EVEN WEAR EAR PLUGS IN LOUD PLACES.
Raw, full-length interview covers:
What noise pollution is and its primary sources;
Differences in noise exposures from the environment vs. from listening to headphones and earbuds
How chronic noise exposure impacts overall health, including cardiovascular disease, sleep disruption, hearing loss, and other health effects;
Why some communities and individuals are more vulnerable to harmful noise levels;
What occupations are at greatest risk of high noise exposure, and why that matters;
Research connecting occupational noise exposure to increased risk of workplace injuries;
Strategies for reducing noise exposure at home, work, and in public spaces; and
Policy needs related to controlling U.S. noise levels and improving the health of Americans.
