How Low Frequency Noise Affects Health

"In humans the effects studied have been on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, eye structure, hearing and vestibular function, and the endocrine system. Special central nervous system (CNS) effects studied included annoyance, sleep and wakefulness, perception, evoked potentials, electroencephalographic changes, and cognition. Reduction in wakefulness during periods of infrasonic exposure above the hearing threshold has been identified through changes in EEG, blood pressure, respiration, hormonal production, performance and heart activity." (From DEFRA Study on the Health Effects of Low Frequency Noise)

This suggests that daily exposure to the Low Frequency Noise generated by laminate flooring could have serious health implications. The World Health Organisation (WHO) have also produced studies relating to the health effects of exposure to noise. The WHO document, Guidelines for Community Noise, contains a chapter detailing the Adverse Health Effects of Noise detailing the following:

• Noise-induced hearing impairment
• Interference with Speech Communication
• Sleep disturbance
• Cardiovascular and physiological effects
• Mental health effects
• The effects of noise on performance
• Effects of Noise on Residential Behaviour and Annoyance