Ya es de viejo cuño el problema del estrés asociado al ruido, tanto que ya era un tema de disputa en los clásicos sobre los beneficios y perjuicios de la ciudad: Varrón, Aristófanes [ Las nubes ], Tácito [ Germania ], Platón [ Fedón ]... (Caro; 1966) [i] En el ámbito general, existe uan asociación al ruido y los espacios urbanos, que en la actualidad misma se sostiene: Psychosocial stress (see stress) is characteristic of urban places today. Crowding, noise, commuting, driving in traffic, the pace of urban living, violence and the threat of violence, as well as the act of negotiating numerous social contacts daily are all stressors. For those lower in social positions, the resulting stress is greater; discrimination against the poor and minorities is an ever-present stressor. Psychosocial stressors produce the classic stress response, including the release of catecholamines and cortisol, changes in respiration and cardiovascular function, as well as numerous other alterations....