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Health Effects of Airport Noise and
Pollution
By Larry West
Researchers have known for years that exposure to excessively
loud noise can cause changes in blood pressure as well as changes in sleep and
digestive patterns, all signs of stress on the human body.
The very word “noise” itself derives from the Latin word
“noxia,” which means injury or hurt.
Airport Noise and Pollution Increase Risk for Illness
On a 1997 questionnaire distributed to two groups (one living
near a major airport, and the other in a quiet neighborhood), two-thirds of
those living near the airport indicated they were bothered by aircraft noise,
and most said that it interfered with their daily activities.
The same two-thirds complained more than the other group of
sleep difficulties, and also perceived themselves as being in poorer health.
Perhaps even more alarming, the European Commission, which
governs the European Union (E.U.), considers living near an airport to be a
risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke, as increased blood pressure
from noise pollution can trigger these more serious maladies.
The E.U. estimates that 20% of Europe’s population (about 80
million people) are exposed to airport noise levels it considers unhealthy and
unacceptable.
Airport Noise Affects Children
Airport noise can also have negative effects on children’s
health and development.
A 1980 study examining the impact of airport noise on children’s
health found higher blood pressure in kids living near Los Angeles’ LAX airport
than in those living farther away.
A 1995 German study found a link between chronic noise exposure
at Munich’s International Airport and elevated nervous system activity and
cardiovascular levels in children living nearby.
A 2005 study published in the prestigious British medical
journal, The Lancet, found that kids living near airports in
Britain, Holland, and Spain lagged behind their classmates in reading by two
months for every five-decibel increase above average noise levels in their
surroundings.
The study also associated aircraft noise with lowered reading
comprehension, even after socio-economic differences were considered.
Citizen Groups Concerned About Effects of Airport Noise and
Pollution
Living near an airport also means facing significant exposure
to air pollution.
Jack Saporito of the U.S. Citizens Aviation Watch
Association (CAW), a coalition of concerned municipalities and
advocacy groups, cites several studies linking pollutants common around
airports (such as diesel exhaust, carbon
monoxide and leaked chemicals) to cancer, asthma, liver damage, lung disease,
lymphoma, myeloid leukemia, and even depression.
A recent study pinpointed ground taxiing by planes at busy
airports as the source of large amounts of carbon monoxide, which in turn
appears to increase the prevalence of asthma within 10 kilometers of the
airport.
CAW is lobbying for the clean- up of jet engine exhaust as well
as the scrapping or modification of airport expansion plans across the country.
Another group working on this issue is Chicago’s Alliance of
Residents Concerning O’Hare, which lobbies and conducts extensive public
education campaigns in an effort to cut noise and pollution and rein in
expansion plans at the world’s busiest airport.
According to the group, five million area residents may be
suffering adverse health effects as a result of O’Hare, only one of four major
airports in the region.
Larry
West
Environmental
Journalist
Education
B.A.,
Journalism and Creative Writing, University of Washington
Introduction
Environmental
journalist with 20+ years of experience
Winner,
Edward J. Meeman Award for Environmental Reporting
Writer
and editor for Go West Strategic Communications since 2002
Experience
Larry
West is a former writer for ThoughtCo who contributed articles for five years.
He is a principal and professional writer and editor for Go West Strategic
Communications. He has written about environmental issues for leading
newspapers, magazines, and online publications.
During
his 20-year career in newspapers, Larry was part of an investigative team whose
work was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He also received the Meeman
Award for national environmental reporting from the Scripps Howard Foundation.
Later, Larry served as press secretary and deputy chief of staff for a U.S.
Representative and served as communications director for a U.S. Senator. He
also managed public affairs for organizations including the Federal Aviation
Administration, a global technology company, and one of the largest ports in
the United States. In each of those positions, Larry was involved in
environmental strategy, policy, and communications.
Education
Larry
studied journalism and creative writing at the University of Washington in
Seattle, Washington. He also taught research and writing courses in continuing
education programs at the University of Washington and the University of
Alaska.
Awards
and Publications
While
working as a journalist for "The Seattle Times," Larry's work was
awarded the Edward J. Meeman Award for Environmental Reporting by Scripps
Howard, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
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