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ICAO4U – aviation language Noise levels at the airports

Noise levels at the airports

Airplanes are heavy and noisy machinery. If you live in the vicinity of an airport  it may impact your health.

  • if you are exposed to aircraft noise
  • many people are affected by noise 
  • ensure precise measuring
  • ensure that the noise level of 65dB is not exceeded

Researchers from the University of Bern discovered that the risk of dying from a heart attack is larger if you are exposed to aircraft noise. The results have been published in the ’Epidemiology’ journal. Noise stresses the environment as many people are affected by noise. That’s why airport and aircraft noise is being carefully monitored at  individual airports. Monitoring stations are located almost all round the airport to ensure precise measuring  and to ensure that the noise level of 65dB is not exceeded.

  • issue guidelines

People who are often exposed to or live in areas with aircraft noise may be exposed to health issues. Some of the health issues of aircraft noise are similar to the effects of traffic noise. The EU has issued guidelines ordering major cities to map noise from these sources.

  • have a 30% higher risk od dying from heart attacks

According to studies from the University of Bern, people who are exposed to noise exceeding 60dB a day have a 30% higher risk of dying from heart attacks than people only exposed to 45dB a day. The more aircraft noise you are exposed to and the longer you are exposed, the higher the risk of health issues.

Other health issues of aircraft noise:

  • reduced learning capacity in children
  • sleep disturbance
  • psychological effects such as irritation
  • overweight
  • pregnancy; noise can affect the weight of the child at birth

Many people who live on Amager are affected by noise from Copenhagen Airport that often exceeds the noise limit of 65dB applicable to residential areas.

  • establish maximum noise level in the airport area
  • various measures can be taken to reduce noise
  • noise barriers
  • seperate/shield the residential areas

The Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority has established a maximum noise level in the airport area of 147.4dB. Copenhagen Airport is 3dB below this limit. Various  measures can be taken to reduce noise from aircraft and airports. Noise barriers can be established as walls shielding the residential areas close to airports from the noise:

  • submit precise reports
  • remedy the problem
  • exceed the noise level
  • hazardous
  • grassy hills
  1. In 2013, Copenhagen Airport released dedicated program which allows private individuals to monitor air traffic in and around the airport. The program makes it possible to find the information you need about specific aircraft and to submit precise reports on it to the airport. This program is meant to remedy the problem. Via the program, a complaint can be sent to Copenhagen Airport about specific aircraft that exceeds the noise level.
  2. Gatwick Airport has walls shielding the noise from the airport. This wall has been built to reduce noise for those who live close to the airport as aircraft noise may be hazardous.
  3. Shiphol Airport in the Netherlands has constructed grassy hills breaking the sound waves from the aircraft.

1:09′ nuisance

1:11′ it links noise  to the increased risk of heart disease and stroke

1:15′ sleep deprivation

1:17′ cause stress

1:46′ high blood pressure is the risk factor for cardiovascular disease

1:53′ measure the impact of the noise

 LINK TO FILM!

Inspired by: soundear.com i usatoday.com

ECOLOGY / AVIATION LAW