The highest noise levels, particularly at night, are associated with a greater risk of high blood pressure and heart flutter, say scientsts Although it does not prove that noise from airplanes causes health problems, the study adds to a growing body of work on the health effects of noise. People who live close to an airport and are constantly barraged by the sound of planes taking off are at increased risk of heart disease, research suggests. A study found that people who were exposed to the highest noise levels, particularly at night, were at greater risk of developing high blood pressure and heart flutter. The study only showed an association, rather than being proof that the airport noise was causing health problems, although the scientists took into account socioeconomic background and various other predictors of health of the participant. The work builds on a growing body of evidence showing the detrimental health effects of noise exposure. The latest study, published in the online journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine, used data from 420 people living near Athens International Airport in Greece between 2004-6, where up to 600 planes take off and land every day. The aircraft and road traffic noise exposure levels estimated for their postcodes at that time, less than 50 decibels to more than 60dB, were compared with the participants’ health records. Around half of the participants were exposed to more than 55dB of daytime (between 7am and 11pm) aircraft noise, while around one in four were exposed to more than 45dB of night-time aircraft noise. In the decade following the study, 71 of the participants were newly diagnosed with high blood pressure and 44 were diagnosed with heart flutter (cardiac arrhythmia). Exposure to aircraft noise, particularly at night, was associated with high blood pressure, with every additional 10dB of night-time aircraft noise translating to a 69% heightened risk of the condition. There was also a link between the risk of heart flutter and night-time aircraft noise. A previous study, of people living near Heathrow Airport, found that those with the highest noise exposure were 10-20% more likely to be admitted to hospital for stroke, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Source
