Research shows ultrafine particles from aircraft in the vicinity of Schiphol Airport negatively affect health
A thorough study of 191 primary school children who live near Schiphol Airport, in the Netherlands, shows that high concentrations of ultra-fine particles from aircraft can affect health seriously. The research showed that when the wind blows in the ‘wrong’ direction children with respiratory complaints suffer more and use more medication. Complaints include shortness of breath and wheezing. These are the conclusions of new research by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), in collaboration with Utrecht University and the Academic Medical Centre (AMC). There were 3 sub-studies: a study of 191 primary school children in residential areas near Schiphol, a study of 21 healthy adults immediately adjacent to Schiphol, and a laboratory study with lung cells. Such extensive research on ultrafine particles and health has never been carried out around airports before. The findings should alarm everybody responsible for the tremendous worldwide growth of aviation. There are no indications that the health effects of air traffic are different from those of road traffic. The study is part of a long-term study of the RIVM. In 2020 and 2021 they will research the effects of long-term exposure to ultra-fine particles from air traffic.
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- 28th June 2019
UECNA
PROOF: ULTRA-FINE PARTICLES FROM AIRCRAFT AFFECT HEALTH
A thorough study among 191 primary school children who live near Schiphol Airport shows that high concentrations of ultra-fine particles from aircraft can affect health seriously. When the wind blows in the ‘wrong’ direction children with respiratory complaints suffer more and use more medication. Complaints include shortness of breath and wheezing. These are the conclusions of new research by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), in collaboration with Utrecht University and the Academic Medical Centre (AMC).
Such an extensive research on ultrafine particles and health has never been carried out around airports and should alarm everybody responsible for the tremendous worldwide growth of aviation.
The study is part of a long-term study of the RIVM. Next years they research the effects of long-term exposure to ultra-fine particles from air traffic.
UECNA:
UECNA, Union Européenne Contre les Nuisances Aériennes, was founded in 1968 by three citizens who suffered from aircraft noise: Maitre Guillot, a lawyer from Paris (Orly – France), André Looten, from Geneva (Switzerland) and Pasteur Kurt Oeser from Frankfurt (Germany).
UECNA is still today the sole umbrella organisation gathering the interest of people overflown by aircraft and suffering from aircraft noise and emissions with members from all over Europe.
UECNA members are national organisations, regional active groups or local residents fighting against the noise of one airport. Aircraft noise and emissions are growing environmental problems of today’s air traffic and mobility. Their major impact on human health is no longer in dispute: numerous diseases are now definitely associated with such pollution.
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Ultrafine particles in the vicinity of Schiphol Airport affect health
Publication date 06/27/2019
National Institute for Public Health
and the EnvironmentMinistry of Health, Welfare and Sport in the Netherlands
People who live near Schiphol are regularly exposed to higher concentrations of ultrafine particles. This can have an effect on health. On days with high exposures, children with respiratory complaints suffer more and use more medication. Complaints include shortness of breath and wheezing.
These are the conclusions of new research by RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , in collaboration with Utrecht University and the Academic Medical Centre (AMC). Never before has such extensive research been carried out into ultrafine particles from air traffic and health.
Short-term reductions in lung function were measured in children and healthy adults as a result of higher short-term exposure. In healthy adults, short-term changes in heart function were also measured. On average, these changes are small and will not necessarily result in health problems. However, these changes can be more significant for people who are more sensitive to them, for example, because they suffer from asthma or a heart condition.
Ultrafine Particles
The effects occur with ultrafine particles originating from air traffic, as well as from other sources, such as road traffic. There are no indications that the health effects of air traffic are different from those of road traffic.
Broad research programme
The conclusions are based on three sub-studies: a study of 191 primary school children in residential areas near Schiphol, a study of 21 healthy adults immediately adjacent to Schiphol, and a laboratory study with lung cells. The results of this research cannot yet provide insight into the possible long-term health effects of ultrafine particles.
RIVM has now started research into the effects of long-term exposure to ultrafine particles from air traffic. This research makes use of the results of the ‘measuring and calculating research‘ into the number of ultrafine particles in the vicinity of Schiphol, and the results of the research into direct effects on health. The results of this research are expected to become available in 2021.
See
https://www.rivm.nl/en/news/ultrafine-particles-in-vicinity-of-schiphol-airport-affect-health
Download
- Research into the health effects of short-term exposure to ultrafine particles in the vicinity of Schiphol Airport Research into the health effects of short-term exposure to ultrafine particles in the vicinity of Schiphol Airport (English synopsi…
- Measurements and calculations of ultrafine particles originating from air traffic around Schiphol : For research into the health of local residents (English synopsis)
The full research, in Dutch, is at
https://www.rivm.nl/sites/default/files/2019-06/Bijlagen%20bij%20RIVM-rapport%202019-0084.pdf
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