Noise News
Below are links to stories about noise in relation to airports and aviation.
Slow-wave sleep and the risk of type 2 diabetes in humans
Findings from a study by the Department of Medicine, University of Chicago indicate there is a connection between some forms of sleep disturbance and increase type 2 diabetes (maturity onset diabetes).
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600,000 blighted by Heathrow noise
The huge area affected by aircraft noise from Heathrow has been revealed. A map, published by DEFRA, shows an area stretching from the southern outskirts of Maidenhead in the west to the edge of Camberwell in the east. According to the Government, this equates to 600,000 people. (Evening Standard)
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HYENA – Heart attack risk link to air noise
A new study published by Imperial College proves a connection between prolonged exposure to air noise and being at greater risk of suffering from hypertension and heart attacks. The study questioned people who had lived near the airports for at least 5 years. (UK Airport News)
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Echo of Concorde heard in fight to justify third Heathrow runway
The ghost of Concorde has been enlisted to help to justify a third runway at Heathrow and an extra 500 flights a day over London. The Government has pledged that the area blighted by 57 decibels, known as the 57 decibel contour, will be no greater than in 2002, the last full year of Concorde flights. (Times)
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Heathrow noise ‘annoys 2 million more’
Aircraft noise from Heathrow annoys far more residents than previously thought, an independent study (ANASE) has found. The number of respondents at least "very annoyed" generally increases in areas above 43 decibels, the study for the Department of Transport found. (BBC)
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Living near an airport ‘can cause high blood pressure’
Living near a noisy airport increases the risk of high blood pressure, according to research. The findings suggest that constant exposure to high levels of noise may be damaging to health. The team reports in the journal Epidemiology that the men exposed to an average daily noise level of more than 50 decibels were 19% more likely to have high blood pressure. (Times)
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Minister sits on damning report on impact of Heathrow noise (ANASE study)
Aircraft noise causes much more annoyance than previously thought, according to a study for the Department for Transport which the Government is attempting to conceal while it plans the expansion of Heathrow. The existing method of measuring aircraft noise, adopted a quarter of a century ago, is too narrow and outdated, the study concludes. It fails to take account either of the huge growth in the number of flights or the public’s growing demand for quietness. (Times)
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New Forest flight path plan attacked
Anger is growing over a controversial plan to increase airspace over some of southern England's finest countryside. Critics say the creation of new air corridors to ease flight congestion to the west of London will inevitably mean more aircraft overhead. The North Wessex Downs and the Cotswolds - both designated AONB - and the New Forest National Park will all be affected if the expansion plan is approved. (Telegraph)
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East Midlands Airport’s noise complaints soar
East Midlands Airport (EMA) has received almost 8,000 complaints in the past year - most from just five people worried about noise, the airport said. Complaints about the airport rose from 4,500 in 2005 to 7,978 in 2006, with almost 60% of last year's complaints generated by a few local residents.
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Noise ‘footprint’ from Heathrow leaves its mark across the capital
Noise from Heathrow is a 'significant' problem across the whole of London, with even people on the opposite side of the capital from the airport suffering distress, according to new research. A report blames a boom in flying and increases the pressure on government ministers, who are expected to announce in the autumn a decision on whether to build a third runway and sixth terminal at the world's busiest international airport.