People who live close to an airport and are exposed to constant loud aircraft noise may face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to studies from the UK and the US published on Tuesday night.
The continual barrage of noise from planes taking off and landing may cause actual harm to health as well as reducing the quality of people’s lives, the studies say, and their findings should be factored in to future planning decisions about new airports and runways.
A study published online by the British Medical Journal looking at the health of people living in the vicinity of Heathrow airport found those with the highest exposure were 10-20% more likely to be admitted to hospital for stroke, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. There was also an increased risk of death from those diseases. A linked study of the health of more than six million Americans over the age of 65 living around 89 US airports found that, on average, their risk went up 3.5% for every extra 10 decibels of noise, Guardian informs.
