Aircraft Noise Effects on Sleep-Results of a Pilot Study Near Philadelphia International Airport.

Mathias Basner,Maryam Witte,Sarah McGuire

doi:10.3390/ijerph16173178

Mathias Basner, Maryam Witte + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173178

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Abstract

Current objective data on aircraft noise effects on sleep are needed in the US to inform policy. In this pilot field study, heart rate and body movements were continuously measured during sleep of residents living in the vicinity of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and in a control region without aircraft noise with sociodemographic characteristics similar to the exposed region (N = 40 subjects each). The primary objective was to establish the feasibility of unattended field measurements. A secondary objective was to compare objective and subjective measures of sleep and health between control and aircraft noise exposed groups. For all measurements, there was less than 10% of data loss, demonstrating the feasibility of unattended home measurements. Based on 2375 recorded aircraft noise events, we found a significant (unadjusted p = 0.0136) exposure-response function between the maximum sound pressure level of aircraft noise events and awakening probability inferred from heart rate increases and body movements, which was similar to previous studies. Those living near the airport reported poorer sleep quality and poorer health than the control group in general, but when asked in the morning about their last night’s sleep, no significant difference was found between groups. Neither systolic nor diastolic morning blood pressures differed between study regions. While this study demonstrates the feasibility of unattended field study measurements, for a national study around multiple US airports refinements of the study design are necessary to further lower methodological expense and increase participation rates.

Highlights

According to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, approximately 9.4 million Americans (2.88%) were exposed to average 24-h aircraft noise levels exceeding 50 dB in 2017 [1]
Wake time is differentiated from sleep, and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is differentiated from non-REM sleep
Eighty participants were enrolled in the study, with each participant completing three nights of unattended sleep measurements

Summary

Introduction

According to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, approximately 9.4 million Americans (2.88%) were exposed to average 24-h aircraft noise levels exceeding 50 dB in 2017 [1]. US sleep studies on the effects of aircraft noise on sleep date back to 1996 [2]. US air traffic has changed significantly with changes in traffic volume and significant reductions in noise levels of single aircraft [3]. E.g., in building structure, the use of central and window air conditioning, airport operational procedures, and sleep timing, results from studies performed outside the US may not transfer directly to US domestic airports. It is important that field studies be conducted in the US to acquire current data on sleep disturbance relative to varying degrees of noise exposure. Sleep stages are identified based on specific patterns in the physiological signals for each 30-s segment of the night [4]. Wake time is differentiated from sleep, and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is differentiated from non-REM sleep (stages S1 through S4)

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