Relationship Between Aircraft Noise Exposure and Depression, Anxiety, Stress in Korea

Abstract

PP-29-181 Background/Aims: Although there have been many studies on health effects of nocturnal traffic noise, studies on the relationship between aircraft noise and mental health are limited. This study was aimed to evaluate the dose-response relationship between degree of Gunsan airfield noise and mental health. Methods: Drawing up a noise map was done by following integrated noise model, considering daylight and night flying, and takeoff and turnaround, and also revision and verification were conducted. On the basis of noise map, the neighboring regions of Gunsan airfield were divided into the following 3 groups: the high exposed group with 80 weighted equivalent continuous perceived noise level (WECPNL) or more, low exposed group below 80 WECPNL and above 60 WECPNL, and control group below 60 WECPNL. A total of 1082 individuals aged 30–79 years participated in a comprehensive self-administrated questionnaire, requesting information on demographics, medical history, lifestyle, and depression anxiety stress scale. Of them, 1027 subjects were analyzed, excluding 55 inappropriate targets. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was increased by degree of noise exposure (P for trend <0.05). After adjusting for sex, the high-exposed group was found to have an elevated risk of depression (OR, 1.96), anxiety (OR, 4.18), and stress (OR, 3.85). Conclusion: The aircraft noise seems to be related to mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Further evaluations are needed to verify the relationship between aircraft noise and mental health through a large-scale follow-up study.