Noise

Since the publication of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe noise guidelines in 2018 covering all transport modes 

, a substantial amount of research has been undertaken regarding the health impacts of exposure to aircraft noise, reinforcing earlier findings and uncovering new associations.

Aircraft noise exposure remains directly linked to higher levels of annoyance and sleep disturbances. Recent studies have also identified that these direct aviation noise impacts contribute, along with other related factors, to a broader range of health impacts, such as cardiovascular health (e.g. worsening blood vessels and heart functions), metabolic issues (e.g. obesity, diabetes), mental health (e.g. depression), and cognitive function, particularly in children (e.g. reading and language skills 

- .

As part of the Environmental Noise Directive (END) 

, Member States are required to produce strategic noise maps for major airports handling more than 50 000 movements a year, as well as major and non- major airports within urban areas of more than 100 000 inhabitants, that can then be used as a basis for noise action plans. The END assessment thresholds⁸ focus on areas that are exposed to noise levels equal or higher than L_den 55 decibels (dB) and L_night 50 dB. However, it is important to note that negative health impacts start below the END thresholds, and that WHO Europe recommends noise levels of L_den 45 dB and L_night 40 dB for air traffic noise  .

According to data submitted under the 2022 round of END noise mapping, it is estimated that 2.4 million people are exposed to aircraft noise levels above L_den 55 dB, while 0.7 million are affected by noise levels above L_night 50 dB. If we consider the lower WHO Europe thresholds, then these numbers are estimated to increase to 14.9 million and 5.3 million, respectively (

). Note that the 2022 strategic noise maps reflect the situation of the preceding year, during which the effects of COVID on passenger transport were still significant.

Based on the END 2022 data at 50 airports in EU27+EFTA, it is estimated that 649 000 people experience high levels of annoyance due to long-term exposure to aircraft noise, while approximately 127 000 individuals suffer from significant sleep disturbances 

. WHO Europe thresholds would increase these figures to around 2.3 million and 680 000, respectively. Other health impacts from noise, where aircraft noise could be a contributory factor, were estimated to include 500 cases of cardiovascular diseases, 200 cases of type 2 diabetes, and 600 premature deaths. Furthermore, more than 7 900 schoolchildren may experience reading impairments as a result of aircraft noise in their schools ( ). Overall, the burden of disease attributable to aircraft noise was estimated to be around 19 000 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).⁹

---

⁸ L_den is the sound pressure level averaged over the year for the day, evening and night time periods, with a +5 dB penalty for the evening and +10 dB for the night. L_night is the sound pressure level averaged over the year for the night time period only. 
⁹ Disability-adjusted life years (DALY) is defined as the sum of years of life lost due to death and years of life lost due to health restrictions.