The research programme will investigate how aircraft noise on residential patios affects human health and quality of life.
The results can be used to design guidelines for the application of standards for aircraft noise close to residential patios. Results from sub-projects will be compiled and integrated with previous research on aircraft noise and health. The Swedish EPA will contribute SEK 3 million to the programme, which will run from 2010 to 2012.
The programme examines two things:
- The long-term effects of living near airports: A questionnaire was sent out to approximately 4,000 residents, who are exposed to a number of overflights with varying patterns of aviation noise. The survey includes questions that investigate noise, use of the patio, psychosocial disorders, noise sensitivity and attitudes to air navigation.
- The immediate effects of aircraft noise on the patios: In a field experiment, a public-address system reproduces and exposes a patio area to aircraft noise in various combinations. Researchers study the immediate effects by measuring the disturbance caused by the noise, the problems hearing normal conversation and physiological stress responses (e.g. blood pressure and salivary cortisol).
Contacts
Swedish EPA
Kyriakos Zachariadis
Phone: +46 (0)10 698 1683
E-mail: kyriakos.zachariadis@swedishepa.se
Tove Hammarberg
Phone: +46 (0)10 698 1332
E-mail: tove.hammarberg@swedishepa.se
Stockholm University
Mats Nilsson
Phone: +46 (0)704 381 778
E-mail: mats.nilsson@psychology.su.se