Noise - Health impacts

Title

Noise pollution alters ecological services: enhanced pollination and disrupted seed dispersal

Reference

Proceedings of the Royal Society B
doi: 10.1098/rspb.2012.0230

Author(s)

Clinton D. Francis, Nathan J. Kleist, Catherine P. Ortega and Alexander Cruz

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Noise pollution is a novel, widespread environmental force that has recently been shown to alter the behaviour and distribution of birds and other vertebrates, yet whether noise has cumulative, community-level consequences by changing critical ecological services is unknown. Herein, we examined the effects of noise pollution on pollination and seed dispersal and seedling establishment within a study system that isolated the effects of noise from confounding stimuli common to human-altered landscapes. Using observations, vegetation surveys and pollen transfer and seed removal experiments, we found that effects of noise pollution can reverberate through communities by disrupting or enhancing these ecological services. Specifically, noise pollution indirectly increased artificial flower pollination by hummingbirds, but altered the community of animals that prey upon and disperse Pinus edulis seeds, potentially explaining reduced P. edulis seedling recruitment in noisy areas. Despite evidence that some ecological services, such as pollination, may benefit indirectly owing to noise, declines in seedling recruitment for key-dominant species such as P. edulis may have dramatic long-term effects on ecosystem structure and diversity. Because the extent of noise pollution is growing, this study emphasizes that investigators should evaluate the ecological consequences of noise alongside other human-induced environmental changes that are reshaping human-altered landscapes worldwide.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Ecosystem services
Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Human impacts
Noise >> Health impacts

Keywords

anthropogenic noise birds ecological service human disturbance pollination seed dispersal

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2012/03/15/rspb.2012.0230.abstract
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Contact the study author at:

clinton.francis@nescent.org

Title

Reference

Acta Acustica united with Acustica,
Volume 98, Number 2, March/April 2012 , pp. 286-300(15)

Author(s)

Morel, J.; Marquis-Favre, C.; Viollon, S.; Alayrac, M.

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

In this study, broadband noises are combined on the one hand with low-frequency content noises and on the other hand with 100 Hz-main-component noises. The total noise annoyance due to the 2 types of combinations is assessed through two laboratory experiments. Six classical models of total annoyance due to combined noises are tested and discussed. The strongest component model appears to be a weak total annoyance predictor for the studied combined noises. One reason may be that it fails to take into account the asymmetries between the annoyance-inhibiting properties between the combined noises. Overall classical models of total annoyance, the weighted-summation model yields the best prediction. By integrating the features of two classical models into a new mixed model, total annoyance prediction is more improved.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Noise pollution
Noise >> Health impacts

Keywords

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/dav/aaua/2012/00000098/00000002/art00008#expand/collapse
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julien.morel@developpement-durable.gouv.fr

Title

A comparison between exposure-response relationships for wind turbine annoyance and annoyance due to other noise sources

Reference

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 130, Issue 6, pp. 3746-3753 (2011)

Author(s)

Sabine A. Janssen, Henk Vos, Arno R. Eisses, and Eja Pedersen

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

Surveys have shown that noise from wind turbines is perceived as annoying by a proportion of residents living in their vicinity, apparently at much lower noise levels than those inducing annoyance due to other environmental sources. The aim of the present study was to derive the exposure-response relationship between wind turbine noise exposure in Lden and the expected percentage annoyed residents and to compare it to previously established relationships for industrial noise and transportation noise. In addition, the influence of several individual and situational factors was assessed. On the basis of available data from two surveys in Sweden (N = 341, N = 754) and one survey in the Netherlands (N = 725), a relationship was derived for annoyance indoors and for annoyance outdoors at the dwelling. In comparison to other sources of environmental noise, annoyance due to wind turbine noise was found at relatively low noise exposure levels. Furthermore, annoyance was lower among residents who received economical benefit from wind turbines and higher among residents for whom the wind turbine was visible from the dwelling. Age and noise sensitivity had similar effects on annoyance to those found in research on annoyance by other sources.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Noise pollution
Noise >> Health impacts

Keywords

acoustic noise, wind turbines

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://asadl.org/jasa/resource/1/jasman/v130/i6/p3746_s1?isAuthorized=no
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sabine.janssen@tno.nl

Title

Cognition/aircraft. Night time aircraft noise exposure and children’s cognitive performance

Reference

Noise & Health Year : 2010  Volume : 12   Issue : 49   Page : 255-62

Author(s)

Authors: Stephen Stansfeld, Staffan Hygge, Charlotte Clark, Tamuno Alfred

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Chronic aircraft noise exposure in children is associated with impairment of reading and long-term memory. Most studies have not differentiated between day or nighttime noise exposure. It has been hypothesized that sleep disturbance might mediate the association of aircraft noise exposure and cognitive impairment in children. This study involves secondary analysis of data from the Munich Study and the UK Road Traffic and Aircraft Noise Exposure and Children's Cognition and Health (RANCH) Study sample to test this. In the Munich study, 330 children were assessed on cognitive measures in three measurement waves a year apart, before and after the switchover of airports. Self-reports of sleep quality were analyzed across airports, aircraft noise exposure and measurement wave to test whether changes in nighttime noise exposure had any effect on reported sleep quality, and whether this showed the same pattern as for changes in cognitive performance. For the UK sample of the RANCH study, night noise contour information was linked to the children's home and related to sleep disturbance and cognitive performance. In the Munich study, analysis of sleep quality questions showed no consistent interactions between airport, noise, and measurement wave, suggesting that poor sleep quality does not mediate the association between noise exposure and cognition. Daytime and nighttime aircraft noise exposure was highly correlated in the RANCH study. Although night noise exposure was significantly associated with impaired reading and recognition memory, once home night noise exposure was centered on daytime school noise exposure, night noise had no additional effect to daytime noise exposure. These analyses took advantage of secondary data available from two studies of aircraft noise and cognition. They were not initially designed to examine sleep disturbance and cognition, and thus, there are methodological limitations which make it less than ideal in giving definitive answers to these questions. In conclusion, results from both studies suggest that night aircraft noise exposure does not appear to add any cognitive performance decrement to the cognitive decrement induced by daytime aircraft noise alone. We suggest that the school should be the main focus of attention for protection of children against the effects of aircraft noise on school performance.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Noise pollution
Noise >> Health impacts                                                    
Noise >> Noise management >> Noise mapping and monitoring

Keywords

Noise, sleep, cognition, child health, memory

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy Thematic Issue

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.noiseandhealth.org/article.asp?issn=1463-1741;year=2010;volume=12;issue=49;spage=255;epage=262;aulast=Stansfeld#cadd

Contact the study author at:

s.a.stansfield@qmul.ac.uk

Title

Burden of disease from environmental noise
Quantification of healthy life years lost in Europe

Reference

WHO/JRC Report 2010 ISBN: 978 92 890 0229 5

Author(s)

The WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, Bonn Office, WHO Regional Office for Europe coordinated the development of this publication.

Study type

Report

Abstract

The health impacts of environmental noise are a growing concern among both the general public and policy-makers in Europe. This publication was prepared by experts in working groups convened by the WHO Regional Office for Europe to provide technical support to policy-makers and their advisers in the quantitative risk assessment of environmental noise, using evidence and data available in Europe. The chapters contain the summary of synthesized reviews of evidence on the relationship between environmental noise and specific health effects, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance and tinnitus. A chapter on annoyance is also included. For each outcome, the environmental burden of disease methodology, based on exposure–response relationship, exposure distribution, background prevalence of disease and disability weights of the outcome, is applied to calculate the burden of disease in terms of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). With conservative assumptions applied to the calculation methods, it is estimated that DALYs lost from environmental noise are 61 000 years for ischaemic heart disease, 45 000 years for cognitive impairment of children, 903 000 years for sleep disturbance, 22 000 years for tinnitus and 587 000 years for annoyance in the European Union Member States and other western European countries. These results indicate that at least one million healthy life years are lost every year from trafficrelated noise in the western part of Europe. Sleep disturbance and annoyance, mostly related to road traffic noise, comprise the main burden of environmental noise. Owing to a lack of exposure data in south-east Europe and the newly independent states, it was not possible to estimate the disease burden in the whole of the WHO European Region. The procedure of estimating burdens related to environmental noise exposure presented here can be used by international, national and local authorities as long as the assumptions, limitations and uncertainties reported in this publication are carefully taken into account.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Noise pollution
Noise >> Health impacts

Keywords

noise – adverse effects, environmental exposure, environmental health, risk assessment, public health, health status, europe

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy Thematic Issue

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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This report is free to view
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/136466/e94888.pdf

Contact the study author at:

rki@ecehbonn.euro.who.int

Title

Ban on night flights at Heathrow Airport : A quick scan Social Cost Benefit Analysis

Reference

Delft Report: January 2011

Author(s)

Jasper Faber, Maria Korteland

Study type

Report

Abstract

Night flights are often considered an essential element of airline networks. Long haul passengers who want to arrive in Europe at the beginning of the day often need to land during the night, especially when they arrive at a transfer airport such as Heathrow from where they take another flight to their final destination.
However, the noise they create is detrimental to human well-being as it causes sleep disturbance, increase in medicine use, stress and (environmental) insomnia. Around London Heathrow Airport, a large number of people are affected by aircraft noise during the night time.
As the UK Government reviews its limit on the number of night flights allowed at Heathrow, this report endeavours to quantify the costs and benefits to the UK of a ban on night flights at Heathrow before 6.00am. It uses social cost benefit analysis (SCBA) to do so. SCBA systematically identifies all the direct, indirect and external effects of a night flight ban and expresses them in monetary terms so that the net costs or benefits can be calculated. It uses the broad definition of welfare, in which all items that add to the well-being of the society are benefits, and all items that decrease well-being are costs. The boundaries of SCBA presented here are UK welfare effects. The presented SCBA is a quick scan SCBA, based on values from the literature.
We assess the costs and benefits of a night flight ban against a baseline scenario in which the current regime is continued. Airlines and passengers can respond in several ways to a night flight ban. We identify three extremes:
All flights and connections are rescheduled to daytime operations.
All flights are rescheduled to daytime operations but connections are lost, leading to a decrease in the number of transfer passengers.
All flights currently arriving or departing during the night are cancelled.
Most responses are likely to fall within these boundaries. Likewise, the costs and benefits of a night flight ban are likely to fall between the costs and benefits of these extremes.
This report finds that the impacts of a night flight ban on UK welfare are likely to range from an increase of £860 million to a decrease of £35 million over a period of ten years (2013-2023). The loss would occur if all current night time passengers stopped travelling to Heathrow once a night flight ban was introduced. That however is highly unlikely. The most likely scenario is that a proportion of them will continue to use the airport. If that is the case, a night flight ban before 6.00am will bring economic benefits to the overall economy. This is because there will be a significant decrease in the costs associated with sleep disturbance. The savings that will bring, in terms of improved health and well-being, are expected to offset the main costs of a ban - passengers' time and airline profits - by a wide margin. The results are sensitive, however, to the valuation of night noise, and we recommend studying the benefits of noise reductions in more detail. Other items that require more study are the impact on passenger choices, on airline networks and on tourism.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Noise pollution
Environmental economics >> Economic impacts of environmental change
Noise >> Health impacts
Noise >> Reduction measures

Keywords

Aviation, Night flights, Costs, Effects, Analysis

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.hacan.org.uk/resources/reports/night.flight.final.report.pdf
This study is free to view

Contact the study author at:

www.cedelft.eu