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MAG Introduction:- El Toro was a military base in California. When it was proposed that El Toro should be converted for civilian use local people protested, much as members of MAG are now protesting about Manston. Below are some excerpts from a paper presented by Eric G. Walther PhD at a meeting of the Board of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority on March 17th 1997 R. Walthers is an expert in noise and air pollution and those who are not experts should listen to what he has to say. We have interspersed some of his observations with comments of our own to help relate what he is saying to our own particular case. --------------------------------- Eric G. Walther, PhD 21772 Northwood Lane Lake Forest, California 92630 March 17, 1997 My purpose is to provide you with scientific information on noise and its impacts on human health, and to encourage the citizens of Orange County to develop a more beneficial reuse of the base. My Professional Background • My PhD is in atmospheric science. • I have thirty (30) years experience conducting environmental research, including serving as a U.S. consultant to the United Nations. • I have authored 50 scientific articles and hold a U.S. patent on measuring air pollution. • My technical specialization is air pollution, including noise research I conducted for the National Science Foundation. • I am the responsible director and author of several EIS/EIR air quality analyses for projects whose future revenue to southern California are worth over $30 billion. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for Orange County violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by not disclosing to the public the full magnitude of damage that will be inflicted by noise from the proposed international airport. MAG Comment:- The people of Ramsgate have been told nothing of the noise damage which will be inflicted on them by the expansion of Manston Airport. The current local plan consultation document envisages an airport carrying 10million passengers a year. This would make Manston bigger and busier than Stansted is today. How can Councillors draw up plans of this magnitude without assessing the impact on the surrounding population ? It is plainly irresponsible. • A noise level of 90 dBA is roughly equivalent to that of a power mower outdoors or a food blender in the bedroom. • Suburban residents desire a noise level no higher than 30 dBA at night when they sleep. • Suburban residents will accept a slightly higher noise level 40 dBA without undue complaint. • A community will complain vigorously once people experience noise levels over 20 dBA above such acceptable levels. • At least 75 percent of sleeping people will be awakened if exposed to noise levels over 74 dBA. • More importantly, over 50 percent of people will not be able to go to sleep if exposed to noise levels higher than 74 dBA.
• Note that reacting after the International Airport is built will not un-build it.• Three-minute frequency of daytime (7 AM to 7 PM) landings and departures of jet aircraft would degrade student learning at our local schools.
• Such noise levels would make teaching and other interpersonal communication difficult.• A 1993 study showed that noise around LosAngeles International Airport (LAX) by Meecham and Shaw caused: - cardiovascular disease to increase 18% for people over 75 - accidental deaths to increase 60% for those over 75. - suicides to double for people between 45 and 54. Overall, approximately 60 more people died each year due to aircraft noise. • The LAX study did not analyze the following additional impacts: - infant awakenings and distress, leading to parental awakenings and loss of sleep with its consequent health effects - non-lethal accidents the next day for people who work with potentially dangerous machinery and who did not get enough sleep.
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