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CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO AIRCRAFT NOISE DAMAGES CHILDREN’S EDUCATION

Research published in the International Journal of Epidemiology has confirmed the findings of previous studies. In schools which are subjected to high levels of aircraft noise, children’s health and education is adversely affected. The study involved pupils from four schools in West London, which are subjected to noise from aircraft using Heathrow airport. The journal article is freely available on the internet ( http://ije.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/full/30/4/839 )

A number of key conclusions are drawn :

  • Children’s reading comprehension was shown to be affected by exposure to aircraft noise.
  • Exposure to aircraft noise affected the children’s ability to concentrate for sustained periods of time.
  • Children who were exposed to aircraft noise suffered from higher levels of perceived stress and raised levels of annoyance.
  • The effects on children’s health and academic performance persisted over a period of one year, leading the authors to conclude that pupils do not learn to cope with the noise and do not get used to it.

Scientific Journals such as the International Journal of Epidemiology are peer reviewed. This means that the conclusions have been looked at by academics working in this area of research, and are considered to be valid and accurate. Since this study also confirms the results of earlier work at airports in Los Angeles, Munich and New York, it should be taken seriously. Councillors are not qualified to ignore this level of research.

Thanet District Council (TDC) has recently asked the Wiggins Group PLC to commission an Environmental Impact Assessment of the impacts which will be caused by increased flight activity at Manston airport. Noise from flights using Manston affects a large number of schools. TDC was asked to give a ‘scoping opinion’ for the factors which the consultants should address in their report. The Council did not ask that the consultants specifically address the effects on local schools.

In light of this research, the failure to ask for evidence into the effect on schools is a serious oversight on the part of TDC. It will not be possible to unbuild airport development if it is subsequently found to be affecting schoolchildren. It is imperative that the people of Thanet receive properly researched assurances that Manston will not be allowed to expand to a point where it damages children’s health and education.