TagAcademic Journals(31)

A French study measured ultrafine particle (UFP) and black carbon (BC) air pollution inside aircraft cabins across 16 European commercial flights, finding average concentrations of 9,122 particles/cm³ for UFP and 207 ng/m³ for BC. Pollution levels were highest during ground phases such as boarding and taxiing, then dropped during flight, with outdoor airport air identified as the primary source of cabin air pollution. These findings suggest that airport ambient air quality plays a greater role in passenger exposure than in-flight sources.

The University of Washington held an Advisory Group Meeting on October 3, 2025, focused on urban ultrafine particles (nano-particles) and their sources, including aviation-related emissions near areas like Sea-Tac Airport. The meeting aimed to foster dialogue, address knowledge gaps from the MOV-UP study, identify priority research questions, and guide scientific research on air quality monitoring. Advisors were asked to provide feedback on study design and methodology, with a time commitment including annual meetings and optional review of study outputs.

A comprehensive study measuring ultrafine particles, lead, and other air pollutants from aviation emissions at Hanscom Field across four surrounding Massachusetts towns. The study found that UFP concentrations were up to two-fold higher at downwind sites and often exceeded WHO guidelines, with the highest impacts in Bedford and Lexington.

A Canadian research study found that exposure to airborne nanoparticles is linked to higher mortality risk in Toronto and Montreal. The study, published in 2024 and funded by the Health Effects Institute, analyzed particle concentration data across Canada's two largest cities to assess long-term health impacts. While focused on urban air quality in Canada, the findings contribute to broader scientific understanding of how fine airborne particles from traffic and other sources affect public health.

A large study of nearly 75,000 female nurses living near 90 U.S. airports found that those exposed to higher levels of aircraft noise were more likely to have higher body mass index (BMI) and greater weight gain since age 18. Women exposed to the loudest aircraft noise (55 decibels or more) had an 11% higher chance of being obese and a 15% higher chance of falling into the highest category of weight gain compared to those in quieter areas. The findings suggest that chronic aircraft noise exposure — such as that experienced by residents near Sea-Tac Airport — may contribute to obesity risk, potentially through stress-related pathways including disrupted sleep and hormonal changes.

This supplemental material accompanies a research study examining whether aircraft noise exposure is linked to poorer sleep among women in the Nurses' Health Study, a large U.S. health cohort. The study measured nighttime and day-night aircraft sound levels near 90 U.S. airports and analyzed their association with self-reported short sleep duration and poor sleep quality. Researchers used detailed statistical methods, including directed acyclic graphs and multivariable models, to account for confounding factors and assess exposure-response relationships.

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP11662