TagHealth(97)

A 2014 Massachusetts state health study found that children living near Logan International Airport are up to four times more likely to show signs of undiagnosed asthma, while adults living nearby for three or more years are nearly twice as likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The $1.8 million study, commissioned by the state Legislature 14 years prior, confirmed statistically significant respiratory health effects even after accounting for vehicle traffic emissions, smoking rates, and poverty. No elevated rates of heart disease or hearing loss were found among airport-area residents.

A Swiss study interviewed 67 patients with obstructive sleep apnea who used CPAP therapy to estimate the monetary value people place on undisturbed sleep. Patients valued a good night's sleep at an average of about 70 Swiss francs per night, and after adjusting for the difference in severity between sleep apnea and traffic noise disturbance, the researchers estimated that noise-free sleep is worth roughly 7 to 24 Swiss francs per person per night. The findings suggest that sleep disrupted by road traffic noise carries a significant monetary cost that should be factored into airport and transportation noise policy decisions.

EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) QuickView pages for Antimony (CASRN 7440-36-0) and Arsenic, inorganic (CASRN 7440-38-2), accessed February 14, 2002. Antimony oral RfD is 4×10-4 mg/kg-day based on LOAEL of 0.35 mg/kg-day from Schroeder et al. 1970 rat chronic oral bioassay; confidence rated Low. Arsenic oral RfD is 3×10-4 mg/kg-day based on NOAEL of

This EPA document explains how poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools can harm students' health and academic performance, causing absences due to respiratory illnesses and reducing the ability to concentrate, calculate, and remember. Studies show that high pollution levels, inadequate ventilation, and improper temperature and humidity control contribute to these problems. The EPA recommends schools use the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit to identify and address indoor air quality issues at little or no cost.

This December 1999 report from the Washington State Department of Health investigates community health concerns near Seattle-Tacoma (SeaTac) International Airport, focusing on whether cancer rates—particularly glioblastoma and breast cancer—are elevated in surrounding neighborhoods. The report examines potential links between jet engine exhaust emissions and health outcomes, reviews air quality studies, and assesses respiratory disease risks, especially for schools located under flight paths. It was prepared collaboratively by state and county public health officials alongside community representatives.

This 1999 report by the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health profiles the health of the community surrounding Seattle-Tacoma (SeaTac) Airport, comparing local health indicators to King County as a whole. Key findings include higher rates of lung cancer, firearm-related deaths, teen births, and respiratory hospitalizations in the SeaTac community, alongside lower rates of heart disease and stroke deaths among older residents. The report was produced in response to a request from local residents seeking a comprehensive community health assessment.

A 1997 Cornell University study found that elementary school children chronically exposed to aircraft noise showed significant reading deficits, even when tested under quiet conditions — meaning the harm stems from long-term exposure, not just momentary distraction. The researchers identified impaired language acquisition, particularly speech perception, as a key reason why noise-exposed children fall behind in reading. These findings have direct relevance for communities near busy airports, where sustained noise levels may quietly undermine children's academic development.