TagHealth(108)

H.R. 4087, the 'Protecting Airport Communities from Particle Emissions Act,' introduced in October 2017, directs the FAA to study ultrafine particles (tiny airborne particles under 100 nanometers) around the 20 busiest U.S. airports, including their health effects on surrounding communities. The study must examine particle sources, concentration patterns, and health impacts such as heart disease, asthma, and nervous system disorders, with special attention to disproportionate effects on communities of color and economically vulnerable residents. The FAA is required to coordinate with the EPA and Department of Health and Human Services and report findings to Congress within two years.

Two studies highlight serious air pollution concerns near major U.S. airports. A 2014 Massachusetts state health study found that children living near Boston's Logan Airport are up to four times more likely to develop asthma symptoms, while nearby adults are nearly twice as likely to suffer chronic lung disease. A 2015 NJIT study reinforced these concerns nationwide, finding pollution levels up to 10 times higher within nine square miles of airports—with Seattle-Tacoma Airport specifically cited for carbon monoxide levels exceeding federal guidelines.

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.

The Health of King County 2006 report provides a broad overview of the health status of King County, Washington residents, drawing on public health data from vital records, hospital discharges, and surveys. While King County residents generally enjoy better health than the rest of Washington State and the US, the report highlights growing concerns including rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Chronic diseases accounted for 21,000 hospitalizations in 2004 at a cost of $531 million, with cancer, heart disease, and stroke alone responsible for more than half of all deaths in the county.