TagNoise(177)

A 1972 University of Washington environmental health report examines the serious physical and psychological effects of aircraft noise on residents living near Seattle-Tacoma Airport. On-site measurements recorded up to 95 dBA indoors, with hundreds of daily flyovers exceeding 75 dBA—levels shown by research to disrupt sleep, impair children's school performance, and pose long-term mental and physical health risks. The report also highlights how excessive ambient noise in nearby schools interferes with speech comprehension and the learning process.

A June 1972 noise study conducted by Washington State's Department of Social and Health Services measured aircraft noise levels at twelve locations near homes and schools in Zone Three around Sea-Tac Airport. All recorded noise levels exceeded 80 dBA, with a peak of 107 dBA, caused by jet aircraft including the 707, 727, 737, 747, and DC-8 during landing approaches and takeoffs. The study was requested by citizens representing 2,184 residences in the zone and aimed to assess the health impact of low-flying aircraft noise on the surrounding community.

This 1971 technical report, prepared by Theodore J. Schultz of Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides the scientific and technical background for noise abatement measures in HUD's housing programs. It supports HUD's guidelines for assessing noise exposure at residential sites, offering detailed evaluation procedures for determining acceptable noise levels near housing developments. The report was originally published in September 1970 and later revised to align with updated HUD noise exposure assessment guidelines.

This 1971 report, prepared by Wyle Laboratories for the California Department of Aeronautics, provides the technical supporting information behind California's adopted noise regulations for airports. It documents the research and methodology used to establish noise standards governing aircraft operations at California airports. While focused on California, the report represents an early example of state-level regulatory efforts to address airport noise impacts on surrounding communities.