Monitoring van gezondheid en beleving rondom de luchthaven Schiphol

The health status of the population living around Schiphol Airport did not change substantially after the opening of the fifth runway. However, spatial shifts did occur in the noise exposure and the occurrence of annoyance and sleep disturbance. There is growing evidence for an association between exposure to air traffic noise and the prevalence of high blood pressure around Schiphol Airport. These are some of the results of a monitoring program carried out in the framework of the Health Impact Assessment Schiphol Airport (HIAS), designed to study environmental burden, health and perceptions around Schiphol Airport. This monitoring program is a consequence of commitments made in 1994 in the National Spatial Planning Key Decision for Schiphol Airport and Surroundings. The opening of the fifth runway in 2003 has led to spatial shifts in noise exposure. On balance, fewer people were exposed to high levels of noise in 2005 than in 2002, though on average noise level increased for those exposed to relatively low levels. Locally, however, large deviations from this general picture were seen. Air traffic and the activities of the airport contribute no more than a few percentage points to the local air pollution levels. On the basis of results from this monitoring program, from earlier HIAS research, and from international literature, we observe growing evidence for an association between aircraft noise exposure and high blood pressure. In addition, associations between aircraft noise and both poor self-perceived health and the use of sedatives are observed. No relation is seen between aircraft noise and mental health. It is unlikely that, in addition to the noise level itself, an increase in the noise level due to the opening of the fifth runway has had extra influence on possible health effects. There is no evidence that air traffic contributes to the occurrence of respiratory disorders; however, the concern among residents regarding health complaints due to air traffic has increased after 2002. Since 1996, severe annoyance and severe sleep disturbance around Schiphol Airport have decreased on balance. However, less severe sleep disturbance has increased since 2002. Annoyance, sleep disturbance, filing a complaint about air traffic noise, and environmental concern all have a strong relation with aircraft noise levels. In addition, an increase in noise exposure leads to an extra increase in the number of severely annoyed residents and residents who file a complaint about the noise. Those who are severely annoyed by aircraft noise are more likely to have poor self-perceived health and more likely to report high blood pressure.