Environmental Impacts for Airport Management

Noise Pollution

    One of the biggest environmental impacts for airport management is noise pollution. Noise pollution is defined as harmful or annoying levels of noise. Noise pollution is not the only issue that airport management is dealing with there is also air pollution and water pollution to consider. I feel that the main impact of all three of these environmental impacts is Noise pollution. Noise pollution seems to have a large impact on the environment and those who live in it, and it is difficult to control. 

    Air pollution and water pollution release particles into the atmosphere. Noise remains the most difficult to manage of these issues. It is a rising concern among many communities especially those located near airports. Airports across the globe are now being confronted with the impact of noise and emissions on the quality of life that surrounds these residential areas. With the rising of airport expansions and growing traffic demands it is increasingly difficult for airport management to reduce their environmental impacts.

    The Scientist recently wrote an article on the harmful effects of noise pollution and how it is impacting our cardiovascular system. Noise can cause sleep disturbances, elicit anger, and trigger conditions such as tinnitus and coronary heart disease cause by reduced blood flow to the organ. Sleep disturbance leads to an increased risk of heart disease. In addition to this another study performed earlier this year established nighttime deaths, noise exposure levels two hours preceding death were significantly associated with heart-related mortality. 

    While noise pollution elimination is not well supported financially or politically there are ways that airports are trying to mitigate the issue. Many airports include zoning restrictions, sound insulation programs and  land property acquisition. Airports also operate with noise budgets, and have curfews to restrict certain noisy types of aircrafts. Airports also continue to monitor their noise levels. There are more strategies that airports are utilizing as well. Each has a positive impact on the environment and on people by reducing noise and even eliminating noise during specific hour like at night when it poses a larger threat. 

References 

Visser, H., & Wijnen, R. (2008). Management of the environmental impact at airport operations. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu

Münzel, T., & Hahad, O. (2021, June 1). How environmental noise harms the cardiovascular system. The Scientist Magazine®. https://www.the-scientist.com/features/how-environmental-noise-harms-the-cardiovascular-system-68786.