Annoyance due to aircraft noise has increased over the years--results of the HYENA study.
In the HYENA study (HYpertension and Exposure to Noise near Airports) noise annoyances due to aircraft and road traffic noise were assessed in subjects that lived in the vicinity of 6 major European airports using the 11-point ICBEN scale (International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise). A distinction was made between the annoyance during the day and during the night. L(den) and L(night) were considered as indicators of noise exposure. Pooled data analyses showed clear exposure-response relationships between the noise level and the noise annoyance for both exposures. The exposure-response curves for road noise were congruent with the EU standard curves used for predicting the number of highly noise annoyed subjects in European communities. Annoyance ratings due to aircraft noise, however, were higher than predicted by the EU standard curves. The data supports other findings suggesting that the people's attitude towards aircraft noise has changed over the years, and that the EU standard curve for aircraft noise should be modified.
Babisch
Wolfgang
W
Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, Berlin, 14195, Germany. wolfgang.babisch@uba.de
Houthuijs
Danny
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Pershagen
Göran
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Cadum
Ennio
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Katsouyanni
Klea
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Velonakis
Manolis
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Dudley
Marie-Louise
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Marohn
Heinz-Dieter
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Swart
Wim
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Breugelmans
Oscar
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Bluhm
Gösta
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Selander
Jenny
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Vigna-Taglianti
Federica
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Pisani
Salvatore
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Haralabidis
Alexandros
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Dimakopoulou
Konstantina
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Zachos
Ioannis
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Järup
Lars
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D000368:Aged; D000401:Aircraft / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000786:Anger; D001336:Automobiles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009624:Noise, Transportation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors