People living in communities near noisy airports have evidenced a higher incidence of cardiovascular and circulatory problems. Although the data on noise and these health problems are not yet solidified, they are strong enough to serve as warnings. Other research notes that residents exposed to overhead aircraft noise complain of a diminished quality of life, e.g. not being able to read, watch television, converse, relax or sleep well. Of special concern is the research reporting that children living near airports suffered from stress and elevated blood pressure. These children, like adults, rate their quality of life as poorer than children living in quieter areas.
Children can suffer in other ways as well.
Noise can slow down their learning and reading skills as demonstrated in studies of children who live in noisy environments or attend schools near noise sources such as highways, railroads and airports. Laboratory studies have found that noise and aggression go hand in hand. Thus it shouldn't be surprising that when we read newspaper accounts of neighbors battling over noise, many report the display of outright aggression. Furthermore, in noisy surroundings, people are also less likely to be helpful to each other. Noise can no longer be viewed as an annoyance or inconvenience or an intrusion to which one must adapt.