KSOEM
Articles
- Page Path
- HOME > Ann Occup Environ Med > Volume 22(4); 2010 > Article
- Original Article Effects of Aircraft Noise on Children's Mental Health: Data from the Health Survey of Inhabitants in the Vicinity of Gunsan Airport
- Kyeong Yeol Yu, Jae Beom Park, Kyoung Bok Min, Chan Lee, Hyun Gwon Kil, Yu Rim Jung, Kyung Jong Lee
-
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.4.298
Published online: December 31, 2010
1Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Korea. 
2Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Korea. leekj@ajou.ac.kr
3Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Suwon, Korea.
2Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Korea. leekj@ajou.ac.kr
3Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Suwon, Korea.
- 66 Views
- 0 Download
- 2 Crossref
- 0 Scopus
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of aircraft noise exposure on children's mental health problems such as depression and personality.
METHODS
We obtained data from the health examinations of school children in the vicinity of Gunsan airport. This survey was conducted in the rural area, Gunsan during 2009. The study population included 195 children attending 4th to 6th grade from 6 elementary schools near the airport. Based on 60 Weighted Equivalent Continuous Perceived Noise Level (WECPNL) measures of aircraft noise, participants were divided into 2 groups; the exposure group consisted of 106 children from 4 schools, and the reference group included 89 children from the 2 schools in Gunsan. All children completed questions on general characteristics, the Korean Children's Depression Inventory (KCDI) for depression, and the Korea Human Nature Inspection (KHNI) for personality.
RESULTS
Children in the exposure group were at higher risk of depression (5.62, 95% CI 1.12~28.25), and personality changes (2.08, 95% CI 1.07~4.05) than those of the reference group. In particular, children's diligence, cooperation, and concentration, subgroups of personality measure, were affected significantly and negatively, by aircraft noise level.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that exposure to aircraft noise at school is associated with mental health problems in children. Requirements should be implemented to manage aircraft noise of its affect on children's health.
Cite
