Aircraft Noise Slows Learning

Each five-decibel increase in aircraft noise can delay a child’s reading ability by two months, according to a study of children living near airports in Europe, published in the June 4, 2005, issue of

The Lancet. “In practical terms, aircraft noise might have only a small effect on the development of reading, but the effect of long-term exposure remains unknown,” says Stephen Stansfeld, who led the research. The study is available online at www.thelancet.com. For information on building for noise management, see

EBN

Vol. 10, No. 1.