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A groundbreaking study from the University of Leicester reveals a strong connection between night-time aircraft noise and disrupted sleep patterns for residents living near major airports in the UK. The research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, combines objective data from wearable movement trackers with self-reported sleep information, marking the largest investigation into the impact of aircraft noise on sleep to date.
The study, led by environmental health experts at the University of Leicester’s Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, involved collaboration with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, University College London, Imperial College London, and City St George’s, University of London. Utilizing data from the UK Biobank—a comprehensive study originally designed to examine genetic links to disease—the research analyzed sleep patterns of over 80,000 participants residing near four major airports: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham.
By employing actimetry, a method involving wearable devices that track movement during sleep, the researchers gathered objective data on participants’ sleep quality from 2013 to 2015. Additionally, self-reported sleep data from questionnaires collected between 2006 and 2013 provided insight into participants’ perceptions of their sleep.
Lead author Xiangpu Gong, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Leicester, emphasized the innovative approach of combining these two data sources. “The wearable devices provided objective data about how restful sleep was and the patterns of sleep, while questionnaires helped us understand how people felt about their sleep,” he explained.
The analysis focused on individuals exposed to varying levels of night-time aircraft noise, categorized by average decibel levels. Those living in areas with noise levels averaging 55 dB or more experienced significantly increased restlessness and disruptions in their sleep-wake cycles compared to those exposed to quieter environments (under 45 dB). Importantly, while the total time spent in bed remained relatively consistent across groups, the quality of sleep was notably poorer for those facing higher noise levels.
Professor Anna Hansell, who led the study, highlighted the implications of these findings. “Our study suggests that night-time aircraft noise was associated with more restless sleep and disrupted sleep-wake cycles,” she said. “Poorer sleep patterns, as measured by actimetry, have been linked to higher risks of mental health issues, conditions like diabetes and obesity, and even increased mortality risk.”
The researchers expressed concern regarding the current push for increased night flights at airports, warning that such measures could exacerbate noise pollution and its associated health impacts. “The key message for the public is that higher night-time aircraft noise was linked with disturbed sleep quality, even if people didn’t realize it,” Xiangpu noted. “Sleep disturbance could have long-term effects on health, so it’s crucial for policies to address and reduce noise pollution from airplanes.”
This study is a significant step forward in understanding the effects of environmental noise on public health, and it underscores the necessity for effective noise reduction strategies to safeguard the well-being of those living near airports.
