Abstract
Noise is one of the most important problems linked to aviation. It can lead to health issues, as well as to negative social and economic effects. Examples of health issues produced by aviation are sleep disturbance, community annoyance, cardiovascular disease, and mental health problems. Aircraft noise is one, if not the most detrimental environmental effect of aviation. It can cause community annoyance, disrupt sleep, adversely affect academic performance of children, and could increase the risk for cardiovascular disease of people living in the vicinity of airports. In some airports, noise constrains air traffic growth. This consensus paper was prepared by the Impacts of Science Group of the Committee for Aviation Environmental Protection of the International Civil Aviation Organization and summarizes the state of the science of noise effects research in the areas of noise measurement and prediction, community annoyance, children’s learning, sleep disturbance, and health.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study
Pollution is a pressing multi-sectoral challenge implicated in the progression of the decadal climate change (Singh, A., Pope, F. and Avis, W.R. (2020). Particularly, air and noise pollution present health, economic and social threats to countries globally. There are now growing concerns by global aviation authorities and environmentalists that airports have substantial contributions to environmental pollution WHO (2018). They have been implicated for various ecological issues relating to acid rain, climate change, tropospheric ozone and potential risks linked to regional, ecological, environmental and public health. For example, aircraft emissions of pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds are known to contribute to the atmospheric pool of greenhouse gases (ICAO) (2011). Aircraft air pollutant emissions are grossly categorized into 1) emissions during the landing and take-off (LTO) cycle and 2) those during the non-LTO flight cycle. The former produce emissions with prominent impacts compared with the latter. Increase in air transport volumes and expansion of airports to meet future capacity needs have made aircraft emissions during the LTO more prominent and of general research interest. As Nigeria strives towards achieving sustainable development goals, and adequate health care for an estimated population of about 198 million people that is growing at the rate of 3.2% per annum, Nigeria faces the challenges of population impact on its environmental resources (Raimi MO, Abdulraheem AF, Major 2019). Nigeria ranks among the most urbanized countries in the world. In 2000 the urbanization rate was 28.6 percent rising to 35.3 percent in 2009 and 49.8% in 2010 with the rate projected to increase to 56.8 percent and 63.6 percent in 2020 and 2030 respectively. Interestingly, the global concerns for environmental protection and sustainable development stem out of the fact that noise pollution cause disasters. This affect both the rich and the poor, though the poor are the highest hit and most vulnerable. Noise pollution has been on the increase in this 21st century and has become an issue of serious global concern. It is a social problem with public health impact which has become a part of the urban culture. Despite this obvious positive impact of air transport, air transport has also generated negative impacts. One of such impact is Aircraft noise. Noise is an unwanted sound observed at the wrong place at the wrong time. It is a hazard, and if extreme, may cause damage to the hearing organ (Basner et al., 2015). Noise pollution is a serious global problem (Piccolo and Plutino, 2005). It is an everyday occurrence, especially in the urban areas. Though noise disturbance cuts across all fields, the most common source of noise is transportation noise including road traffic, railways and aviation (airport). Aircraft noise has been a significant source of community noise. Of concern are impacts on people and communities near the airport site performing activities which are totally unrelated to airport activities (e.g., area residents, office workers, school children and hospital residents and staffs). An increased use of air transportation has overtime resulted into a corresponding increase in aircraft noise which has placed the health of residents of the airport vicinity at great risk. World Health Organization (WHO 2018). Port-Harcourt is the capital of Rivers State and airport town in South- South Nigeria. It lies along Bonny boundary, an eastern distributory of the Niger, 66Km (41 miles) upstream from the gulf of guinea. Port- Harcourt international airport has a passenger volume of about 1081587 per annum and is rated the third largest airport in Nigeria.
- STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
Airport noise is a noise generated by aircraft or its mechanisms throughout different phases of a flight including noise while on ground which is caused by auxiliary power unit (APU), during take-off and landing. This noise originates from aircraft engine, mechanical system and vehicular transport operating around the airport air field and environs. When evaluating airport projects, airport noise is one of the most important environmental aspects to consider. The most obvious noise in the airport and environs is generated from aircrafts and traffic and can be annoying when occurrence is regular. Aircraft noise is of great concern and major challenge for people living close to the airport (Airports Commission, 2013). Airports are basically essential nationwide as it serves to transport people and goods in local, state and global businesses. In the developing world, the presence of bad road and insufficient means of transportation, particularly for long distance travels have increased the use of aircrafts for transport. Aircraft noise has been associated with different health issues. For example, the risk of increased blood pressure and hypertension are associated with prolonged (5 – 30 years) exposure to aircraft noise averaging 65dB to 75dB disorder caused by aircraft noise can result in risk of hypertension, fatigue, risk of heart and respiratory problems. It can also lead to lack of concentration, increased risk of accidents and depression (Geert, 2013). It is in view of this that the researcher embark on this study.
- OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study has one main objective which is subdivided into general and specific objective. The general objective is to evaluate the impact of noise pollution on aviation workers with emphasis on a case study of Finima airstrip bonny. The specific objectives are:
- To examine the effect of noise pollution on the health of aviation workers in Bonny residence
- To ascertain if there is any significant relationship between noise pollution and prevalence of hypertension among aviation workers.
- To examine the impact of noise pollution on the health of Bonny residence
- To proffer suggested solution to the identified problem.
- RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study:
- Does noise pollution have any effect on the health of aviation workers in Bonny residence?
- Is there any significant relationship between noise pollution and prevalence of hypertension among aviation workers?
- Does noise pollution have any impact on the health of Bonny residence?
- RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study:
H0: There is no significant relationship between noise pollution and prevalence of hypertension among aviation workers
H1: There is a significant relationship between noise pollution and prevalence of hypertension among aviation workers
H0: Noise pollution does not have any effect on the health of aviation workers in Bonny residence
H0: Noise pollution does have an effect on the health of aviation workers in Bonny residence
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of great importance to the River State environmental agency as this study will help in planning the housing structure to ameliorate the effect of noise pollution on the study area. The study will also be of great importance to aviation workers as the study will be of great importance in combatting the effect of noise pollution on the health of aviation workers in Finima airstrip bonny. The study will also be useful to researchers who intend to embark on a study in a similar topic as the findings of the study will serve as a reference point to further study. Finally, the study will also be of importance to researchers, student, teacher’s academia’s and the general public as the findings of the study will contribute to the pool of existing literature and also contribute to knowledge on the subject matter.
- SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study covers evaluating the impact of noise pollution on aviation workers in Finima airstrip bonny but in the course of the study, there are some factors that limit the scope of the study which are beyond the researcher’s control;
AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.
1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Noise
Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing.
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change
Noise pollution
Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the propagation of noise with ranging impacts on the activity of human or animal life, most of them harmful to a degree.
Aviation
Aviation is the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry.
Aircrew
Aircrew, also called flight crew, are personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of a flight's crew depends on the type of aircraft, plus the flight's duration and purpose
1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows
Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.
