Most of you probably are not up at 1:30 am or 2am, but I am–usually by choice. The last three nights have had very bad runway backblast noise at that hour. Between the Asia-Pac passenger and freight flights and US flights deadheading back east for the morning rush, it can get loud. How loud? Recall I had the airport put a temporary noise monitor in my yard for a couple weeks back in 2019 and the results were documented here. 30-50 second bursts of 65-68 dB were common. How do we know that's too loud? Because a recent academic study described here notes
A new study from researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health and Oregon State University (OSU) found that people who were exposed to aircraft noise levels at 45 decibels or more were more likely to have higher self-reported body mass index (BMI)—an indicator of general obesity, which can lead to cardiometabolic diseases, as well as a range of other health issues. A noise level of 45 decibels (dB) is just above the hushed tones of a library (40 dB) and quieter than a typical conversation at home (50 dB).
The researchers concluded that the highest BMI measures were linked to aircraft noise levels at 55 dB or above. Noise exposure at 45 dB or above was also associated with having higher BMI in middle to late adulthood from early adulthood.
In a 2023 study, Peters found aircraft noise—even as low as 45 db—increased the risk of sleeping less than seven hours a night. She notes that the distance someone could experience 45 dB of aircraft noise could reach out as far as 22 miles from a major airport.
Almost all of B'game is within about 4 miles of the airport with runways 1Left and 1Right pointed right away from us directing the engine run-up noise right at us. The attempts to get some compensation for home noise improvements (i.e. great windows) and the loss of sleep/enjoyment of our properties went nowhere unless someone owned their home before 1980! When Jackie Speier was in Congress, she made some attempts to change the law, but those haven't gone anywhere either.
Perhaps soon-to-be County supe Jackie Speier will light a fire under the County to take action against the City and County of SF who own and operate the airport. It would have a lot more positive health impact than outlawing gas barbeques and stoves. In the meantime, those extra pounds around our middles may not be entirely our fault–or Salt & Straw's or Pizza My Heart's fault. "The airport made me do it". Hat tip, Flip Wilson.
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