What's Up Docs? Doctors’ Notes: Noise
Aug 26, 2025
Charlotte Clark, a Professor of Environmental Epidemiology at City St George's, explores the hidden dangers of noise pollution. She delves into her research on how environmental noise impacts children's learning, particularly focusing on aircraft noise near airports. The discussion highlights the challenges of assessing noise pollution, especially from night flights and supercars, and its broader implications on public health. Charlotte also emphasizes the balance between urban development and the need for quieter living spaces.
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Cities Are Getting Louder
- Noise levels have risen with urbanisation, traffic and construction over recent decades.
- Researchers measure subjective 'annoyance' with a 0–10 scale to capture people's experience.
Annoyance Shapes Policy
- Annoyance and sleep disturbance drive much of noise policy and guidance.
- People report these effects more readily than long-term diseases like heart attacks, so policy reflects them.
Collect Objective Sleep And Sound Data
- Measure noise and sleep together to inform policy on night flights.
- Use household sound meters and sleep devices to link aircraft events to awakenings and self-reported sleep quality.