Associations between Aircraft Noise, Sleep, and Sleep-Wake Cycle: Actimetric Data from the UK Biobank Cohort near Four Major Airports

Nighttime aircraft noise may affect people's sleep, yet large-scale evidence using objective and subjective measures remains limited. The aim was to investigate associations between nighttime aircraft noise exposure and objectively measured sleep disturbance using a large UK cohort. The authors used data from 105,770 UK Biobank cohort participants exposed and unexposed to aircraft noise who lived in 44 local authority districts near 4 international airports in England. The authors used a generalized linear regression model to examine cross-sectional associations between aircraft noise Lnight (23:00 hours-07:00 hours) and 7-d actimetric measures collected 2013-2015 (n=22,102). The authors also used Logit and generalized estimating equations models to examine associations between Lnight and self-reported sleep measures at enrollment (2006-2010) and follow-up (2012-2013). This approach allowed us to compare and contrast the results and support potential future meta-analyses on noise-related sleep disturbance. Cross-sectional analyses of actimetric data suggested sleep disturbance associated with Lnight, showing higher level of movements during the least active continuous 8-h time period [beta: 0.12 milligravitational units; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.013, 0.23]. The authors also saw disrupted sleep-wake cycles as indicated by index scores of lower relative amplitude (beta: -0.006; 95% CI: -0.007, -0.005), poorer interdaily stability (beta: -0.010; 95% CI: -0.014, -0.006), and greater intradaily variability (beta: 0.021; 95% CI: 0.019, 0.023), comparing Lnight >=55 dB with <45 dB. Repeated cross-sectional analyses found a 52% higher odds of more frequent daytime dozing [odds ratio (OR) =1.52; 95% CI: 1.32, 1.75] for Lnight >=55 dB in comparison with <45 dB, whereas the likelihood for more frequent sleeplessness was more uncertain (OR=1.13; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.39). Higher effect sizes were seen in preidentified vulnerable groups, including individuals >65y of age and those with diabetes or dementia. Individuals exposed to higher levels of aircraft noise experienced objectively higher levels of sleep disturbance and changes in sleep-wake cycle. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14156.

• Record URL:
  • http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP14156
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00916765
• Supplemental Notes:
  • EHP is an open-access journal published with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. All content is public domain unless otherwise noted.
• Authors:
  • Gong, Xiangpu
  • Eminson, Katie
  • Atilola, Glory O
  • Jephcote, Calvin
  • Adams, Kathryn
  • Captur, Gabriella
  • Hall, Andrew P
  • Blangiardo, Marta
  • Gulliver, John
  • Rowlands, Alex V
  • Hansell, Anna L
• Publication Date: 2024

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References;
• Pagination: 97006
• Serial:
  • Environmental Health Perspectives
  • Volume: 132
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
  • ISSN: 0091-6765
  • Serial URL: https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/
• Publication flags:

  Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft noise; Airports; Residential areas; Risk assessment; Sleep deprivation
• Geographic Terms: England
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Environment; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01937824
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 22 2024 2:27PM