As an environmental health physician I’m aware of the association between noise exposure and high blood pressure (hypertension). People exposed to noise are more likely to have hypertension. European researchers have identified more hypertension in those who live near airports.
My environmental medicine and airplane owner interests piqued when I recently found a Reuters news agency article titled “Airport noise tied to high blood pressure risk.” The American press has found one of the European studies.
Let’s see, if cigarette companies can be sued for an individual’s smoking preference, and fast food companies can be sued for obesity, what does that mean about hypertension and airports?
Airports respond to noise as an annoyance; must they now respond as a public health risk for hypertension? What do your readers say?
JAMES ALLEN