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THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Health costs associated with noise from changing flight patterns over populated areas outweigh the benefits of reduced flight times, according to a study published in the August issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Zafar Zafari, Ph.D., from Columbia University in New York City, and colleagues examined the monetary benefits relative to health losses associated with a change in flight patterns that involved implementing year-round use of “TNNIS Climb,” which happened in 2012; previously, use of TNNIS Climb was limited to the U.S. Open tennis matches. The costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained in association with limited versus year-round use of TNNIS were compared. The use of TNNIS Climb increases exposure to airplane noise to >60 dB over densely populated areas of New York City.<\/p>\n
The researchers found that limited versus year-round use of TNNIS was associated with incremental lifetime costs and QALYs per person exposed to noise of $11,288 and 1.13, respectively. Relative to the year-round use of TNNIS, limited use had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $10,006\/QALY gained.<\/p>\n
“Despite increases in efficiency, flight automation systems without a careful assessment of noise might generate flight paths over densely populated areas and cause serious health conditions for the overflown communities,” the authors write.<\/p>\n
One author disclosed financial ties to the Queens Quiet Skies advocacy group.<\/p>\n
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