Effects of Aircraft Noise on Children's Mental Health: Data from the Health Survey of Inhabitants in the Vicinity of Gunsan Airport

항공기 소음이 아동들의 정신 건강에 미치는 영향

  • Yu, Kyeong-Yeol (Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Ajou University Hospital) ;
  • Park, Jae-Beom (Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine) ;
  • Min, Kyoung-Bok (Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Chan (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Suwon) ;
  • Kil, Hyun-Gwon (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Suwon) ;
  • Jung, Yu-Rim (Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Ajou University Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Kyung-Jong (Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine)
  • 유경열 (아주대병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 박재범 (아주대학교 의과대학 산업의학교실) ;
  • 민경복 (아주대학교 의과대학 산업의학교실) ;
  • 이찬 (수원대학교 기계공학과) ;
  • 길현권 (수원대학교 기계공학과) ;
  • 정유림 (아주대병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 이경종 (아주대학교 의과대학 산업의학교실)
  • Received : 2010.06.29
  • Accepted : 2010.09.13
  • Published : 2010.12.31

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of aircraft noise exposure on children's mental health problems such as depression and personality. Methods: We obtained data from the health examinations of school children in the vicinity of Gunsan airport. This survey was conducted in the rural area, Gunsan during 2009. The study population included 195 children attending 4th to 6th grade from 6 elementary schools near the airport. Based on 60 Weighted Equivalent Continuous Perceived Noise Level (WECPNL) measures of aircraft noise, participants were divided into 2 groups; the exposure group consisted of 106 children from 4 schools, and the reference group included 89 children from the 2 schools in Gunsan. All children completed questions on general characteristics, the Korean Children's Depression Inventory (KCDI) for depression, and the Korea Human Nature Inspection (KHNI) for personality. Results: Children in the exposure group were at higher risk of depression (5.62, 95% CI 1.12~28.25), and personality changes (2.08, 95% CI 1.07~4.05) than those of the reference group. In particular, children's diligence, cooperation, and concentration, subgroups of personality measure, were affected significantly and negatively, by aircraft noise level. Conclusions: Our results suggest that exposure to aircraft noise at school is associated with mental health problems in children. Requirements should be implemented to manage aircraft noise of its affect on children's health.

목적: 공항 주변에 사는 아동들을 대상으로 항공기 소음이 아동들의 정신건강 중 우울증과 인성에 영향을 미치는지 알아보고자 하였다. 방법: 군산 공항 주변 초등학교 아동들을 대상으로 항공기 소음과 아동들의 정신건강과의 관련성을 알아보였다. 항공기 소음 60 WECPNL을 기준으로 초등학교의 위치에 따라 노출군과 비노출군을 분류하였다. 아동용과 부모용으로 나누어서 일반적인 사항, 우울증, 인성검사 설문조사를 실시하였다. 최종분석에는 노출군 106명, 비노출군 89명 총 195명이 연구에 참여하였다. 결과: 소음 노출수준에 따라 우울증과 인성검사에서 유의한 차이가 있었다. 소아우울증의 교차비는 비노출군에 비해 노출군이 5.615(95% CI 1.116~28.252)이었고, 인성검사에서는 인성평점 2.032(95% CI 1.071~4.045)과 하부항목 중 근면성 2.971(95% CI 1.548~5.701), 협동성 3.555(95% CI 1.548~8.162), 집중력 2.133(95% CI 1.143~3.980)이 관련성이 있었다. 고찰: 추후 연구에서는 소음에 더 민감한 아동집단에 대한 조사가 필요할 것이라 여겨지며, 추적관찰을 통한 시간적 선후관계를 명확히 하는 것도 중요할 것이라 여겨진다. 또한 국가나 지방자치 단체에서도 항공기 소음이 아동들의 정신건강에 영향을 미칠 수 있다는 사실을 인식하고 이에 대한 대책 마련이 필요할 것이다.

Keywords

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