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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Aircraft noise and premature birth

subject

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Abstract Certain physiological effects suggest that there may be a relationship between premature birth and noise exposure. Vasoconstriction in the peripheric blood vessel system is one effect. Others would be augmentation of the adrenocorticotrophic hormone and a higher vegetative excitability during pregnancy. Animal experiments have demonstrated negative effects but there is little literature available as yet on the specific relationship between exposure to aircraft noise and negative effects on pregnancies. A study of this relationship was undertaken in an area near the airport at Dusseldorf, Germany. While no significant negative effects could be demonstrated, a tendency toward an increased rate of premature births was observed.