ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2023 | Volume
: 25
| Issue : 117 | Page : 83--91 |
The Impact of Aircraft Noise on the Cognitive Function of Elementary School Students in Korea
Kiook Baek1, Chulyong Park2, Joon Sakong3
1 Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea 2 Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Collage of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea 3 Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu; 2Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Collage of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
Correspondence Address:
Joon Sakong Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 42415 Republic of Korea
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_71_22
Background: This study evaluated the effects of chronic exposure to aircraft noise on the cognitive functions of Korean elementary school students attending an elementary school around a military airfield and clarified the relationship between noise exposure and cognitive functions. Methods: Five schools with average weight equivalent continuous perceived noise levels (WECPNL) of ≥75 dB were selected from four regions in Korea. Each of these schools was matched with a non-exposed school. The Korean Intelligence Test Primary (KIT-P) was used to measure the scores of four subcategories and the intelligence quotient (IQ). The noise exposure groups were divided into high-exposure (WECPNL ≥ 80 dB) and medium-exposure (75 ≤ WECPNL < 80) groups. The period of exposure during the school year was collected. A linear mixed model, with matched pairs of schools, was used for statistical analysis. Results: In the multivariable linear mixed model adjusted by possible confounders, the reasoning score was significantly lower in the high-exposure group of students than in the no-exposure group. Other scores and IQ were lower in the noise exposure groups, although these were not statistically significant. The duration of exposure did not show a significant relationship with cognitive functions. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to noise from military airfields may influence the cognitive functions, thereby reducing the learning performance of Korean children.
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