Evaluation of the noise impacts on sleep quality in communities near to the international airport El Dorado in Colombia

Abstract

The El Dorado International Airport is located in the city of Bogotá and near the rural area in the city of Funza. This paper assesses the impact of environmental noise on the quality of life in communities as the result of airport activities. Environmental noise level measurements were carried at 62 monitoring points in the Fontibón District of Bogotá and Funza's rural area; the results were used to create noise maps using Arc-GIS 10.5 to reveal the spatial patterns of noise exposure. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index was adapted to Colombia (PSQI-CV) in order to identify sleep disturbances in the communities. The sound pressure levels were compared to the Colombia regulation threshold in Resolution 627/2006. The results showed that, during the daytime, 60% of the study area complied with this regulation, while at night-time, only 18% complied. The PSQI showed that 87% of the population surveyed in the study area had sleep disturbances. It was concluded that the airport noise mitigation strategies are not effective; thus, the coordination of development between El Dorado Airport and surrounding communities for land use planning is urgently needed in order to reduce noise exposure of the population.