Home insulation as countermeasure against the effects of increased noise in the vicinity of Sydney Airport: A survey of effectiveness and concerns

摘要

Home insulation is one of the main countermeasures against the effects of noise. However, its effectiveness is still in dispute. We report a small, in depth survey of residents whose homes were insulated at government expense, when noise increased in their area as a result of reconfiguration of Sydney Airport's runways. Participants were interviewed before and after home insulation was installed. Insulation generally reduced reaction to noise (annoyance, dissatisfaction and affectedness), noise-induced activity disturbance (including sleep disturbance), and subjective health effects of noise. However, reaction remained beyond generally accepted levels, with 40-50% of respondents "seriously affected" by noise after insulation. Further, some residents were concerned that sealing their homes negatively impacted their comfort or health, and found the air-conditioning systems noisy (although a good form of heating). There was also concern regarding the expense of repairs following insulation installation, and of running the air-conditioning. The acceptability and usefulness of insulation as a noise countermeasure may depend on climate, and culture in relation to use of natural ventilation.