TITLE:
Aviation Noise and Air Pollution: Results of a Study at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda
AUTHORS:
Austine Omolo, Christopher Angiro, Waganesh Admase Wagaye, Elly Olomo, Jasper Okino, Timothy Omara
KEYWORDS:
Ambient Air Quality, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulphide, Particulate Matter, Volatile Organic Compounds
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.8 No.5,
May
28,
2021
ABSTRACT: For a landlocked country like Uganda, air transport is centermost to its import-export trade. As such, the aviation industry is important for its economic and political survival since it guarantees access to the outside world. This study reports on the noise and air pollution levels at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda. We found that the airport experiences irregular noise frequencies with the midday having the highest noise intensities that exceed permissible limits of 60 decibels. Carbon dioxide is the highest air pollutant produced at the airport probably due to anthropogenic emissions from both aviation and vehicular activities. Based on particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) the air quality index was less than 50, indicating that the air quality was good. Therefore, the aviation authorities need to ensure that these air pollutants are monitored and controlled continuously. The expansion of EBB alongside the development of residential areas might amplify noise and air pollution if cleaner technologies are not embraced. Further studies should perform audiogram assessments (acoustic estimation of noise-induced hearing loss) at the airport.