Supreme Health Council wants a ban on night flights around Brussels Airport

The last word about the night flights from Zaventem has not yet been said. The Superior Health Council warns about the health risks.

In a new report, the Superior Health Council calls for a ban on night flights at Brussels Airport. The advisory body has investigated the impact of air traffic on the health of local residents and concludes that noise pollution and air pollution can have harmful consequences.

According to the Council, around 160,000 people in the vicinity of the airport are at a higher health risk due to exposure to excessive noise levels. This can lead to sleep disorders, learning delays, high blood pressure and depression. In addition, aircraft emissions also have a negative impact on health. In the short term, particulate matter can reduce lung function and cause changes in heart rhythm. In the long term, aircraft emissions are linked to cardiovascular disease. That is why the Council is now calling for a ban on night flights between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The research was conducted at the request of Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) and Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo). But to better map the health effects on the environment around Brussels, the Council wants to conduct new studies. These will combine measurements of noise and air pollution and already available medical data.(ev)