New research shows that airplane noise can impair reading and memory
abilities of young students.

A team of researchers from Mexico, Bosnia, Latvia and the Ivory Coast
studied 50 children (ages 9-10 years old) who attended James Graham
Elementary in Newark, California. The researchers found that as
airplane noise around a school increased, students' reading
comprehension scores decreased. Airplane noise was also related to
lower scores on a memory recognition test. There was no relationship
between road (cars, trucks, motorcycles) traffic noise and reading or
memory test scores and the data were not related to the socioeconomic
status of students.

These results suggest that airplane noise may affect the ability of
children to learn in school. The scientists believe that airplane noise
may distract students from their schoolwork and lead to problems with
reading and memory. For example, children might tune out unwanted noise
such as that from an airplane, but in doing so, they will also pay less
attention to their teacher. Planes flying over a school may also
disrupt a teacher's ability to communicate with students.

Effective ways to fight airplane noise are needed. An obvious solution
would be to shut down the Palo Alto Airport.