Bangladesh, June 22 -- A third runway at London's Heathrow Airport is likely to significantly harm the health and well-being of up to 3 million people living nearby, according to an official report released as the UK government launched the next phase of its airport expansion plan.

An analysis prepared for the Department for Transport (DfT) found that expanding London's hub airport could have major adverse impacts on the health of the local population.

Consultancy firm Aecom, which authored the report, said construction and operation of the runway would worsen noise and air quality. It could also affect access to housing, education, healthcare, open space, and transport.

The expansion would additionally impact water quality, weaken co...