Noise Pollution
April 25/26, 2011
GIVE ME YOUR $$
I need $4.75 from each of you before Thursday.
You need to alert your teachers that you will be
absent for
Parent Chaperones: I need 3!!!
They will get a free movie ticket
What is noise?
Decibel (dB)
The unit used to measure the intensity of a sound
On the decibel scale, the smallest audible sound is
0dB
A sound 10 times more powerful is 10 dB.
A sound 100 times more powerful than near total
silence is 20 dB.
A sound 1,000 times more powerful than near total
silence is 30 dB.
Noise
Distance affects the intensity of sound
If you are far away, the power is greatly diminished
Any sound above 85 dB can cause hearing loss!
The loss is related to the intensity and length of
exposure
Common Sounds and
their decibel ratings:
Near total silence - 0 dB
A whisper - 15 dB
Normal Conversation - 60 dB
A lawnmower - 90 dB
A rock concert or a jet engine - 120 dB
A gunshot or firecracker - 140 dB
Office of Noise
Abatement and Control
(ONAC)
Established by the EPA to carry out investigations
and studies on noise and its effect on the public
health and welfare.
Shut down in 1981: EPA concluded that noise issues
were best handled at the State and Local level.
Noise Control Act (1972)
Establishes a national policy to prevent NP
How?
Coordinates federal research and activities in noise
control
Established federal noise emission standards for
products sold in commerce
Provides information to the public regarding noise
emission and noise reduction
Control Measures
Roadway noise can be reduced through the use of
noise barriers, speed limits, and traffic control
technology
Aircraft noise can be reduced by: quieter jet engines,
and rescheduling take off and landing times
Control Measures
Industrial noise can be reduced by installing noise
barriers in the workplace
Residential noise (power tools, loud radios) can be
controlled though local laws and enforcement.
Community Poster
A company wants to come to East LA to build a new
storage lot for garbage trucks. The parking lot
would create a 200% increase in suburban traffic.
Audience: The East LA community
Explain what noise pollution is.
Explain the health effects of NP (long and short-
term)
Come up an alternative solution.