Palmer Events Center
Checking Different Decibel Levels Suggests That the Problem Isn't Loud Music
RECEIVED Sun., Nov. 11, 2007
Dear Editor,
Regarding the various noise/sound ordinances, I became curious as to what different decibel levels meant in real terms ["Page Two," Nov. 9]. Here is what I found.
A lawnmower is between 85 and 90dB. A dishwasher is 75dB, the same as the proposed new noise-ordinance level. A hair dryer is 70dB, and "city traffic/noise" is 80dB, 5dB louder than the proposal. Laughter is 60 to 65dB. (Don’t laugh too hard; you just might exceed the 75dB level!) A motorcycle is 88dB.
Prolonged exposure to any noise above 90dB can cause gradual hearing loss.
A garbage truck comes in a 100dB. A newspaper press is 97dB. A jackhammer, power saw, and symphony orchestra hit a whopping 110dB! Topping the list are "boom cars" at 145dB. At 100dB or higher, regular exposure of more than one minute risks permanent hearing loss. (Referenced from: www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Sounds/Decibles.htm)
The lowest level, 0dB, is the sound of the space between the ears of the morons who thought up this sound ordinance BS. This isn’t about loud music; it’s about the future of live music Downtown.
Regarding the various noise/sound ordinances, I became curious as to what different decibel levels meant in real terms ["Page Two," Nov. 9]. Here is what I found.
A lawnmower is between 85 and 90dB. A dishwasher is 75dB, the same as the proposed new noise-ordinance level. A hair dryer is 70dB, and "city traffic/noise" is 80dB, 5dB louder than the proposal. Laughter is 60 to 65dB. (Don’t laugh too hard; you just might exceed the 75dB level!) A motorcycle is 88dB.
Prolonged exposure to any noise above 90dB can cause gradual hearing loss.
A garbage truck comes in a 100dB. A newspaper press is 97dB. A jackhammer, power saw, and symphony orchestra hit a whopping 110dB! Topping the list are "boom cars" at 145dB. At 100dB or higher, regular exposure of more than one minute risks permanent hearing loss. (Referenced from: www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Sounds/Decibles.htm)
The lowest level, 0dB, is the sound of the space between the ears of the morons who thought up this sound ordinance BS. This isn’t about loud music; it’s about the future of live music Downtown.
Joseph A. Villegan Jr.