This decibel (dBA) table compares some common sounds and shows how they rank in potential harm to hearing. In many industries, workers are exposed to dangerous noise levels. This is particularly true in the construction, lumber, mining, steel and textile industries.
SOUND
Jet Engines (Near)
Shotgun Firing
Jet Takeoff (100-200 Ft.)
Rock Concert (Varies)
Oxygen Torch
Disco/Boom Box
Thunderclap (Near)
Stereo (Over 100 Watts)
Symphony Orchestra
Power Saw (Chain Saw)
Jackhammer
Snowmobile
Jet Fly-over (1000 Ft.)
Electric Furnace Area
Garbage Truck/Cement Mixer
Farm Tractor
Newspaper Press
Subway, Motorcycle (25 Ft)
Lawnmower, Food Blender
Recreational Vehicles, TV
Diesel Truck (40 Mph, 50 Ft.)
Average City Traffic Noise
Garbage Disposal
Washing Machine
Dishwasher
Vacuum Cleaner
Hair Dryer
Normal Conversation
Quiet Office
Refrigerator Humming
Whisper
Broadcasting Studio
Rustling Leaves
Normal Breathing
NOISE LEVEL (dBA)
140
130
130
110-140
121
120
120
110-125
110
110
110
105
103
100
100
98
97
88
85-90
70-90
84
80
80
78
75
70
70
50-65
50-60
40
30
30
20
10
0
EFFECT
Threshold of pain (125 dB)
Threshold of sensation (120 dB)
Regular exposure of more than 1 minute risks permanent hearing loss (over 100 dB)
No more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure recommended (90-100 dB)
Very annoying
Level at which hearing damage begins after 8 hours (85dB)
Annoying; interferes with conversation; constant exposure may cause damage
Intrusive; interferes with telephone conversation
Comfortable (under 60 dB)
Very quiet
Just audible
Threshold of normal hearing (1000-4000 Hz)
Since the sensitivity of the ear to sound is not the same for all frequencies, weighting or attenuating filters are included in the sound level meter’s circuits to simulate the ears’ response. A noise level meter gives an instantaneous measurement of the noise present, but cannot measure the duration of the exposure. To measure the amount of noise a person is exposed to over a period of time, a “dosimeter~ or an integrated sound level meter must be used. Sources for the above include the American Medical Association and the Canadian Hearing Society of Ontario. Decibel table developed by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. January 1990.