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Below is a list of noise
levels for sounds and equipment that you may be familiar with. Many of
the examples are from the NIOSH website, but other references have also
been used. It is important to keep in mind that you should really be
concerned with the noise level at the ear, instead of the noise that is
actually produced by the equipment. Therefore many of the examples have
to be used with thought. For instance few consumers will be close to a
jet engine or a fire engine siren, and their exposure is potentially
more irritating than damaging. On the other hand, airport and fire
engine personnel may indeed be exposed to the sound levels in the table
below.
Sound or noise example |
Typical sound level |
Comments |
Weakest sound heard by
average human ear |
0 dB |
This
is a matter of definition |
Rustle of leaf |
20 dB |
- |
Whisper |
30 dB |
- |
Normal conversation |
60 dB |
- |
Inside passenger car at 60
MPH |
65-75 dB |
Smaller cars are
usually noisier |
Ringing telephone |
80 dB |
Measured close to the phone |
Hair dryer |
85-90 dB |
Measured close to the dryer |
Lawn mower |
85-90 dB |
Measured at the ear |
Maximum exposure, 8 hours |
90 dB |
OSHA regulation |
Chain saw |
90-100 dB |
Measured at ear, sound level varies by model |
Tractor, bulldozer |
95-105 dB |
Inside cab may be less noisy. Sound level varies by model. |
Rock drill |
110-115 dB |
- |
Circular saw, table saw |
110 dB |
- |
Threshold of pain |
120 dB |
A matter of definition |
Pneumatic chipper |
120 dB |
- |
Fire engine siren |
120 dB |
- |
Jet engine at takeoff |
140 dB |
- |
12-gauge shotgun |
165 DB |
Impact sound uses a different risk criteria. |
Rocket launch |
180 dB |
- |
Loudest possible sound |
194
dB |
- |
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