GIANGO, JOSE MARI R.
CE354-M7
1) Kindly cite at least five sources of noise pollution and its examples. Provide pictures as necessary.
A. Transportation Noise
Examples:
a. Vehicle honking and engine noise from cars, buses, and motorcycles in urban areas
b. Aircraft noise from airports and flight paths
c. Train horns and track vibrations in railway stations
B. Industrial Noise
Examples:
a. Machinery and equipment operation in factories
b. Construction site activities like drilling, hammering, and concrete mixing
c. Power plants and large industrial facilities producing mechanical noise
C. Household Noise
Examples:
a. Loud music, televisions, and home theater systems
b. Household appliances like blenders, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners
c. Barking dogs and noisy neighbors in residential areas
D. Commercial and Recreational Noise
Examples:
a. Loudspeakers and amplified music in events, concerts, and nightclubs
b. Shopping malls and markets with high levels of background noise
c. Gym equipment and exercise classes with loud music
E. Natural and Environmental Noise
Examples:
a. Thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall causing loud disturbances
b. Ocean waves crashing onto shores in coastal areas
c. Animal sounds such as birds chirping loudly or frogs croaking in large numbers
2) According to OSHA, the limiting (dB) to impulse or impact peak noise level in decibels is most nearly?
According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the permissible impulse or impact peak noise level
should not exceed 140 dB. This limit is set to protect workers from sudden, high-intensity noise exposure, which can cause
immediate hearing damage.
3) What is the range of noise in decibel that is safe for the human ear?
You can listen to sounds at 70 dBA or lower for as long as you want without risk of hearing damage. Sounds at 85 dBA
can lead to hearing loss if you are exposed for more than 8 hours at a time. For sounds over 85 dBA, hearing damage can occur
more quickly. The safe listening time is reduced by half for every 3 dB increase beyond 85 dBA. For example:
● 88 dBA – Safe for 4 hours
● 91 dBA – Safe for 2 hours
● 94 dBA – Safe for 1 hour
● 100 dBA – Safe for 15 minutes
● Exposure to sounds above 120 dBA (e.g., sirens, concerts) can cause immediate pain and hearing damage.
4) From 0 decibel to 140 decibel, make a decibel scale chart showing permissible exposure time to such
decibel and type of noise according to its applicable decibel. For example, 40-60 decibels, Average home
noise, normal conversation and background noise. 12 hours of permissible exposure time
Decibel Level (dBA) Type of Noise Permissible Exposure Time (OSHA)
0 – 20 dBA Whispering, rustling leaves, breathing Safe for unlimited exposure
20 – 40 dBA Library, quiet office, refrigerator hum Safe for unlimited exposure
40 – 60 dBA Average home noise, normal conversation, background 12 hours
music
60 – 70 dBA Busy office, air conditioner, dishwasher 8 – 12 hours
70 – 85 dBA Vacuum cleaner, busy traffic, alarm clock 8 hours (85 dBA max)
85 – 88 dBA Power tools, city traffic, noisy restaurant 4 hours
88 – 91 dBA Lawnmower, truck traffic, forklift 2 hours
91 – 94 dBA Subway train, motorcycle at 10 feet 1 hour
94 – 97 dBA Jackhammer, chainsaw, car horn at close range 30 minutes
97 – 100 dBA MP3 player at max volume, airplane takeoff (inside cabin) 15 minutes
100 – 110 dBA Concerts, sports events, leaf blower 1 – 7 minutes
110 – 120 dBA Emergency sirens, jet engine at 100 feet Less than 1 minute
120 – 130 dBA Fireworks, thunderclap, gunshot at close range Immediate risk of hearing damage
130 – 140 dBA Jet takeoff, artillery fire Pain threshold – instant hearing damage
This chart follows OSHA guidelines on permissible exposure limits. Any noise above 85 dBA requires hearing protection if exposure
is prolonged.
For a better visualization, here’s a photo for this example.
