Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the surrounding noise. Adolescents should protect their ears when visiting arcades
where certain games reach levels exceeding 110 dBA, sounds comparable to those
of loud jack hammers [18].
It is also essential to point out that one way to protect ears is to limit the amount
of sound to which they are exposed. Sound, rather than noise, is being used here
because the individuals choose to listen to sounds at high levels which can be
potentially damaging to the ears. Manufacturers of radios for use in the home or
automobile, manufacturers of personal sound systems, and manufacturers of tele-
vision sets, compact disc players, and other sound producing devices should build
in protection that would guarantee that the device does not produce sound at levels
that could be harmful to hearing. As an example of this, the Ford Motor Company
recently announced a smart key solution. Starting next year, the company will offer
smart keys that allow parents to impose limits on their teen drivers. With the smart
key in place, amongst other features, is one in which the stereo won't go above
half-volume.
There is, of course, an element of personal responsibility in the effort to control
personal noise. People can cut down on noise by demanding that manufacturers
make noise-producing equipment as quiet as possible and by purchasing the least
noisy of all available options. There is little doubt that consumer demand could
provide the impetus to design and build quieter hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, leaf
blowers, and a host of other time and labor saving devices that are noise-producing.
4.10 Education
Education is a key element of noise abatement programs. Educational efforts alert
people to the dangers of noise and to the ways they can protect themselves from
these dangers. Publishing the latest research on the dangers of noise as well as the
successes of mitigation programs also serves to inform professionals and the public
at large about the hazards of noise and technologies that exist to abate it. Such pub-
lications in turn initiate new research and additional technology. Noise pollution,
as it now stands, does not appear to have the visibility required if we are to move
to a quieter, healthier environment. This conclusion is supported by the findings of
Vincent and Lambert who cite studies conducted in Spain, under the guidelines of
the European Union, in which they found citizens lacked knowledge about sound
levels, noise abatement plans, sources of noise and the adverse effects of noise [72].
According to Vincent and Lambert, this lack of information about noise and effects
stemmed from the fact that local authorities concentrated on transmitting informa-
tion through a website rather than television, newspapers and periodic mailings;
apparently the decision-makers did not give much thought to ways of educating and
informing the public.
The European Union in its 2002 Directive discussed the value of education, infor-
mation and public awareness in promoting acceptance of - and compliance with -
noise regulations. Noise labeling on products is a prerequisite for noise control but
