Is there any escape from noise?

APRIL 5, 2010 – Gosh, Darned Summer in the City.
By Matt Weingarden


With the coming of summer in the downtown core, out come the noise police.
My apartment building is full of these whiny curmudgeons. They want to rain on everyone’s parade.
Seems everyone who buys a decibel meter is an expert Acoustician.
Those folks run around the building complaining of gigantic decibel levels. It’s amazing how they quote numbers like they actually understand the science of sound. The noise police band together to better the downtown core, to raise awareness and complain for the greater goodness.
They actually had the gall to try to prevent several new nightclubs from getting a liquor license last year.
Some folks have no life and need to live in chaos.
We need to work together to make our downtown vibrant. We need to bring families back to the core. The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association is doing a solid job. They are learning from last year’s mistakes and working to make this year’s events even better.
There were so many great events held downtown last summer. So why can’t we all get along?
My condo overlooks Pelissier Street. The answer is easy for me. I simply shut my windows and turn on my air conditioner for a couple hours. It works.
And I mind my own business.






Here are some interesting numbers, collected from a variety of sources, that help one to understand the volume levels of various sources and how they can affect our hearing.
Environmental Noise
Weakest sound heard 0dB
Whisper Quiet Library 30dB
Normal conversation (3-5') 60-70dB
Telephone dial tone 80dB
City Traffic (inside car) 85dB
Train whistle at 500', Truck Traffic 90dB
Subway train at 200' 95dB
Level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss 90 - 95dB
Power mower at 3' 107dB
Snowmobile, Motorcycle 100dB
Power saw at 3' 110dB
Sandblasting, Loud Rock Concert 115dB
Pain begins 125dB
Pneumatic riveter at 4' 125dB
Even short term exposure can cause permanent damage - Loudest recommended exposure WITH hearing protection 140dB
Jet engine at 100', Gun Blast 140dB
Death of hearing tissue 180dB
Loudest sound possible 194dB