Technology for a Quieter America
July 1, 2010
Technology for a Quieter America
2010
National Academy of Engineering
National Academies Press
Washington, DC
Although EPA currently has broad authority from Congress to develop and disseminate information on noise to the public, the agency’s current program on might be described as “extremely modest.” However,a few others have taken up the task. Some examples are given below.
The Acoustical Society of America has a publicly available guide on the acoustics of classrooms and has developed an American National Standard on Classroom Acoustics. The ‘Dangerous Decibels’ campaigns is a collaborative effort of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Oregon Hearing Research Center to educate children about the dangers of hazardous noise and ultimately to reduce the prevalence of noise-related hearing loss. In addition, many other organizations publish online information on noise, including some government agencies,such as the EPA, the several modal agencies of the US Department of Transportation, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many professional organizations maintain web sites (e.g.,
Institute of Noise Control Engineering), Acoustical Society of America), and many general information sites are available, such as Noise Free America, Citizens Against Noise of Hawaii, and the Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition (pp. 132-133).
Ted Rueter
Director
Noise Free America
1971 Western Avenue #1111
Albany, New York 12203
1-877-664-7366