3
Decibel
Level
Example
30
Quiet library, soft whispers
40
Living room, refrigerator, bedroom away from traffic
50
Light traffic, normal conversation, quiet office
60
Air conditioner at 20 feet, sewing machine
70
Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, noisy restaurant
80
Average city traffic, garbage disposals, alarm clock at two feet
THE FOLLOWING NOISES CAN BE DANGEROUS UNDER CONSTANT EXPOSURE:
90
Subway, motorcycle, truck traffic, lawn mower
100
Garbage truck, chain saw, pneumatic drill
120
Rock band concert in front of speakers, thunderclap
140
Gunshot blast, jet engine
180
Rocket launching pad
Information courtesy of the Deafness Research Foundation.
