Noise Level
The following noise chart lists average decibel levels for everyday sounds and appliances.
| Danger Level | Sound | Decibel Level | Permissible Exposure Time | Safety Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Painful Impulse Noise | Fireworks (3 ft) / Shotgun Blast | 150 dBP | Not safe for any period of time. | Avoid exposure. Not safe for any period of time. |
| Firearms | 140 dBP | Not safe for any period of time. | ||
| Painful Steady Noise | Jackhammer | 130 dB(A) | Not safe for any period of time. | |
| Jet Plane Takeoff / Siren | 120 dB(A) | Not safe for any period of time. | ||
| Extremely Loud | MP3 Player Max Output / Rock Concert | 112 dB(A) | ~ 1 minute | Wear earplugs or earmuffs. |
| Leaf Blower / Snow Blower | 106 dB(A) | > 4 minutes | ||
| Hair Dryer / Blender | 94 dB(A) | 1 hour | ||
| Very Loud | Passing motorcycle / Gas Lawn Mower | 91 dB(A) | 2 hours | |
| Loud | Busy Traffic / Vacuum Cleaner | 85 dB(A) | 8 hours | No protection required. |
| Moderate | Generator / Group Conversation | 70 dB(A) | Unlimited | |
| Dishwasher / Clothes Dryer | 60 dB(A) | Unlimited | ||
| Moderate Rainfall | 50 dB(A) | Unlimited | ||
| Raindrop / Quiet Room | 40 dB(A) | Unlimited | ||
| Faint | Whispering | 30 dB(A) | Unlimited |