The intensity of a noise in decibels correlates with the hazards associated with the noise.
|
Decibels
|
Quality
|
Example
|
|
10
|
barely audible
|
|
|
20
|
very quiet
|
|
|
30
|
quiet
|
whisper
|
|
40
|
quiet
|
|
|
50
|
slightly loud
|
light traffic
|
|
60
|
moderately loud
|
normal conversation
|
|
70
|
moderately loud
|
vacuum cleaner
|
|
80
|
loud
|
heavy traffic
|
|
90
|
loud
|
pneumatic drill, motorcycle
|
|
100
|
very loud
|
lawn mower, diesel locomotive
|
|
120
|
uncomfortably loud
|
rock concert, chain saw
|
|
140
|
uncomfortably loud
|
jet plane takeoff or flying overhead, handgun shot
|
|
170
|
extremely loud
|
military rifle shot
|
where:
• A given noise source may be associated with greater or lesser noise depending on noise abatement measures, size or modifications.
