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Most useful EPA documents
See Air Compressors.
Regulatory Analysis Supporting the General Provisions for Product Noise Labeling
August 1979
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This document presents information used by EPA in developing the General Provisions for Product Noise Labeling including: a review of other Federal labeling programs; the major issues involved in formulating a general approach to product noise labeling; the approach to the design graphics; potential technical problems associated with the development of specific noise rating schemes; the Agency's response to comments, and resolution of issues raised during the pubic comment period; an analysis of the public comment to understand the public perception of product noise labeling; and the participation of the public throughout the development of the regulation.
Pow! - Noise and Hearing Loss
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The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Noise and Hearing Loss brought together biomedical and behavioral scientists, health care providers, and the public to address the characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss, acoustic parameters of hazardous noise exposure, individual and age-specific susceptibility, and prevention strategies. Following a day and a half of presentations by experts and discussion by the audience, a consensus panel weighed the evidence and prepared a consensus statement. Among their findings, the panel concluded that sounds of sufficient intensity and duration will damage the ear and result in temporary or permanent hearing loss at any age. Sound levels of less than 75 dB(A) are unlikely to cause permanent hearing loss, while sound levels above 85 dB(A) with exposures of 8 hours per day will produce permanent hearing loss after many years. Current scientific knowledge is inadequate to predict that any particular individual will be safe when exposed to a hazardous noise. Strategies to prevent damage from sound exposure should include the use of individual hearing protection devices, education programs beginning with school-age children, consumer guidance, increased product noise labeling, and hearing conservation programs for occupational settings. The full text of the consensus panel's statement follows.
Federal Register - Environmental Protection Agency - General Provisions for Product Noise Labeling and Noise Labeling Requirements for Hearing Protectors; Approval and Promulgation
September 1979
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OPEI Voluntary Noise Labelling Program - Changes for 1982 Shipment Year
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Pow! - Noise and Hearing Loss - NIH Consensus Development Conference
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The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Noise and Hearing Loss brought together biomedical and behavioral scientists, health care providers, and the public to address the characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss, acoustic parameters of hazardous noise exposure, individual and age-specific susceptibility, and prevention strategies. Following a day and a half of presentations by experts and discussion by the audience, a consensus panel weighed the evidence and prepared a consensus statement. Among their findings, the panel concluded that sounds of sufficient intensity and duration will damage the ear and result in temporary or permanent hearing loss at any age. Sound levels of less than 75 dB(A) are unlikely to cause permanent hearing loss, while sound levels above 85 dB(A) with exposure of 8 hours per day will produce permanent hearing loss after many years. Current scientific knowledge is inadequate to predict that any particular individual will be safe when exposed to a hazardous noise. Strategies to prevent damage from sound exposure should include the use of individual hearing protection devices, education programs beginning with school-age children, consumer guidance, increased product noise labeling, and hearing conservation programs for occupational settings.
Product Noise Labeling Standards - Draft - Background Document for Product Noise Labeling General Provisions
April 1977
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This Background Document has been prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency in support of the Proposed Product Noise Labeling Standards - General Provisions. The proposed regulation will be promulgated under the authority of sections 8, 10, 11, and 13 of the Noise Control Act of 1972.
Product Noise Labeling Standards - Draft - Background Document for the Labeling of Hearing Protectors
April 1977
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This Background Document has been prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency in support of the Proposed Noise Labeling Standards for Hearing Protectors. The proposed regulation will be promulgated under the authority of sections 8, 10, 11, and 13 of the Noise COntrol Act of 1972.
Regulatory Analysis Supporting the Noise Labeling Requirements for Hearing Protectors
August 1979
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This document contains information used by EPA in developing the Noise Labeling Requirements for Hearing Protectors including: a description of hearing protector devices, factors affecting selection, and a discussion of the various methods for measuring protector effectiveness; the procedure used to calculate single-number effectiveness ratings; an overview of the industry; the Agency's response to comments, and resolution of issues raised during the public comment period; and the participation of the public throughout the development of the regulation.
Federal Register - Environmental Protection Agency - Noise Labeling Requirements for Hearing Protectors; Technical Amendment
February 1980
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