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Most useful EPA documents
Background Document for Final Interstate Rail Carrier Noise Emission Regulation: Source Standards
December 1979
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued, on December 31, 1975, a noise emission regulation for locomotives and railcars operated by interstate rail carriers (40 CFR Part 201). In developing the December 31, 1975 railroad noise emission regulation, EPA considered broadening the scope of the regulation to include facilities and additional equipment. BEcause of the wide disparity in perceived severity of noise problems found at differing rail facilities, the Agency decided that railroad facility and equipment noise, other than that produced by locomotives or railcars, was best controlled by measures which did not require national uniformity or treatment. Further, EPA believed that the health and welfare of the Nation's population being jeopardized by railroad facility and equipment noise, other than locomotives and railcars, was best served by specific controls at the state and local level and not by federal regulations, which would have to address railroads on a national, and therefore on a more general basis. Where the Federal government establishes standards for railroad facilities and equipment, states and local authorities ordinarily are preempted unless they adopt standards identical to the federal standards. For these reasons, EPA decided to leave state and local authorities free to address site-specific problems, on a case-by-case basis, without unnecessary federal hindrance....
Background Document for Interstate Motor Carrier Noise Emission Regulations
October 1974
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In March, 1974, in accordance with Section 5(a)(2) of the Noise Control Act of 1972, EPA published a document in which levels of environmental noise requisite to protect public health and welfare were identified(1). Since EPA studies have shown that actual environmental noise levels in many parts of the country exceed the levels identified as desirable, a Federal strategy is being developed to control environmental noise.
Background Document for Medium and Heavy Truck Noise Emission Regulations
ONAC
March 1976
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On March 31, 1976, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a regulation governing noise emissions from medium and heavy trucks. That regulation was issued under Section 6 of the Noise Control Act of 1972. This document presents and discusses the background data used by the Agency in setting the standards contained in the regulation. Presented here is a comprehensive exposition on the most up-to-date available information on the environmental, technological, and economic aspects of medium and heavy truck noise.
Background Document for Proposed Medium and Heavy Truck Noise Regulations
October 1974
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The subjects addressed in this document are intended to provide background information on various aspects associated with the development of regulations relative to noise emission from newly manufactured trucks.
Background Document for Proposed Portable Air Compressor Noise Emission Regulations
October 1974
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Background Document for Proposed Revision to Rail Carrier Noise Emission Regulation
February 1979
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In accordance with Section 17 of the Noise Control Act of 1972, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on January 14, 1976, promulgated noise emission standards for railroad locomotives and rail cars which are used in interstate commerce. That regulation was challenged in a suit brought against the Agency by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) on the basis that it included only locomotives and rail cars and therefore did not preempt state and local regulation of all rail carriers' equipment and facilities. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has ruled that the Agency must broaden the scope of the existing railroad regulation.
Background Document for Railroad Noise Emission Standards
December 1975
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This document contains the technical, economic, health and welfare analyses and other pertinent data and information utilized by the Environmental Protection Agency in the development of the final Interstate Rail Carrier Noise Emission Regulation.
Background Document to Proposed Interstate Motor Carrier Regulations
November 1973
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Through the Noise Control Act of 1972 (86 Stat. 1234), Congress established a national policy "to promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their health or welfare." In pursuit of that policy, Congress stated, in Section 2 of that Act, "that, while primary responsibility for control of noise rests with state and local governments, Federal action is essential to deal with major noise sources in commerce, control of which requires national uniformity of treatment." As a part of that essential Federal action, Section 18 of that Act (86 Stat. 1249) directed the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish proposed noise emission regulations for motor carriers engaged in interstate commerce. Motor carriers subject to such regulations include common carriers by motor vehicle, contract carriers by motor vehicle and private carriers of property by motor vehicle as these terms are defined by paragraphs (14), (15), and (17) of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 303 (a).
Background Document/Environmental Explanation for Proposed Interstate Rail Carrier Noise Emission Regulations
June 1974
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The study of railroad noise is relatively new. Most of the information and data contained in this report has been generated during the past year. It is important to note that this report and the proposed regulations are an initial step in a continuing effort to understand and reduce railroad noise. The Agency wishes to acknowledge the cooperation of a multitude of parties and to extend its appreciation for their efforts. These parties include, but are by no means limited to, The Department of Transportation, Association of American Railroads, the Department of Commerce, and the National Bureau of Standards.
Background Document/Environmental Explanation for Proposed Interstate Rail Carrier Noise Emission Regulations
March 1974
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The study of railroad noise is relatively new. Most of the information and data contained in this report has been generated during the past year. It is important to note that this report and the proposed regulations are an initial step in a continuing effort to understand and reduce railroad noise. The Agency wishes to acknowledge the cooperation of a multitude of parties and to extend its appreciation for their efforts. Those parties include, but are by no means limited to, The Department of Transportation and the Association of American Railroads, and the National Bureau of Standards.
Background Report on Outdoor-Indoor Noise Reduction Calculation Procedures Employing the Exterior Wall Noise Rating (EWNR) Method
Gary E. Mange; Steven R. Skale; Louis C. Sutherland
March 1978
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This background report on the procedure for evaluating outdoor-indoor noise reduction of structure in terms of the single number metric Exterior Wall Noise Rating (EWNR) first reviews the basis of previous single number ratings emphasizing the Sound Transmission Class (STC). It is shown that the latter was initially designed to try to account for the relative loudness of interior noises in typical residences as heard by adjoining neighbors on the other side of a common party wall. In a similar, but quite independent manner, the EWNR metric was developed so that the A-weighted indoor noise level, due to highway noise sources outdoors, could be roughly estimated directly fromt he value of EWNR and the A-weighted outdoor noise level. The basis for this is defined, first in terms of the basic theory for noise reduction from outdoors to indoors at one frequency. The result is then summed over all frequencies to give the overall effective noise reduction. The EWNR single number rating replaces this complex summation and, as shown by recently conducted field tests, provides a valid method with an accuracy of about +/- 3 dB for predicting levels inside buildings due to outdoor transportation noise sources. This background report also briefly reviews the basis for the tables of EWNR values and tables of various EWNR adjustment factors used to evaluate the composite noise reduction of A-weighted noise levels for a wide range of practical residential structural assemblies which may include walls, windows, doors, roofs, and ceilings.
The Balance Sheet Technique - Volume I: The Balance Sheet Analysis Technique for Preconstruction Review of Airports and Highways
Sarah J. LaBelle; Albert E. Smith; Dorathea A. Seymour
February 1977
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The Balance Sheet Technique: Volume II: Preconstruction Review of Airports: Review of State Regulations, Projects Affected and Resource Requirements
Sarah J. LaBelle; Dorathea A. Seymour; Albert E. Smith; Michael Harbour
February 1977
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This volume of the report contains the results of several surveys and analyses to ascerrtain the effect of airport indirect source review (ISR) requirements. This material is all dated, in the sense that the survey of state activities and the forecast of proposed construction are accurate as of the date the survey was completed. The material does shec light on the magnitude of the problems posed by indirect source review of airports. In conjunction with the test case results presented in Volume I of this report, a fairly clear picture of the effect of such regulation emerges. The regulation would in fact cause review of 30-50 major airport projects that may not be reviewed under any other program. The airports are significant regional sources of hydrocarbon emissions, and become more so over the ten year planning horizon.
A Basis for Limiting Noise Exposure for Hearing Conservation
J.C. Guignard
July 1973
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A compilation of data is provided, with references to published work, which represents the present state of knowledge concerning the effects of continuous and impulsive noise on hearing. The danger to the ear of both occupational and non-occupational human exposure to noise is considered. Data are included or cited which enable quantitative predictions to be made of the risk to hearing in the American population due to noise exposure in any working or living context. Recommendations are made concerning the need to obtain more definitive data. Relevant aspects of noise measurement, the physiology of hearing, and theories explaining the effects of noise on the ear are discussed in appendices to the main report. This report deals solely with the effects of noise on hearing; other physiological or psychological effects of noise are not considered in the present document.
Before the EPA - Noise Emission Control Regulations for Medium and Heavy Trucks 40 C.F.R. Part 205 - Comments opf American Trucking Associations, Inc.
Nelson J. Cooney; Alan J. Thiemann; Larry W. Strawhorn; James R. Barr
April 1981
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Before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Comments of American Trucking Associations, Inc. on Motor Carriers Engaged in Interstate Commerce; Noise Standards and Transportation Equipment Noise Emission Controls; Medium and Heavy Trucks
July 1985
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Behavioral and Physiological Correlates of Varying Noise Environments
Lawrence F. Sharp; John F. Swiney; Mickey R. Dansby; Stephen C. Hyatt; Dale E. Schimmel
June 1977
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Eighty male college juniors and seniors were dichotomized into either High or Low Anxiety groups. Each subject experienced a household noise profile under a quiet (50 dBA), intermittent (84 dBA) and continuous (84 dBA) noise condition, while performing either an easy or difficult pursuit tracking task. Heart rate, electromyographic potentials, and tracking error responses were evaluated. Results indicated significant (P<.01) main effects for task difficulty and noise condition and significant (P<.01) interaction effects for task difficulty, noise condition and anxiety level (as measured by the IPAT Self Analysis Form) of subjects. The significant noise effect occurred for the difficult task condition during the second tracking period (which includes transfer of training effects) indicating that factors such as task difficulty, direction of task transfer effects, duration of noise exposure as well as anxiety level of subjects appear to be important variables affecting human psychometer performance in noise environments below 85 dBA. These findings appear to be consistent with previous research which suggests that task difficulty is the variable determining the direction of stress (noise) effects on psychometer performances and the nature of the interaction between stress and anxiety level. The present findings are therefore seen as supporting the concepts of the response interference hypothesis and the inverted-U function between stress and performance.
Better Homes and Gardens - "How to Cut Down Household Noise"
May 1978
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Bid Tabulation - Trash Compactors - Albany, Georgia
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Blasting Vibrations and Their Effects on Structures
Harry R. Nicholls; Charles F. Johnson; Wilbur I. Duvall
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This report presents the results of the Bureau of Mines 10-year program to study the problem of air blast and ground vibrations generated by blasting. The program included an extensive field study of ground vibrations; a consideration of air blast effects; an evaluation of instrumentation to measure vibrations; establishment of damage criteria for residential structures; determination of blasting parameters which grossly affected vibrations; empirical safe blasting limits; and the problem of human response. While values of 2.0 in/sec particle velocity and 0.5 psi air blast overpressure are recommended as safe blasting limits not to be exceeded to preclude damage to residential structures, lower limits are suggested to minimize complaints. Millisecond-delay blasting is shown to reduce vibration levels as compared to instantaneous blasting, and electric cap delay blasts offer a slight reduction in vibration levels as compared to Primacord delay blasts. Vibration levels of different blasts may be compared at common scaled distances, where scaled distance is the distance divided by the square root of the maximum charge weight per delay. Geology, rock type, and direction affect vibration level within limits. Empirically, a safe blasting limit based on a scaled distance of 50 ft/lb(1/2) may be used without instrumentation. However, a knowledge of the particle velocity propagation characteristics of a blasting site determined from instrumented blasts at that site are recommended to insure that the safe blasting limit of 2.0 in/sec is not exceeded.
Board Urges City to "Buy Quiet"
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Re-printed below in its entirety is a resolution recently passed by the Jacksonville, Florida, Environmental Protection Board.
Board Urges City to "Buy Quiet"
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Boise Community Noise Survey
May 1979
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In conjunction with the Ads Planning Association, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through its Office of Noise Abatement and Control and its Region X office inventoried the noise climate in Boise, Idaho to test the accuracy of a physical measurement protocol. EPA hopes it will become part of a broad technical assistance package available to communities who may wish to develop or improve a noise control program. Based on the Boise results, the spatial sampling method will be revised slightly so that the sample will better represent the real noise climate.
Boston-Logan International Airport - 1978 Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) 30/40
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A Building Code for Exterior Noise Isolation With Respect to Aircraft Noise
December 1974
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The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for the health and welfare of the general public by establishing standards for land use and for building construction with respect to exterior noise produced by the legal and normal operations of the XXXXX airport. The Ordinance establishes noise zones and differing intensities on land adjacent to the XXXXX airport, establishes permitted land uses in the noise zones and establishes building construction requirements with respect to exterior noise isolation.
Building Cost File
May 1978
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(Buses) Appendix B - Related New Clippings
February 1982
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(Buses) State/Local Programs and Capability for Noise Control
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Buy Quiet Program - Quiet Lawnmowers
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Buy Quiet Report - A Supplement to the NIGP Letter Service Bulletin
January 1982
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Buy Quiet Report - A Supplement to the NIGP Letter Service Bulletin
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Buy Quiet Report - A Supplement to the NIGP Letter Service Bulletin
January 1981
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Buy Quiet Report - A Supplement to the NIGP Letter Service Bulletin
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Buy Quiet Report - A Supplement to the NIGP Letter Service Bulletin
January 1982
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Buy Quiet Report - A Supplement to the NIGP Letter Service Bulletin
January 1981
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Buy Quiet Report - A Supplement to the NIGP Letter Service Bulletin
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Buy Quiet Report - A Supplement to the NIGP Letter Service Bulletin
January 1982
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Buy Quiet Report - A Supplement to the NIGP Letter Service Bulletin
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