Noise levels are needed at law (2)

I have had a lot of spare time lately at weekend nights due to noisy disco music and DJs yelling over an amplified microphone. I came across something very interesting both for those who suffer from noise like myself and also for the ministers of health and environment.

Germany may soon approve legislation that regulates the level at which a disco can pump up the volume. A Bill is proposing to limit the volume in clubs to 99dB. Some estimate that three in 10 young Germans already suffer from hearing loss.

I also took the time to find out how loud 99dB is and to my surprise it is a bit louder than a jack hammer at 50 feet which rates at 95dB. Here are a few other relevant comparisons that turned up in my research: a subway train at 200 feet: 95dB; the level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss: 90-95dB; motorcycle: 100dB; power saw at three feet: 110dB; sandblasting, loud rock concert: 115dB; the onset of pain: 125dB.

Who knows, perhaps the health and environment ministers can learn something here and take action to stop these pirates robbing us of our sleep.