Technical Bulletin No. 0052: An Introduction to Ambient Noise Measurement and Control (AQTB)

Noise pollution has become a subject of growing attention in its own right and as a specialized aspect of the air pollution problem. The National Council's Central-Lake States Regional Meeting provided a timely opportunity to hear a presentation on the subject of ambient noise measurement and control by A. H. Phelps of the Procter and Gamble Company. The material contained in this Technical Bulletin was assembled by A. H. Phelps and B. F. Shuler for presentation at that time. It provides a brief yet concise introduction to (a) the problems of noise and sound measurement and characterization, (b) noise level criteria, and (c) analysis of selected community noise problems encountered by Procter and Gamble. Several selected information sources are appended for those seeking additional background information on this subject. The growth in factory work area noise level measurement activity occasioned by enactment of the Walsh-Healey Safety and Health Regulations in May 1969 can be expected to provide mills with opportunities for measurement of ambient noise levels as well at other points on mill property.