How pervasive is the problem of noise induced hearing loss?
A. Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a permanent, irreversible health problem, estimated to affect over 30 million people worldwide and as many as 10 million in the U.S. alone. Excessive noise exposure can not only cause NIHL but a wide range of other adverse health impacts as well. Q. Did one mode of transportation stand out more than others as having the highest noise levels? A. Yes, we found that on average, the MTA subways had the highest noise levels, at 80.4 decibels (dBA), followed by the Path trains, at 79.4 dBA, and the tram, at 77.0 dBA. The lowest average levels measured, 74.9 dBA and 75.1 dBA, were obtained from the LIRR and Metro-North trains, respectively. The very highest levels measured in the study were found on an MTA subway platform (102.1dBA) and at a bus stop (101.6 dBA). Q. How did each of the New York City boroughs compare? A. The borough with the overall highest mass transit noise levels was Manhattan, followed by Queens and the Bronx. In general, noise level
