What is Criterion Level?
The criterion level is used in the Dose calculation; If the dosimeter is exposed to a decibel level equal to the criterion level for 8 hours the result will be 100% dose. The criterion level is typically set by a regulating agency such as OSHA and usually not applicable for community noise monitoring. Example: OSHA mandates the criterion level (maximum allowable accumulated noise exposure) to be 90dB for 8 hours. For an 8 hour sample, an average level (LAVG) of 90dB will result in 100% dose. For the OSHA HEARING CONSERVATION AMENDMENT, the \Action Level\ is 85dB for 8 hours. This would result in a 50% dose reading. Note that the criterion level has not changed. [If the criterion level is changed to 85dB then an 8 hour average of 85dB would result in 100% dose.
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