Prolonged noise levels that are in the 85-90 dBA range, can lead to permanent hearing loss. The average worker can be exposed to 80 decibels of noise for an 8 hours increment, which is a permissible exposure limit (PEL) per Occupational Safety and Health Association and most United States standards (Mroszczyk, 2012).
The following is a comparison between 90 dBA that uses a 5 dB exchange rate and 85 dBA that uses a 3dB exchange rate.
Duration of exposure to sound: 8 hours
90 dBA PEL and a 5dB exchange rate: for each 5dB above 90 dBA, the duration rate needs to be reduced by 50%
Example: 95 dBA PEL and 5dB exchange rate would be 5dBA above the standard resulting in a 50% reduction loss for duration of exposure to sound. In order for reduction,
The following is a comparison between 90 dBA that uses a 5 dB exchange rate and 85 dBA that uses a 3dB exchange rate.
Duration of exposure to sound: 8 hours
90 dBA PEL and a 5dB exchange rate: for each 5dB above 90 dBA, the duration rate needs to be reduced by 50%
Example: 95 dBA PEL and 5dB exchange rate would be 5dBA above the standard resulting in a 50% reduction loss for duration of exposure to sound. In order for reduction,