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Introduction: Undisturbed sleep has been shown to be important for both health and quality of life (Medic et al. [7]). The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 25% of the population suffers from disturbed sleep due to environmental noise (Health TWECfEa, [2]). Sleep disturbance associated with elevated noise levels is particularly prevalent in metropolitan areas. Our study tested the hypothesis that white noise would improve sleep in New Yorkers complaining of sleep difficulty due to elevated sound levels.Methods: Ten adult participants were included in this study. All participants were recruited from a New York City based sleep clinic. Inclusion criteria was based on the presence of sleep disturbance and the reporting of high levels of environmental noise in participants' sleep location. The study was conducted using a within-subject, ABA design, with baseline, treatment phase, followed by another baseline (washout) period. Each phase lasted one-week, during which noise level and sleep were assessed. The treatment consisted of the application of a white noise device (Dohm Classic by Marpac, LLC) in the participants' bedroom. Sleep parameters were measured subjectively using the Consensus Sleep Diary (Carney et al. [15]), and objectively using a Motionlogger Actigraph.Results: Paired sample t-tests were conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that white noise improves sleep in a high noise environment. Significance was found on the variables WASO, as measured by actigraphy, t(9) = 3.438, p = 0.007 and sleep latency as measured by sleep diary, t(9) = 2.947, p = 0.016. There was a trend toward significance on the number of awakenings during the night, as measured by sleep diary, t(9) = 2.622, p = 0.028 (Holm's sequential correction of p-value required a value of <0.01 to find significance on this comparison) and sleep efficiency (actigraph), t(9) = -2.121, p = 0.063.Conclusion: Our data show that white noise significantly improved sleep based on subjective and objective measurements in subjects complaining of difficulty sleeping due to high levels of environmental noise. This suggests that the application of white noise may be an effective tool in helping to improve sleep in those settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To evaluate the contributions of common noise sources to total annual noise exposures among urban residents and workers, we estimated exposures associated with five common sources (use of mass transit, occupational and nonoccupational activities, MP3 player and stereo use, and time at home and doing other miscellaneous activities) among a sample of over 4500 individuals in New York City (NYC). We then evaluated the contributions of each source to total noise exposure and also compared our estimated exposures to the recommended 70 dBA annual exposure limit. We found that one in ten transit users had noise exposures in excess of the recommended exposure limit from their transit use alone. When we estimated total annual exposures, 90% of NYC transit users and 87% of nonusers exceeded the recommended limit. MP3 player and stereo use, which represented a small fraction of the total annual hours for each subject on average, was the primary source of exposure among the majority of urban dwellers we evaluated. Our results suggest that the vast majority of urban mass transit riders may be at risk of permanent, irreversible noise-induced hearing loss and that, for many individuals, this risk is driven primarily by exposures other than occupational noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at noise abatement campaigns in New York City. Particular focus is given to Mayor Fiorello La Guardia's so-called war on noise and to the city's Noise Abatement Commission (NAC). According to the author, both efforts treated urban noise as a measurable problem similar to violent crime and presaged later methods of urban crime prevention. It is suggested that these conflicts over sound reflected larger social struggles over space. Topics discussed include gentrification, crime mapping, the activist group the League for Less Noise (LLN), and judge Henry Curran.

Strict limits of the revised noise ordinance of New York City require power transformers to have ultra-low levels at each of the frequencies of transformer noise at full load and overexcitation. This paper describes the development of the technology that allowed successful design and production of ultra-low-noise power transformers recently delivered to Consolidated Edison of New York City. The paper presents results achieved by this development effort in the areas of accurate calculation of core resonance frequencies, frequency spectrum of core noise, and load noise. It also presents other aspects of the technology development, such as de-coupling of active parts vibrations from the tank, proper design of tank-plate fields and tank bracing, proper transformer mounting techniques, and accurate measurement of low noise levels in the factory. Finally, this paper presents the difference in design of the generations of these transformers produced at different stages of this development effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction noise is one of the most disruptive noise sources in New York City. Large-scale projects especially can take more than a decade to complete, and often be located in areas with various sensitive noise receptors. A technological and reliable approach is required for evaluation of the construction noise and its impact in close proximity. This paper addresses construction noise analysis methods and mitigations, along with a case of noise study (i.e., Fordham University Lincoln Center), in accordance with the CEQR Technical Manual requirements and the New York City Noise Control Code regulations. Analysis methods (i.e., screening, detailed, and refined analyses) for construction noise assessment were introduced, and various construction mitigation options (i.e., source, path, and receiver measures) were examined and developed. The results indicated that the analysis methods were effective to assess noise impacts for large complicated construction projects, the mitigation measures were practical, and noise impacts at adjacent sensitive noise receptors were minimized or eliminated. The relevant experiences learned from the study may be beneficial for use of appropriate analysis methods and practical mitigation measures for large-scale construction projects in high-density urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We measured noise levels associated with various forms of mass transit and compared them to exposure guidelines designed to protect against noise-induced hearing loss. Methods. We used noise dosimetry to measure time-integrated noise levels in a representative sample of New York City mass transit systems (subways, buses, ferries, tramway; and commuter railways) aboard transit vehicles and at vehicle boarding platforms or terminals during June and July 2007. Results. Of the transit types evaluated, subway cars and platforms had the highest associated equivalent continuous average (L[sub eq]) and maximum noise levels. All transit types had L[[sub eq] levels appreciably above 70 A-weighted decibels, the threshold at which noise-induced hearing loss is considered possible. Conclusions. Mass transit noise exposure has the potential to exceed limits recommended by the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency and thus cause noise-induced hearing loss among riders of ail forms of mass transit given sufficient exposure durations. Environmental noise-control efforts in mass transit and, in cases in which controls are infeasible, the use of personal hearing protection would benefit the ridership's hearing health. (Am J Public Health. 2009;99:1393-1399. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.138297) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mysis relicta can be observed on echograms as a sound scattering layer when they migrate into the water column at night to feed on zooplankton. However, quantitative measures of mysid abundance with hydroacoustics requires knowledge of mysid target strength (TS), a method of removing fish echoes and contribution from noise, and an understanding of the effect of range on the ability of hydroacoustics to detect mysids (the detection limit). Comparisons of paired net data and acoustics data from July 7, 2005 yielded a mysid TS of -86.3 dB (9 mm animal) and a biomass TS of -58.4 dB (g dry wt)-1. With ambient noise levels (Sv of -125 dB at 1 m depth) and this TS, we can detect a mysid density of 1 m-3 at 60 m depth with a signal to noise ratio of 3 dB. We present a method to remove backscattering from both noise and fish and apply this method and the new TS data to whole lake acoustic data from Lake Ontario collected in July 25-31, 2005 with a 120 kHz echosounder as part of the annual standard fish survey in that lake. Mysis abundance was strongly depth dependent, with highest densities in areas with bottom depth > 100 m, and few mysids in areas with bottom depth < 50 m. With the data stratified in five bottom depth strata (> 100 m, 100-75 m, 75-50 m, 50-30 m, < 30 m), the whole-lake average mysid density was 118 m-2 (CV 21%) and the whole-lake average mysid biomass was 0.19 g dry wt m-2 (CV 22%) in July 2005. The CVs of these densities also account for uncertainty in the TS estimates. This is comparable to whole-lake density estimates using vertical net tows in November, 2005 (93 m-2, CV 16%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide quantitative evidence of the impact on people of a neighboring metropolitan airport, La Guardia Airport (LGA) in New York City, (1) airborne particulate matter (PM) was measured to determine whether concentration differences could be detected between homes that are upwind and downwind of the airport; (2) 24-hr noise measurements were made in 12 homes near the airport; and (3) the impact of noise was assessed by a Community Wellness and Health Promotion Survey. Particulate matter concentrations were higher during active airport operating hours than during nonoperating hours, and the percent increase varied inversely with distance from the airport. Hourly differences between paired upwind and downwind sites were not remarkable. Residents living near the airport were exposed to noise levels as much as four times greater than those experienced by residents in a quiet, comparison home. Impulse noise events were detected from both aircraft and vehicular traffic. More than 55% of the people living within the flight path were bothered by aircraft noise, and 63% by highway noise; these were significantly higher percentages than for residents in the nonflight area. The change in PM concentrations with distance during operating compared with nonoperating hours; traffic-related impulse noise events; and the elevated annoyance with highway noise, as well as aircraft noise among residents in the flight path area, show airport-related motor vehicle traffic to be a major contributor to the negative impact of airports on people in the surrounding communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]