Sound Pressure, Lethal Levels? Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Muspellsheimr]

This debate came up with a friend earlier. At what levels does noise become lethal to a human? I have found numerous examples of various levels of sound pressure, but cannot find anything suggesting at which point a human will die from exposure, and so I turn to Dumpshock in hopes of someone having greater knowledge on the subject than myself.

So, my question is, at what level with short-term exposure (say, 1 minute), can sound pressure kill the average human. Keep in mind a stun grenade is a near-instantaneous blast at 170-180 dB capable of incapacitating a human for up to a minute.

Also, what is the drop-off rate of sound pressure (ie. if 150 dB at source, what is it at 100m? 300m?) at sea level & 2,000 feet, given average atmospheric conditions?

A few examples of various sound levels (in Decibels)
~250 dB - Nuclear explosion
180 dB - Rocket engine
170+ dB - Stun grenade
160 dB - Turbojet engine
140 dB - Loudspeaker rock concert
130 dB - Threshold of pain
~120 dB - Hearing damage (short-term exposure)
90 dB - Loud speech
~85 dB - Hearing damage (long-term exposure)
70 dB - Usual talking
10 dB - Calm Breathing