Editing Permissible exposure limit (section)

== Noise Exposure ==
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States established the allowed exposure limit for occupational noise at 90 dB and is based on an 8-hour time-weighted average for an 8-hour workday.<ref>"Occupational noise exposure - overview". ''Occupational Safety and Health Administration''. https://www.osha.gov/noise </ref> For worker's safety, OSHA mandates hearing conservation programs when noise levels are higher than 85 decibels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Occupational Noise Exposure |url=https://www.osha.gov/noise/exposure-controls |access-date=2024-08-01}}</ref> This is dependent on the sector, profession, or nation, different restrictions may apply.

Currently, about 200 million Americans are subject to harmful workplace noise.<ref>Christa L. Themann, Elizabeth A. Masterson; Occupational noise exposure: A review of its effects, epidemiology, and impact with recommendations for reducing its burden. ''J. Acoust. Soc. Am.'' 1 November 2019; 146 (5): 3879–</ref> There are many factors, besides in the workplace, to how noise exposure can affect individuals more or less. These factors can include, but are not limited to, ageing, heredity factors, recreational activities, and some illnesses.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Guidance and resources |url=https://iosh.com/guidance-and-resources |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=IOSH |language=en}} </ref>

While there are recommendations that exist for noise levels and noise control in communities, there is a lack of general agreement regarding acceptable exposure limits in non-occupational settings or the general environment. To limit noise exposure levels there are several approaches that can be used. One way to limit noise exposure is by wearing [[personal protective equipment]] (PPE) such as earplugs, or earmuffs.<ref name=":3" /> Another way to limit exposure should be reducing being in environments with heavy amounts of noise exposure.<ref>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, January 23). ''Noise and hearing loss - noise and occupational hearing loss''. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/noise.html </ref> With this in mind it is important to keep individuals informed about prolonged noise exposure.