So it starts - 2018 begins with someone sharing a video about Isha Foundation violating allowed sound levels in its MahaShivratri celebrations. This is supposed to have been on basis of report given by Pollution Control Board (PCB).
I just went through all the points related to decibel levels & noise and found most of it completely unscientific. What a bunch of misinformation being spread about the MahaShivratri celebrations!!? Let's look at the facts now.
Claims as per the PCB report
The allowed levels of sound was apparently 55 dB and the max recorded level of sound was about 80 dB is what the report says. Most of the reported decibel levels were in the range of 60 - 70 decibels.
What is missing in the report?
What it does not say clearly are the two key factors:
(1) How far from the source of sound generation was this measured?
(2) How long was the measured noise levels persisting in that place?
This is very critical information but apparently is deliberately not quoted. Obviously since Sound travels at lesser decibels with distance, it is important to note both these parameters before one can even conclude that there has been a violation.
Let's talk about facts now!
Here are some comparative numbers to understand how much sound Isha Foundation is alleged to have produced:
(1) An average vacuum cleaner at home generates 70-85 dB of sound during its operation
(2) A lawn mower can generate upto 95 dB of sound while running
(3) Heck, flushing a toilet or an incoming telephone call generates about 80 dB of sound!
(4) 80 – 90 dB of sound comes from a food mixer or processor when it's in use
(5) Over 80 DB of sound is generated even in a noisy restaurant
Here is the source for those who want to confirm for themselves: http://chchearing.org/noise/common-environmental-noise-levels/
Is this sound level dangerous really?
If one argues that the noise levels should never ever go beyond the allowed levels even for a second, please note that a baby crying loud produces about 110 dB of sound level. A typical symphony concert itself makes about 110 dB sound!
For further argument sake, if one says 80 dB is pretty loud, at a higher level of 85 dB also, the permissible 'continuous' exposure period is about 8 hours.
Source: http://dangerousdecibels.org/education/information-center/decibel-exposure-time-guidelines/
One can do their own research. According to a study by the "UK Health and Safety Executive" note, the noise limits which should not be exceeded are 87 dB for daily exposure (ongoing noisy work environment) and 140 dB for peak exposure (one off peak in noise). Note that over 85 dB is allowed for daily exposure!
Source: https://www.soneticscorp.com/noise-levels-and-the-threat-of-hearing-loss/
Everyone who has watched Isha's Mahashivratri celebrations clearly know that the chants and music that is supposedly generating high noise levels is not continuous. It is hardly for 15-20 minutes at a stretch with long periods of break in between.
Fear-mongering
Over and top of that, our funny guy Piyush says a bird's egg bursts at that noise level!
What Piyush does not understand is that the birds are smart enough not to lay their eggs inside the speakers. They have definitely smarter brains than him! :)
There is no real scientific basis to what he claims. It is a trick employed to generate fear among people, probably in the lines of sound breaking a glass. But even to crack a glass with sound, one has to produce noise levels at around 110 dB and has to resonate with the exact frequencies of the material!
Source: http://www.breakglass.org/How-does-sound-break-glass.html
Conclusion
Obviously these are fear-mongering techniques employed by vested interests trying to spread misinformation about Isha.
Above all, more than 2 lakh people have attended the MahaShivratri celebrations in 2017. So, it is perfectly safe and there is no need to fall prey to such rumours spread by people about Isha's MahaShivratri celebrations.
I just went through all the points related to decibel levels & noise and found most of it completely unscientific. What a bunch of misinformation being spread about the MahaShivratri celebrations!!? Let's look at the facts now.
Claims as per the PCB report
The allowed levels of sound was apparently 55 dB and the max recorded level of sound was about 80 dB is what the report says. Most of the reported decibel levels were in the range of 60 - 70 decibels.
What is missing in the report?
What it does not say clearly are the two key factors:
(1) How far from the source of sound generation was this measured?
(2) How long was the measured noise levels persisting in that place?
This is very critical information but apparently is deliberately not quoted. Obviously since Sound travels at lesser decibels with distance, it is important to note both these parameters before one can even conclude that there has been a violation.
Let's talk about facts now!
Here are some comparative numbers to understand how much sound Isha Foundation is alleged to have produced:
(1) An average vacuum cleaner at home generates 70-85 dB of sound during its operation
(2) A lawn mower can generate upto 95 dB of sound while running
(3) Heck, flushing a toilet or an incoming telephone call generates about 80 dB of sound!
(4) 80 – 90 dB of sound comes from a food mixer or processor when it's in use
(5) Over 80 DB of sound is generated even in a noisy restaurant
Here is the source for those who want to confirm for themselves: http://chchearing.org/noise/common-environmental-noise-levels/
Is this sound level dangerous really?
If one argues that the noise levels should never ever go beyond the allowed levels even for a second, please note that a baby crying loud produces about 110 dB of sound level. A typical symphony concert itself makes about 110 dB sound!
For further argument sake, if one says 80 dB is pretty loud, at a higher level of 85 dB also, the permissible 'continuous' exposure period is about 8 hours.
Source: http://dangerousdecibels.org/education/information-center/decibel-exposure-time-guidelines/
One can do their own research. According to a study by the "UK Health and Safety Executive" note, the noise limits which should not be exceeded are 87 dB for daily exposure (ongoing noisy work environment) and 140 dB for peak exposure (one off peak in noise). Note that over 85 dB is allowed for daily exposure!
Source: https://www.soneticscorp.com/noise-levels-and-the-threat-of-hearing-loss/
Everyone who has watched Isha's Mahashivratri celebrations clearly know that the chants and music that is supposedly generating high noise levels is not continuous. It is hardly for 15-20 minutes at a stretch with long periods of break in between.
Fear-mongering
Over and top of that, our funny guy Piyush says a bird's egg bursts at that noise level!
What Piyush does not understand is that the birds are smart enough not to lay their eggs inside the speakers. They have definitely smarter brains than him! :)
There is no real scientific basis to what he claims. It is a trick employed to generate fear among people, probably in the lines of sound breaking a glass. But even to crack a glass with sound, one has to produce noise levels at around 110 dB and has to resonate with the exact frequencies of the material!
Source: http://www.breakglass.org/How-does-sound-break-glass.html
Conclusion
Obviously these are fear-mongering techniques employed by vested interests trying to spread misinformation about Isha.
Above all, more than 2 lakh people have attended the MahaShivratri celebrations in 2017. So, it is perfectly safe and there is no need to fall prey to such rumours spread by people about Isha's MahaShivratri celebrations.
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