| Decibels | Examples | Exposure Danger |
|---|
| 180 | Rocket launching pad | Hearing loss inevitable |
| 140 | Shotgun blast, jet plane | Any exposure is dangerous |
| 120 | Speakers at rock concert, sandblasting, thunderclap | Immediate danger |
| 100 | Chain saw, pneumatic drill | 2 hours |
| 90 | Truck traffic, noisy home appliances, lawn mower | Less than 8 hours |
| 80 | Subway, heavy city traffic, alarm clock at 2 feet | More than 8 hours |
| 70 | Busy traffic, noisy restaurant | Critical level begins with constant exposure |
| 60 | Air conditioner at 20 feet, conversation, sewing machine | |
| 50 | Light traffic at a distance, refrigerator | |
| 40 | Quiet office, living room | |
| 30 | Quiet library, soft whisper | |
| 0 | Lowest sound audible to human ear | |