Recreational and Community Noise

Canadians are surrounded by various sources of recreational and community noise, including

• music and other forms of entertainment such as concerts, stereos, and television
• land, air and water vehicles such as trucks, trains, airplanes and boats
• people and animals
• machinery, power tools, and factories

Even some children's toys have the potential to emit hazardous sound levels. Excessive exposure to noise, even for short durations, can have potential health effects. Significant, adverse, irreversible effects usually occur gradually in response to excessive exposure to noise. However, even short duration exposure (i.e gun fire) can have serious irreversible effects.

For the potential health effects caused by recreational and community noise and information on how you can minimize your risk

• It's Your Health: Community Noise Annoyance
• It's Your Health: Hearing Loss and Leisure Noise
• It's Your Health: Personal Stereo Systems and the Risk of Hearing Loss
• Noise: HealthInsider No. 7, 2002
  This report presents the results of a survey of noise annoyance in Canada. People of age 15 and over were asked about how much they were bothered by noise and which types of noises annoyed them.
• Traffic Noise Outside the Home: HealthInsider No. 8, December 2002
  The results of the last HealthInsider showed overwhelmingly that the most bothersome type of noise experienced by Canadians was road traffic. Therefore, building on results from the last survey, participants were asked how much they were bothered by the noise from road traffic.

For information on what Health Canada does to protect Canadians in this area

• Acoustics

To make an inquiry regarding recreational and community noise

• Contact the Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau