US – Tuesday, February 9
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Published 01:58, November the 17th, 2009
 
The loudest sound Sachwald has recorded was a NASCAR racetrack in Virginia — 130 decibels.The loudest sound Sachwald has recorded was a NASCAR racetrack in Virginia — 130 decibels.
Photo: J.B. NICHOLAS/METRO
 

Making big noise around New York

 Loud transit

A study released in June found subways average 80.4 decibels and could lead to noise-induced hearing loss among some frequent transit riders.

A whisper: 30 dBA

Normal conversation: 60-70 dBA

Chainsaw: 100 dBA

Gunfire: 140 dBA

Bad rap

Top 5 NYC noise complaints in FY2009:

After-hours construction (8,537)

Barking dog (6,986)

Construction equipment (6,176)

Jack hammering (5,323)

Air conditioner/ventilation equipment (4,262)

 

By night, he’s a DJ, spinning heavy metal in East Village clubs. By day he measures noise pollution.

In a city where noise is the perennial No. 1 complaint to 311, headbanger Benjamin Sachwald helped the rewrite the noise code.

The firm he works for, AKRF, updated the sound standards for the 21st century, adding requirements for Mister Softee trucks. The company also does readings for fed-up tenants living above bars and developers planning projects by elevated subways.

As a drummer for heavy metal bands — his last was called Take This City by Nightfall — Sachwald is sensitive to being a noise-maker. “I don’t practice in my apartment,” he said. “People don’t want to hear their neighbors.”

Sachwald demonstrated the barrage beneath the N/W tracks at 39th Avenue in Queens a couple of weeks ago — a “fairly noisy” 82 decibels. As a state authority the MTA isn’t subject to city codes. But the agency does plan to issue recommendations by January for reducing subway clamor.

“Studies show exposure to noise can lead to certain health problems like high blood pressure, stress, anxiety,” he said. “What’s really unpleasant is when you get that metal-on-metal screeching. I hear that and start thinking of the appropriate way to mitigate it.”

Tips

What to do with a noisy neighbor?

1 “The first thing is to talk to them,” Sachwald advises.

2 If that fails, call 311 and get the Department of Environmental Protection involved, he said.

3 It’s expensive to retrofit and soundproof older buildings, Sachwald said, though adding carpets might help.

 
 
 
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MMMpod
The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.

 
 
Metro Life Panel