Noise Exposure Calculator
Calculate occupational noise dose from dB level and duration using OSHA 90 dBA and NIOSH 85 dBA standards.
Returns dose percentage and exposure time.
Enter noise level and exposure time to calculate dose percentage.
Noise exposure limits protect hearing. Two major standards exist: OSHA and NIOSH.
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL): Uses a 5 dB exchange rate (doubling rate).
- 85 dB: 16 hours
- 90 dB: 8 hours (the reference level)
- 95 dB: 4 hours
- 100 dB: 2 hours
- 105 dB: 1 hour
- 110 dB: 30 minutes
- 115 dB: 15 minutes
NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits (REL): Uses a 3 dB exchange rate (more conservative).
- 85 dB: 8 hours (the reference level)
- 88 dB: 4 hours
- 91 dB: 2 hours
- 94 dB: 1 hour
- 97 dB: 30 minutes
- 100 dB: 15 minutes
Dose formula:
- OSHA: Allowed hours = 8 / 2^((dB - 90) / 5)
- NIOSH: Allowed hours = 8 / 2^((dB - 85) / 3)
- Dose % = (Actual hours / Allowed hours) × 100
100% dose = maximum safe exposure. Above 100% means hearing damage risk.