Question

Which regulatory authority establishes the noise limits in industrial areas?

• A. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• B. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• C. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• D. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Hint:

• In the U.S., OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets standards for workplace safety, including permissible noise exposure limits for workers in industrial areas to prevent hearing loss.
• The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulates ambient noise pollution affecting the general public and environment.
• FDA deals with food and drugs; FAA deals with aviation.
• The question likely refers to worker exposure within industrial areas.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The regulatory authority that establishes noise limits specifically for the protection of workers in industrial areas is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Step-by-Step Explanation:

Step 1: Understanding the Scope of Each Authority

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA's role in noise control is primarily to set guidelines for ambient noise levels to protect public health and welfare from environmental noise pollution. While this can include noise emanating *from* industrial areas into surrounding communities, the EPA typically doesn't set direct, enforceable noise limits *within* industrial workplaces. Much of the direct regulation of environmental noise is delegated to state and local governments.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA is responsible for protecting public health by regulating food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and tobacco products. It has no jurisdiction over industrial noise limits.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): The FAA regulates civil aviation, including air traffic control, pilot certification, and aircraft noise. Its focus is on aviation noise, not industrial noise in general.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA is a federal agency of the United States Department of Labor. Its primary mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. A significant part of its mandate involves establishing and enforcing Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for noise to protect workers from hearing loss and other adverse health effects due to excessive noise exposure in the workplace, including industrial settings.

Step 2: Identifying the Most Relevant Authority for Industrial Areas

When discussing "noise limits in industrial areas," it often refers to two main aspects:

1. Occupational Noise: Noise levels that workers are exposed to within the industrial facility.
2. Environmental Noise: Noise emitted from the industrial facility that affects the surrounding community.

While environmental agencies (like the EPA or state/local environmental departments) address the latter, OSHA directly and explicitly establishes and enforces the legally binding noise limits for worker safety *within* industrial environments. OSHA's noise standard (29 CFR 1910.95) mandates that employers implement a hearing conservation program if noise exposure levels reach or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 dBA, and sets a PEL of 90 dBA TWA for 8 hours.

Step 3: Conclusion

Given the options, and the direct regulatory power to establish and enforce noise exposure limits for individuals working *in* industrial areas, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the most accurate answer.