Jackhammers. Roaring trains. Honking cabs. Everyone knows New York is loud.
But tests show that just walking into a clothing store in the city can expose people to noise levels so dangerous, workers would normally be required by law to have earplugs.
The New York Times says it measured the decibel level at 37 city restaurants, bars, shops and gyms and found potentially hazardous noise levels at one-third of them.
Ear-splitting locations included a spinning class at a Manhattan gym, where the noise averaged 100 decibels, and an Abercrombie & Fitch store where the music pumped at 88 decibels.
Local
Federal rules require employers to make ear protection and hearing tests available to workers exposed to 85-decibels for eight hours or more.
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Copyright AP - Associated Press
