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who are bored, unhappy or deprived are specially at risk for
their pica in a lead contaminated environment is potentially
hazardous.
In comparison with Down's syndrome, mental handicap resulting
from lead poisoning is rare but it is essentially preventible.
With benefit, our present methods of control could be reviewed
and new codes introduced to accord with modern thought and
present circumstances.
Noise Abatement Act, 1960
Under this Act a noise nuisance is defined somewhat vaguely
as "any noise which is a nuisance" and a local authority is empowered
to deal with noise and/or vibration as a statutory nuisance.
It is not necessary to prove that such a nuisance is injurious
or dangerous to health. Determination of a nuisance in such
circumstances becomes somewhat involved for a noise constituting
a nuisance to one person may pass unnoticed or even be enjoyed
by a neighbour. Moreover, in any proceedings, it is a defence to
show that the best practical means have been used to prevent or
counteract the effects. There is a clamant need for a clear and
acceptable standard of "noise curve" which to exceed would be
an offence.
Measurement of noise is not difficult but assessing the results in
terms of "nuisance" is much more complex. Some factory
workers are able to withstand a constant barrage of intense
noise which would be completely unacceptable to others in
different situations. Without some just and practical method of
measurement official action will always be suspect.
A recent American investigation into noise and its relationship
with the discotheque has produced some evidence to the effect
that, over a period, a condition similar to presbycusis (an
impairment of hearing due to old age) is likely to arise in habitues
of such establishments. This confirms observations made by an
architectural scientist in the Leeds area where noise levels of
record players were as high as 110 dB(A).
Following the Wilson Report in 1963 which drew attention to
the possible damaging effects of the exposure of workers to high
levels of noise and which considered that 55 dB(A) was a noise
level that should not be exceeded in existing classrooms, research
was continued by Burns and Robinson. They devised methods
of measurement of occupational noise enabling the effects of
intermittent and fluctuating sound to be assessed whereby a limit
of 90 dB(A) was set for normal continuous exposure in an