The Citizens Coalition Against Noise Pollution
Fact Sheet
NoiseOFF
NoiseOFF is a united coalition of citizens, elected representatives, law enforcement professionals, educators, researchers, students and activists from the United States and abroad.
Founded in September 2004 by Richard Tur, based in Queens, New York.
We raise public awareness that noise pollution is a serious problem. We legislate on all levels of government. We work to promote effective law enforcement to reduce noise pollution. We hold accountable individuals, businesses and special interest groups who seek to undermine noise pollution standards.
A retired paralegal in Florida sued a boom car driver in a bid to quiet the noise and collect monetary damages. The case was settled out of court with the defendant dismantling his boom car system and writing a formal letter of apology. He was also required to speak publicly to his peers about the harms of booming.
Health and Social Aspects
In a 2001 US Census survey, 11.8 million households said street or traffic noise was bothersome. An additional 4.5 million residents said it was so bad they wanted to move.
People who are exposed to noise pollution suffer from hearing loss, sleep deprivation, chronic fatigue, anxiety, hostility, depression and hypertension.
In children, it has been proven that exposure to noise pollution results in slowed learning.
According to National Institutes of Health, more than 10 million people in the United States suffer permanent, noise-induced hearing loss.
More than 1/3 of the U.S. population lives in neighborhoods with noise levels above those recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The medical journal Thorax reported the cases of four young men who suffered a lung collapse triggered by loud bass music. Three of the men were at a concert or club, while the fourth was in a boom car outfitted with a 1,000-watt bass system.
Noise Pollution Industry
Pioneer Electronics launched a $3 million advertising campaign for its car stereo equipment, with the theme "Disturb," "Defy," "Disrupt," and "Ignite." They produced a web video called "Disturb". A young man talks about spending half of his inheritance money to purchase car audio equipment costing $30,000. Another brags about how his boom car sets off car alarms and once caused a little boy to cry in the middle of the street.
Flowmaster, a manufacturer of hot-rod mufflers markets its products describing it as "an aggressive muscle car sound". They promote its trademarked product lines with names like American Thunder. They promise "powerfully aggressive sound outside the vehicle" and "the true tone of American muscle and performance".
Super Street Magazine describes Alpine's car stereo amplifiers: "Alpine's amplifiers are so tough that some people use them as weapons of mass destruction. With 1,800 watts of power, this thing can ruin a whole city block."
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) represents the $29 billion automotive after-market industry with over 5,700 member companies. SEMA works at the federal level through its Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. SEMA lobbies state legislators via hot-rod and motorcycle clubs.
Darrell Issa, a Republican Congressman from Orange County, California, is the former chairman of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). He is also the founder of Directed Electronics, VIPER car audio, and VIPER car alarms. Issa is a member of the Congressional Automotive, Performance, and Motorsport Caucus. SEMA calls Issa "one of our own."
As former head of the CEA, Issa traveled around the country lobbying against municipal noise ordinances. He attempted, unsuccessfully, to change Chicago's ordinance banning loud boom car equipment that is "plainly audible" from 75 feet. Chicago's ordinance has cut boom car business by one-third, resulting in less noise for its citizens.
A survey by the Progressive Casualty Insurance Company found that less than one percent of respondents would call the police upon hearing a car alarm. The Highway Loss Data Institute, an insurance industry think tank, examined the thefts of insured vehicles with and without car alarms, and concluded that car alarms had no effect.
The Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA), represents automotive aftermarket retailers. They issued a position statement warning its member companies "not to use symbols, messages or suggest behavior that would adversely affect the industry. Irresponsible promotion could negatively impact the perception of our industry by the public at large and could be used against us by activists or government to regulate our products and activities".
Car Audio Marketing Messages:
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