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Why is a daily noise dose above 1 considered unacceptable?

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Can bubble curtains protect harbor porpoises from noise pollution? — noise pollution Learn about the impact of underwater noise on marine animals, notably harbour porpoises.

In environmental science and industrial hygiene, the daily noise dose ( $D$ ) is a calculated value used to assess an individual's total exposure to varying sound levels over a specific period. The dose is determined by the formula:

$D = \frac{C_{1}}{T_{1}} + \frac{C_{2}}{T_{2}} + \frac{C_{3}}{T_{3}} + \dots$

In this equation, $C$ represents the actual time spent at a specific noise level, and $T$ represents the maximum allowable time of exposure for that same level.1

A daily noise dose of 1 represents the maximum limit of safe exposure established by regulatory standards, such as those set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Any dose exceeding 1 is considered unacceptable because it indicates that the individual has been exposed to sound intensities and durations that surpass established safety criteria, thereby increasing the risk of hearing loss and other physiological damage to the ear.12