Noise Control Act of 1972

United States legislation

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

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The Noise Control Act of 1972 is a United States law aimed at reducing noise pollution. Noise pollution is defined as unwanted or excessive sound that can harm human health, wildlife, and the environment. This legislation, along with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, empowers agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to set limits on industrial noise exposure and the duration of such exposure. The goal is to protect public health and environmental quality from the detrimental effects of excessive noise, which can range from hearing loss to increased blood pressure and stress.1

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Sila María Calderón
…on the basis of the Noise Control Act of 1972, but the suit was dismissed the following year. In a nonbinding referendum held in July 2001—despite the announcement by U.S. President George W. Bush that the bombing would be permanently halted within two years—more than two-thirds of Vieques residents voted…
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…on the basis of the Noise Control Act of 1972, but the suit was dismissed the following year. In a nonbinding referendum held in July 2001—despite the announcement by U.S. President George W. Bush that the bombing would be permanently halted within two years—more than two-thirds of Vieques residents voted…
Read More