dangers of high frequency sounds

From time to time high frequency noise emanates from nearby plants and becomes more than just a nuisance to residents; it becomes a public health issue. 

Over many years, the LDEQ dismissed this known offsite effect as a local jurisdiction issue, and local officials claimed lack of personnel and lack of monitors to enforce. The plants claim weekend staffing issues.

Currently, local ordinances tend to only address the loudness of noise level measured in decibels and not the pitch or frequency of noise measured in hertz (Hz).

According to the American Hearing Research Foundation " Generally noise induce hearing loss occurs at a pitch of about 2000 - 4000 Hz". 

The dangers of high frequency sounds should be addressed by both local officials and the Louisiana DEQ. Both State and Parish officials could develop ordinances to protect the public's hearing. At the very least any noise monitors in the community should include frequency measurements, and those measurements should be posted in real time to a publicly accessible website. 

This is an issue the residents of St Bernard have been begging for help with. There is no lack of knowledge of the source of the noise. It is a well documented offsite affect.  There seems to be alot of attention on the worker's hearing protection but none for the human beings who reside just on the other side of the fence.

In this article link below, about the Sonic Attack in Cuba, "the incident has brought up questions over how quickly sound waves can cause hearing loss without warning signs.

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/sonic-attack-hearing-loss#3

"Dr. Darius Kohan, director of otology and neurotology at Lenox Hill Hospital/Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, said that it’s possible for sound to irreparably damage the ear without a person knowing their hearing is being impacted."

What are we waiting for?

Its Hurricane Season, Are Your Canals Ready?

Its the most active time of Hurricane Season and the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District has failed to maintain its storm drainage canals. State Senators and Legislators alike are well aware. Yet nothing is changing.

The Lake Borgne Basin Levee District became part of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East in 2006 by an act of the State Legislature and is governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the Governor.

Perhaps Governor John Bel Edwards can help us prevent flooding

Negligent would not be strong enough word if it is true that the LBBLD has made deliberate decisions to purposely not maintain an integral component of the flood protection plan.Yet, the LBBLD still collects property tax dollars dedicated to the maintenance of these canals. Citizens did not authorize the Flood Authority to re-direct our tax dollars to other components.

The claim of lack of funding is no excuse, because these trees shown in photos below have been growing in the canals for well over a year, if not two years. The trees could have been removed during the fall and winter months when levee grass does not need as much mowing. Instead, the Flood Authority has allowed the overgrowth to continue and to develop islands and mud flats in the drainage systems they are responsible to maintain. It will likely require a very long, laborious, and costly dredging program to bring the canals up to par.

 Lake Borgne Basin Levee District storm drainage canal at Despaux Drive

Lake Borgne Basin Levee District storm drainage canal at Missouri Avenue (yes there is a storm water canal under there somewhere)

LBBLD storm drainage canal facing Valero Energy tank farm

Yes, Virginia, there is a canal under there at Chalona and St Bernard Highway and also under the growth at Val Reiss and Chalona below. Not to mention mosquitoes (Zika, West Nile, Yellow Fever)

.  Maybe the Governor's Office can help.