Concerned Citizens Around Murphy: noise

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?

July 29, 2009

Mr. Wayne Landry
St. Bernard Parish Councilman-At-Large
8201 West Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, LA 70043

Dear Mr. Landry:

Thank you for hosting the July 22, 2009 meeting, which began discussions with Murphy Oil's Meraux refinery on a variety of issues that have an immediate and adverse impact on health, safety and quality of life. Specifically, Murphy Oil identified known sources of past excessive noise levels and vibrations to our homes.

We have an unfortunate zoning situation with heavy industry adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Despite its industrial zoning, excessive noise is out of place and unwelcome here. No neighborhood should be subjected to such "typical refinery noises" yet these noises continue to disturb us at all times of the day and night. Therefore, measures that are appropriate for normal industry practice are inadequate under these circumstances. Murphy Oil must recognize the need to do more than other refineries that are properly buffered from residences.

Throughout the recent past, residents have endured countless days of continuous ear-splitting noise levels or roaring noise that sounds like jet engines. One noise source Murphy Oil identified was a steam atomizer on an over 140 foot-high flare. Residents made numerous complaints to the refinery, yet, Murphy Oil did not repair this atomizer for a long time. Now, Murphy Oil identified another noise source: the new low-NOx burners. When the next excessive noise once again forces us to leave the area or become prisoners in our own homes, what plans will our local officials’ have in place?

These issues are serious and will not go away until the residents are truly protected with sustainable, long-term solutions. Residents must be protected to a higher standard than typical OSHA regulations, and it is our local officials’ duty to implement an enforceable compliance plan. Periodic meetings may help Murphy Oil continue to address their residential neighbors’ concerns.