85dB

85dB refers to a sound level of eighty‑five decibels, a unit of measurement on the logarithmic decibel scale used to express sound intensity relative to a reference pressure of 20 micropascals in air. This level is roughly equivalent to a busy office, a passing diesel locomotive, or a running lawn mower, and it is frequently cited as the threshold at which chronic occupational noise exposure can begin to damage hearing. According to guidelines issued by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), workers exposed to noises at or above 85 dB for extended periods should use hearing protection and may be subject to regular audiometric testing. In contrast, sound levels below 60 dB are generally considered safe for long‑term exposure without protective equipment. In audio engineering, 85 dB is also used as a benchmark to describe loudness levels for instruments or recording equipment, and it can be seen on sound level meters as an indicator of significant ambient noise. The decibel scale’s logarithmic nature means each 10‑decibel increment represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity; thus, 85 dB is ten times more intense than 75 dB but only half as intense as 95 dB. The exposure to loud noises, even at 85 dB, can accumulate over time, making regular hearing health monitoring an important consideration in both industrial and everyday settings.