FACTBOX: A guide to noise levels

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Maps showing noise levels in towns across England were published on Friday.

Here is a guide to noise levels, measured in dB (A), a scale that uses decibels as perceived by the human ear:

Pain threshold.......................120 dB (A)

Pneumatic drill (7 meters away)......95

Fast train (from platform)...........94

Diesel truck (7 meters away).........83

Plane (take-off, 152 meters away)....81

Car (37 mph, 7 meters away)..........70

Office...............................60

Conversation.........................50

Library..............................40

Quiet bedroom........................35

Threshold of hearing.................0

(Source: DEFRA)