Noise Pollution

Federal Program to Control It Has Been Slow and Ineffective Gao ID: CED-77-42 March 7, 1977

Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made some progress in fulfilling the requirements of the Noise Control Act of 1972, implementation of many of the Act's provisions has been slow and sometimes ineffective.

Since passage of the Act, only four noise sources have been regulated: newly manufactured portable air compressors, medium and heavy duty trucks, interstate motor carriers, and interstate railroads. Serious problems of coordination between the Federal Aviation Administration and EPA have hindered development of noise control regulations. Little progress has been achieved in labeling noisy products. EPA has placed low priority on technical assistance to State and local governments. Four interagency research panels exist to study aircraft, machinery, noise effects, and surface vehicles, but they have not been effective. An assessment of research done by other Federal agencies has not been completed by EPA, although it is required by the Noise Control Act.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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