The vicinity of St. Louis, Missouri, was exposed to approximately 150 sonic booms during a 10-month period from July 1961 to April 1962. Ground overpressures, ranging up to about 3 lb/sq ft, were carefully measured for a series of 17 of the supersonic flights. Data obtained from over 2300 direct interviews, analyses of complaints, and engineering evaluations of alleged damage were related to information on aircraft operations and sonic-boom overpressure measurements. Most residents interviewed indicated some interference with routine living activities, yet less than 1% filed formal complaints. Alleged building damage was superficial in nature and consisted mostly of cracks in brittle surfaces. There were no reports of direct adverse physiological effects.

The Effects of Noise on Man covers the techniques for the evaluation of environmental noise in terms of its effects on human. The book provides the fundamental definitions of sound, its measurement, and concepts of the basic functioning, and the attributes of the auditory system. The text also presents along with their experimental basis, procedures for estimating from physical measures of noise its effects on man's auditory system and speech communications. The last part of the book is devoted to man's nonauditory system responses and includes information about the effects of noise on work performance, sleep, feelings of pain, vision, and blood circulation.

The Impact of Noise Pollution: A Socio-Technological Introduction explores the areas that contribute to the generation of noise in the environment. Also covered are the different aspects of human life that is being affected by daily exposure to noise. Issues such as the increasing number of people who have impaired hearing are also addressed in the book. The book first gives an introduction to the threats being posed by noise, followed by topics such as the awareness of the people on the detrimental effect of noise; overall effects of noise on the whole body; and effects of noise on the condition of sleep. The sources of noise, such as the surface transportation and motor vehicle, are extensively discussed. Negative psychological effects of noise are also covered. The final chapter of the book is about the reduction of noise produced by motor vehicles. The text is a comprehensive source of information about noise intended for the general reader.