Cacophonous City

This is First Avenue, captured last year when I took the Roosevelt Island Tram for the first time. According to researchers from Columbia University, Manhattan's noisiest spots were along the city's truck routes including First Avenue above 14th Street. Since there are several hospitals in this area of the Upper Eastside, the noise from ambulance sirens contributes to the problem. The research findings showed that the noise levels in different sites in Manhattan were above 70 decibels, which are enough to cause hearing loss over time. The results of these studies are released today as part of the International Conference on Urban Health at the New York Academy of Medicine.

"The Noise Of New York" video from squared9

"Sounds of the City" video from jenellecleary