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The state rule is based on one-hour statistical measurement of noise levels received by a listener. It regulates sources that emit loud noises for more than six minutes out of an hour and persistent noises that occur for more than 30 minutes out of an hour. Limits are lower for night hours and depend upon the type of land usage, requiring lower noise levels in areas that are residential or that require quiet because of health, religious, or cultural facilities, for example. The MPCA can assist municipalities by sending staff and equipment to monitor noise levels. Local or MPCA follow-up generally has been successful in enforcing the noise rule. MPCA staff usually work with city planning staff to resolve local noise problems. Enforcement of state motor vehicle noise limits is the responsibility of local law enforcement officials. The state noise rule does not regulate what is tenned "impulse noise." Impulse noise is a brief but loud noise that disrupts nonnal activities. Because of its short duration and often unpredictable occurrence, monitoring is difficult and usually does not reveal levels above the state noise rules. Impulse noise cannot be effectively regulated by nuisance ordinances. Dust A third source of citizen complaints is blowing dust. State and federal rules include standards for the amount of fine dust particles (less than 10 microns in size) allowed in the air around us. That is because the fine particles have the potential to lodge in our lungs and affect our health. The rules include limits on the emission of dust, and the MPCA includes limits on the release of particulate matter in its air emissions pennits for the 'kinds of facilities that have a potential for releasing particulates Doc. # 2.05, Page 3 from stacks. The pennits also require dust- control measures to control the amount of dust produced from sources other than stacks, such as loading and unloading activities. Thus, cement and asphalt operations, grain elevators, and other materials-handling facilities must meet rule and/or pennit conditions to limit dust. Under Minnesota Rules, no one is allowed to cause avoidable amounts of dust to become airborne. This applies to all facilities, regardless of their pennitting status. If these kinds of operations are routinely causing dust problems, the MPCA wants to know about it. The MPCA needs the infonnation in order to enforce the rule and pennit conditions. Other dust sources such as roads, construction sites, parking lots, and stockpiles of sand and gravel often can more readily be controlled by your local nuisance ordinances. Who to Call Air Quality Complaints: (651) 296-7300 Noise: (651) 296-7898 Toll-free / TTY: (800) 657-3864 TTY: (651)297-5332 Names of complainants remain confidentiaL * Printed on paper containing at least 20 percent fibers from paper recycled from consumers.