Toward a Quieter State

As the nation's most densely populated state, New Jersey feels the impact of environmental problems more acutely than other states. Having cracked down on water polluters and acted to control auto-exhaust emissions, the state last week attacked noise pollution. Under a remarkable new law New Jersey authorized its aggressive department of environmental protection to draw up the U.S.'s first comprehensive statewide code to regulate all kinds of unwanted sounds.

Among the steps toward quiet that the department can take:

> Establish decibel limits for industrial noise.

> Prescribe hours during which noisemakers, like private power lawn-mowers or public garbage-grinding trucks, can operate.

> Zone areas for quiet.

> Inspect auto mufflers.

The law sets fines for convicted offenders of up to $3,000 per violation. Best of all, the department can require mufflers on such obstreperous devices as air compressors, pneumatic drills and concrete mixers.

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