sgcpal@watdcsu.UUCP (P.A. Layman [EE-SiDIC]) (11/21/85)
Shortly after the birth of our first child we were given a number of gifts by friends and relatives. One of these was a Rattle produced by Johnson and Johnson. It looked harmless enough. It also didn't fit through the gauge that the Canadian government uses to test rattles to make sure the won't choke your child. However the first time I shook it next to my head I though I would go deaf. I have since taken it into our acoustics lab and measured the noise level it produces. Moderately shaken, at a distance of 2 - 3 inches, typical values near 99 dbA were measured, with peaks above 101dbA. The distance used was roughly the distance to my sons ear when I saw him shaking it. This level of noise seems somewhat excessive and have since taken the rattle away permanently. Question: When they test childrens toys do they consider Noise levels? Any comments? Paul L. (sgcpal@watdcsu.UUCP) PS. The rattle is about 8 inches long, has a white torroid on one end, and a clear center section leading to a 2 inch diameter clear end with a number of clear blue beads. The center section also contains a red and white striped tube.