Next April 25, 2001, will take place in mor than 40 countries around the World the sixth INTERNATIONAL NOISE AWARENESS DAY. This day has been introduced so that the inhabitants of the World become fully aware of the harmful effects o noise, both for individuals and for their communities. Noise is a pervasive envoironmental pollutant which characterizes moder societies.

This is the sixth consecutive year that this celebration takes place. This day is organized and sponsored by the (League for the Hard of Hearing), an organization with headquarters in New York (EEUU) with about 90 years of intense activity in the treatment and prevention of hypocusis.

Unlike other "international days", this one does not take always in the same date, but it usually is celebrated on one of the two last Wednesday of April..

The Acoustics and Electroacoustics Laboratory of the National University of Rosario, Argentina, takes part of this initiative since 1998, and its Director has been appointed member of the International Steering Committee since 1999. This Committee has the responsibility of ensuring success of the celebration all over the World.

There are several recommendations called the "Quiet Diet", for instance:

• Pay attention to tha sounds you make and respect your neighbour's right to enjoy peace and quiet.
• Turn down the volume on your radio or walkman
• Turn off the TV during lunch and diner so you can have a quiet conversation.
• Write letters to your authorities so that they take care of the noise issue.
• Do not honk your horn, except in the case of imminent danger.
• Ask the cinema manager to lower the sound track of the films.
• Avoid noisy sports and activities, replacing them with quiet ones such as chess or visits to libraries, museums.
• From 2:15 PM to 2:16 PM observe one minut of no noise, avoiding shouts and the operation of noisy equipment.

Related dates:

• June 5: World Day of the Environment
• October 10: Day of the Healthy Sound Environment(in Rosario, Argentina, to honour ASOLOFAL in the date of its birthday).
• October 20: Day of the Convention on Children's Rights (children have the right to a healthy sound environment)
• December 10: Date of the Universal Declaration of Humane Rights.