Review of the effects of infrasound on man.
Claims that infrasound adversely affects human performance, makes people "drunk," and directly elicits nystagmus, have not been clearly demonstrated in any experimental study. The effects obtained at low intensity levels of 105 to 120 dB, if they can be substantiated at all, have been exaggerated. Recent well-designed studies conducted at higher intensity levels have found no adverse effects of infrasound on reaction time or human equilibrium. The levels at which infrasound becomes a hazard to man are still unknown. However, the hazardous levels are certain to be much higher than have been suggested in some of the literature. The preliminary exposure limits which were proposed several years ago for use in the U.S.A. are still considered safe and adequate based on present knowledge. Caution is necessary in future research because artifacts produced by faulty experimental procedures can suggest genuine psychological or physiological effects.
D006801:Humans; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D004856:Postural Balance; D011930:Reaction Time; D012107:Research Design; D013016:Sound / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis