Home › Forums › Open Discussion › The Hum in Seattle
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July 31, 2009 at 3:43 am #591748
AJAXParticipantThere was a discussion not long ago which has been closed relating to a strange hum people have been experiencing in the area. This caught my interest as I too have been suffering from the hum for several years now. What really peaked my interest is a commonality we share – Nucor Steel.
I am on the east coast and have been subject to the noise pollution that Nucor puts out since they upgraded their facilities to increase the output, though the last year has been the absolute worst, with the exception of the last several months of it being generally tolerable. Today however, it seems to have come back with a vengeance. I cannot begin to describe the horrible effects that this noise has, lack of ability to sleep being the most troublesome. It’s like living with a transformer right up next to your ears.
I would love to continue this discussion with others. I’m sure most here may not have even considered Nucor as a possibility (it took me a few years to come to the conclusion that they were most likely responsible.)
I am hoping that by sharing enough information we can work together to force Nucor to reduce the noise to a more accceptable level. I am convinced that they are responsible.
I would love for others who are bothered by this to chime in. I have more to contribute in terms of Nucor’s handling of my complaint, and would be happy to share it.
The recent discussion which is now closed is:
July 31, 2009 at 4:42 am #673376
JanSParticipantI’m in the Admiral District , just up the hill from Nucor…have never heard the hum., which definitely doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Glad that you’ve been in touch with them. Is there also some agency that one would contact?
July 31, 2009 at 6:21 am #673377
AJAXParticipantHi Jan.
Well, technically speaking, the type of noise pollution I strongly suspect they are responsible for is not regulated by any agency. Noise ordinances in our area and the whole country in general for that matter are weak at best and do not address it adequately.
Similar to Chinese water torture, the decibel levels are generally low (I should say within generally accepted levels – this is a matter of debate), but is the characteristics of the noise is what makes it so disturbing.
The EPA in the 70’s relinquished further study and regulation of noise to the states and localities, if I understand it correctly. In my area, they may as well have just said do whatever you want, since none of the local governments around here have the funds to regulate or enforce adequate protections. I’ve spoken with my local supervisor about it who says there is nothing he can do, and seemed generally disinterested in helping out.
This area is very dependent on Nucor for jobs – I think it is the largest manufacturer in the area, so nobody seems to be willing to address it.
Oh well…
July 31, 2009 at 7:44 am #673378
JanSParticipantSo…you’re near a Nucor plant on the east coast?
July 31, 2009 at 11:00 am #673379
AJAXParticipantYes, about as close as you can get without living inside it, almost…
July 31, 2009 at 11:41 am #673380
AJAXParticipantI should make perfectly clear that I continually consider every possibility. I always try to keep an open mind, which is why the “Hum” phoenomena fascinates me. I would say that that possibility seems remote, however. Then of course there is the tinnitus angle. Or it could be a rare sensitivity to LFN. But I just don’t think so.
July 31, 2009 at 12:34 pm #673381
ToddinWestwoodMemberI wonder if they have induction furnaces over there, most likely.
http://www.atlasfdry.com/inductionfurnaces.htm
Induction Furnaces
The principle of induction melting is that a high voltage electrical source from a primary coil induces a low voltage, high current in the metal, or secondary coil. Induction heating is simply a method of transferring heat energy.
“Induction furnaces are ideal for melting and alloying a wide variety of metals with minimum melt losses, however, little refining of the metal is possible. There are two main types of induction furnace: coreless and channel.”
“The power cubmicle converts the voltage and frequency of main supply, ot that required for electrical melting. Frequencies used in induction melting vary from 50 cycles per second (mains frequency) to 10,000 cycles per second (high frequency). The higher the operating frequency, the greater the maximum amount of power that can be applied to a furnace of given capacity and the lower the amount of turbulence induced.
When the charge material is molten, the interaction of the magnetic field and the electrical currents flowing in the induction coil produce a stirring action within the molten metal. This stirring action forces the molten metal to rise upwards in the centre causing the characteristic meniscus on the surface of the metal. The degree of stirring action is influenced by the power and frequency applied as well as the size and shape of the coil and the density and viscosity of the molten metal. The stirring action within the bath is important as it helps with mixing of alloys and melting of turnings as well as homogenising of temerature throughout the furnace. Excessive stirring can increase gas pick up, lining wear and oxidation of alloys.”
July 31, 2009 at 5:25 pm #673382
JeffroMemberAt various times I have heard the hum. I haven’t heard it since May and I try not to listen for it for fear it might come back. I’ve decided that it is most likely all in my head, which has helped me to cope.
A couple articles were also therapeutic for me. First, a BBC article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8056284.stm. Second, a boingboing writeup and discussion of that article: http://boingboing.net/2009/05/19/weird-hums-in-the-uk.html.
August 1, 2009 at 5:30 am #673383
AJAXParticipantWell, Jeffro, there are a lot of people experiencing this that know it is NOT in their head.
That is not to say that there may not be internal causes, as this is quite possible. But the HUM does exist and is a REAL problem for many people. Most likely a result of industrial noise if you ask me…..
August 1, 2009 at 8:53 am #673384
JeffroMemberI’m not saying it doesn’t exist. I have lost sleep to it myself. The sound for me is that of a diesel engine idling right outside.
I’ve concluded for myself that there is no getting to the source of the hum, as the noise gets lost in all the other noises the second I open my door. I’ve decided that it’s in my head because it’s the easiest way for me to tolerate it. I’ll accept that it could be a cruise ship or a nearby plant, but if it were that simple, someone would be able to measure the decibel level, no?
August 1, 2009 at 9:32 am #673385
KalHellMemberThis stuff is bunk, there is zero evidence except anecdotal. Maybe you could call up Jenny McCarthy, or even Oprah to help you on your imaginary cause.
August 1, 2009 at 11:45 am #673386
AJAXParticipantImaginary Cause?
If you have nothing to contribute, please just go away.
Please don’t insult those of us who experience this devastating BS…
August 1, 2009 at 6:11 pm #673387
JanSParticipantKalHell…you signed up(on Aug. 01) just to say that? Wow…
August 2, 2009 at 5:26 am #673388
JLMemberI find this thread very interesting. I thought the hum I was hearing was strange but couldn’t put my finger on its origin. I would be sitting on my patio during the day and it sounded like a very very large bee hive nearby. I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one!
August 2, 2009 at 6:11 am #673389
KalHellMemberI do have something to ad. I’m a card caring skeptic, and with extraordinary claims comes extraordinary evidence. Why don’t you record the hum, then you could play it on demand, and prove the naysayers wrong? Here is the part when you tell me it can’t be recorded because of some magical thinking.
If you did somehow record this hum you could have a civil suit with its cause. Problem solved.
Though I truly think you won’t make a single move on this.
One last fix, I have done a lot of research on this in the last 24 hours and if you take some foil and fashion a beanie or helmet if you will, the hum stops.
Bye the way there is no influx of patients in the ER or fires or crimes committed during a full moon, You do use about 100% of your brain, not ten percent, and Obama was born in Hawaii, not Kenya.
Good luck.
August 2, 2009 at 6:14 am #673390
pigeonmomParticipantSmells like troll in here.
August 2, 2009 at 6:46 am #673391
KalHellMemberSo asking for evidence is trolling, huh?
You believe by trying to taint the messenger taints his information. This is a logical fallacy called an Ad hominem attack-
An ad hominem argument is any that attempts to counter claims or conclusions by attacking the person, rather than addressing the argument itself. True believers will often commit this fallacy by countering the arguments of skeptics by stating that skeptics are closed minded.
August 2, 2009 at 6:48 am #673392
JeannieParticipantYes, the KH troll is definitely a hum-bug.
August 2, 2009 at 6:50 am #673393
KalHellMemberHee, Hee. Hum-bug!
August 2, 2009 at 6:58 am #673394
lil moMemberI used to live about a 1 1/2 blocks from the steel mill,and heard the “hum” all the time. It did seem to come and go, which made me think that it may have come from the Port. I suppose it could be either/ or, but I remember being irritated by it on more than one occasion when I would be trying to sleep.
August 2, 2009 at 7:11 am #673395
KalHellMemberRead the thread that sparked this, the hum is everywhere, people hear, people don’t hear it.
If you can hear it, you can record it.
That would be the first step.
August 2, 2009 at 7:14 am #673396
pigeonmomParticipantNo KH, it was more your verbal diarrhea.
August 2, 2009 at 8:31 am #673397
KalHellMemberNow, who is the Troll? You’re trying to bate me by being personally insulting and not talking on topic. Plus you’re invoking unpleasant fecal matter imagery and it’s quite uncalled for, and childish.
August 2, 2009 at 8:42 am #673398
AJAXParticipantKnow much about LFE KH? Didn’t think so…
August 2, 2009 at 10:26 am #673399
LeroniusmonkfishMemberGeez “Crap From Hell” looks like you found a new blog to squat.
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