In passing the Noise Control Act (NCA) of 1972, Congress hoped to "promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes health or welfare." The Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was charged with overseeing noise-abatement activities and coordinating its programs with those of other federal agencies that play an important role in noise control. The Noise Control Act was amended by the Quiet Communities Act of 1978 to promote the development of effective state and local noise control programs, to provide funds for noise research, and to produce and disseminate educational materials to the public on the harmful effects of noise and ways to effectively control it.

Throughout the 1970s ONAC issued reports identifying the products that are major sources of noise pollution and providing information on ways to control the noise they generate...