Sales G D, Wilson K J, Spencer K E, Milligan S R
Department of Zoology, King's College, London, UK.
Lab Anim. 1988 Oct;22(4):369-75. doi: 10.1258/002367788780746188.
Many laboratory animals are known to be sensitive to sounds (ultrasounds) beyond the nominal upper limit (20 kHz) of the human hearing range. Sources of sound in laboratories and animal houses were examined to determine the extent of ambient ultrasound. Of 39 sources monitored, 24 were found to emit ultrasonic sounds. Many of these (e.g. cage washers and hoses) also produced sound in the audible range. Running taps, squeaky chairs and rotating glass stoppers created particularly high sound pressure levels and contained frequencies to over 100 kHz. The oscilloscopes and visual display units investigated provided particular cause for concern as they emitted sounds that were entirely ultrasonic and therefore were apparently silent. Ambient ultrasound therefore appears to be common in laboratories and animal houses. It is suggested that its effect on laboratory animals should be investigated and guidelines on acceptable levels be formulated.
许多实验动物对超出人类听力范围标称上限（20千赫）的声音（超声波）敏感，这是已知的。对实验室和动物房中的声源进行了检查，以确定环境超声的程度。在监测的39个声源中，发现有24个发出超声波。其中许多声源（如笼子清洗机和软管）也会发出可听范围内的声音。流水声、吱吱作响的椅子声和旋转的玻璃塞产生的声压级特别高，频率超过100千赫。所调查的示波器和可视显示单元尤其令人担忧，因为它们发出的声音完全是超声波，因此显然是无声的。因此，环境超声在实验室和动物房中似乎很常见。建议对其对实验动物的影响进行调查，并制定可接受水平的指导方针。
