As the noise level increases by three decibels, the amount of exposure time is cut by how much?

When the noise level increases by three decibels, the sound intensity doubles. This relationship is due to the logarithmic nature of the decibel scale, where every increase of 3 dB corresponds to a doubling of sound intensity. To maintain a safe level of noise exposure, the permissible exposure time is reduced.

Thus, when the exposure level doubles due to the increase in sound intensity, the exposure time is cut in half. This means that if someone was initially allowed a certain duration of exposure at a lower noise level, when the noise increases by three decibels, they should only be allowed to remain exposed for half that time to maintain the same risk level for hearing damage.

The other options do not align with this relationship since they suggest alternative reductions in exposure time that do not accurately reflect the doubling of intensity that occurs with a 3 dB increase.