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Yep, the NIOSH meter app they recommend uses dB(A).

Though that's still incomplete, because (more of the context stuff that you just have to know already) the "A" here refers to the frequency-weighting scheme used in the measurement, and not to the reference level (which is SPL).

It should probably be given as: dB(A) SPL, or dB SPL (A-weighted).

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formerly_proven a day ago | parent [-]

Though that's still incomplete, because (more of the context stuff that you just have to know already) the "SPL" here refers to the reference level in air (20 µPa) and not water or oil (1 µPa).

It should probably be given as: dB(A) SPL (1=20 µPa).

Though that's still incomplete, because (more of the context stuff that you just have to know already) the 20 µPa only applies at the standard temperature and pressure.

It should probably be given as: dB(A) SPL (1=20 µPa, T=293 K, P=101.3 kPa, in standard air).

Though that's still incomplete, because (more of the context stuff that you just have to know already) the (A) here is actually the A-weighting curve specified in IEC 61672:2003.

It should probably be given as: dB A-weighted (IEC 61672:2003) SPL (1=20 µPa, T=293 K, P=101.3 kPa, in standard air).

Though that's still incomplete, because (more of the context stuff that you just have to know already) ...

...

The point of communication is to transport information, not pointless pedantry (except for a small subset of the population). Nobody is confused as to what 85 dBA refers to.

	▲	radiowave a day ago \| parent [-]
		Granted, I should have been clearer about my intended point, which is just the hazard of assuming that the letter(s) after the dB tell you the reference, because sometimes they don't.