Columbia Study Shows 98% of Manhattan Is Lethally Loud

You've got to shout to be heard in this town -- and it's killing us.

Noise in 98 percent of Manhattan's public space exceeds healthy levels, says a study co-authored by Columbia University researchers to be released today.

Honking cars or quarreling neighbors raise our stress, but background noise like truck traffic that New Yorkers take in stride may be even worse, said Robyn Gershon, a Columbia professor.