Anti-noise protesters and the Civil Aviation Department are to join forces to collect decibel readings of flights from the airport's recently opened second runway. The Aircraft Noise Concern Committee, led by Democratic Party and Tsuen Wan District Board member Albert Chan Wai-Yip, has recorded noise of 78 decibels from planes. Civil Aviation Department readings range from 60 to 74. The safe noise limit is 85 to 90 decibels - anything higher can cause temporary loss of hearing. Peter Wong Hong-yuen, chairman of the Advisory Council on the Environment, said the two should co-ordinate their efforts. 'It was agreed it would be most desirable if the Civil Aviation Department were to jointly make noise measurements with District Board members and advisers so that they come to an agreement on the noise levels,' he said after the council was briefed by department chief planning officer Simon Li Tin-chui. 'Only then can we get away from arguments,' he said. Mr Chan said he would be glad to measure noise with the department. 'They should also invite academics who have recorded even higher measurements,' he said. 'I found it extremely odd, the estates at which the Civil Aviation Department chose to measure, because they were quite far away from the route of the second runway.' He said his group received 20 complaints on Sunday, when people were at home during the day. Mr Li said there was no prospect of changing routes, as that had already been done. However, schedules may be altered to alleviate noise during the night. There are currently 37 flights per hour from the runways.