BLOOMINGTON - A noise expert testifying for opponents of a proposed gravel pit Thursday called into question the findings of a similar expert called by developers.

Greg Zak of Springfield, owner of Noise Solutions by Greg Zak, said Eric Carlson, an engineer for MACTEC Engineers of Peoria, used equipment that is no longer recognized by the Illinois Pollution Control Board when he did a noise study for Carri Scharf Materials Co.

The instruments used by Carlson "can't measure according to board standards," Zak said, so therefore they are not relevant.

Zak said that when proper equipment is used for testing, the noise levels at the gravel pit proposed on 26 acres off Stringtown Road would exceed the pollution control board's standards because the site is near the Fox Creek subdivision and Fox Creek Elementary School.

The biggest problem would be the backup beepers on the equipment, Zak said.

"They're designed to be as noisy and irritating as possible," he said. "They have to have beepers but it would cause considerable annoyance for the neighbors."

Zak, who worked 28 years for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, said a proposed berm on the site would not help block the noise from the school because the school is on higher ground.

While Scharf attorney William Wetzel pointed out Zak did not test the specific equipment that will be used at the site, Zak maintained there isn't that much difference in noise among equipment manufactured by different companies.

Zak also said wind could make the noise and the dust problems even worse. He said last year he was at a gravel pit operation in Heyworth when the wind was blowing and he couldn't even unpack his instruments without fear of ruining them.

Fox Creek school "would be inundated in dust on a day similar to last year" if the gravel pit was built nearby, he said.

The hearing will continue at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Room 400 at the Government Center, 115 E. Washington St.