How loud is 85dB, and is it safe for long sessions?

It is roughly city-traffic loud — the level mix engineers use as a reference anchor. Occupational guidance (NIOSH) treats 85dB as the threshold where exposure time starts to matter: hours at that level add up, and every +3dB halves the recommended exposure time. Practical translation for listeners: enjoy loud passages, but let the average sit lower, take breaks, and use a phone SPL app for a reality check. We frame this carefully on purpose — hearing does not regenerate.