What term describes the harmful or annoying sound from traffic, airports, construction, or industry?

• A. Noise pollution
• B. Air pollution
• C. Water pollution
• D. Lead pollution

Answer: (A)

Noise pollution describes harmful or annoying sound levels coming from traffic, airports, construction, or industry, and it’s treated as a form of environmental pollution because it can degrade health and well-being. This term fits because the issue is not about chemical contaminants in air or water, but about unwanted sound that disrupts daily life, sleep, concentration, and even hearing over time. It’s measured in sound levels (often decibels), and management involves regulations and design changes to reduce exposure. The other options describe different kinds of pollution—air pollution concerns contaminants in the air, water pollution concerns contaminants in water, and lead pollution refers to toxicity from a specific pollutant—so they don’t capture the problem described by persistent or disruptive sounds from human activity.