How can noise pollution affect construction workers?

Noise pollution can significantly impact the health and safety of construction workers, primarily by leading to hearing loss and increasing the risk of accidents. Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise on a construction site can cause auditory damage, resulting in temporary or permanent hearing impairment. This can affect a worker's ability to communicate effectively, hear warnings, or maintain awareness of their surroundings.

Moreover, high noise levels can create a stressful and distracting work environment. When workers struggle to hear important sounds—such as alarms, machinery sounds indicating malfunction, or verbal instructions—the likelihood of accidents increases. In essence, the combination of hearing loss and distraction from excessive noise can compromise safety protocols, ultimately leading to harmful situations on the job site.

Contrastingly, the other options suggest that noise could be beneficial or have minimal impact, which does not accurately reflect the potential negative outcomes associated with noise pollution in construction environments.