Similar term(s): leisure noise, occupational noise, industrial noise, environmental noise.
Definition:
In a narrow sense, noise can be considered as unwanted sound and refers to
cases where the potentially affected person is not intentionally listening.
People who choose to listen to music or use personal music players can be
exposed to loud sounds, which they do not consider as noise. An involuntary
bystander may nevertheless be distracted and annoyed and may rightfully, call
noise what is sound in his neighbour’s ears.
In a broader sense, noise is often used as a synonym for sound.
Leisure noise: sounds heard during leisure activities (both
wanted and unwanted).
Occupational noise: sounds workers are exposed to at the
workplace.
Source: GreenFacts
Environmental noise shall mean unwanted or harmful outdoor
sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of
transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic, and from sites of industrial
activity such as those defined in Annex I to Council directive 96/61/EC of 24
September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control.
Industrial noise is noise produced by industrial plants
activities.