What are the four main categories of pollution?

The correct categorization of pollution includes air, water, land, and noise, as these are the primary mediums through which pollutants affect the environment and human health.

Air pollution includes harmful substances released into the atmosphere, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, significantly impacting air quality and public health. Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies, which can arise from various sources like industrial waste, sewage, and runoff from agricultural activities, affecting aquatic ecosystems and water supplies. Land pollution involves the degradation of the Earth's surface due to the disposal of solid waste and hazardous materials, leading to soil contamination and loss of land usability. Noise pollution comprises unwanted or harmful sounds that can cause disruption and negative health effects in urban and rural areas alike.

The other options fail to encapsulate the main types of pollution effectively. While industrial, residential, commercial, and environmental describe sectors or settings rather than the types or mediums of pollution, primary and secondary pollution types focus on the origins of pollutants rather than their main categories. Solid, liquid, gaseous, and thermal describe states of materials or energy rather than encompassing the broad categories that include the different ways pollution impacts the environment. Thus, air, water, land, and noise provide a comprehensive framework for understanding