What is a common method for measuring noise levels in the environment?

Decibels are the standard unit of measurement used to quantify sound levels, particularly in environmental monitoring. This unit provides a logarithmic scale that reflects how humans perceive changes in loudness. When measuring noise, levels are typically expressed in decibels (dB) because they allow for a clearer understanding of the intensity of sound relative to a reference level. For instance, the threshold of hearing is defined as 0 dB, while sounds above 85 dB can potentially lead to hearing damage with prolonged exposure.

Other options represent different measurements: Hertz measures frequency (cycles per second) and is important in sound analysis but does not quantify loudness; Amperes measure electrical current; and Lux measures illuminance or light level, which is unrelated to noise measurement. Thus, decibels is the most appropriate choice for assessing noise levels in the environment.