Bane (noun)

1. A source of harm or ruin.
2. Something causing annoyance or annoyance itself.

Origin:

Middle english: from old english bana "murderer," from banian "kill," of germanic origin; related to german bein "bone".

Examples:

1. He saw the traffic as the bane of his existence.
2. The bane of her life was her daily commute.
3. His smoking habit was the bane of his health.
4. The bane of the town was the pollution.
5. The bane of the company was the lack of communication among employees.