contaminant
Unwanted harmful substance
A contaminant is something that makes another substance impure or unsuitable for its intended use.
The term appears most often in environmental and industrial contexts: Water samples showed elevated levels of contaminants.
Air, soil, food, and blood can all contain contaminants.
The word emphasizes unwanted presence rather than inherent harm—a contaminant in one context may be harmless in another.
Biological-origin harm agent
- carcinogenCancer-promoting agent
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
- mutagenAgent causing genetic change
- teratogenDevelopmental toxin
biohazard · allergen · asbestos · lead · mercury · arsenic · radioactivity · dioxin
Substances released into air
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
- runoffExcess water drainage
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
particulates · smog · fumes · exhaust · heavy metals · industrial waste · oil spill · microplastics
Impurity added intentionally
- particulateTiny suspended matter
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- residueMatter left behind
- debrisScattered broken fragments
foreign matter · precipitate · silt · turbidity · trace element · inclusion · filtrate · colloid
Federal environmental regulator
- SuperfundPolluted site restoration program
- remediationAct of correcting faults
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
- cleanupRestoration of order
monitoring · abatement · scrubber · filtration · threshold · compliance · water quality · emission standard
toxin
Biological-origin harm agent
- carcinogenCancer-promoting agent
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
- mutagenAgent causing genetic change
teratogen · biohazard · allergen · asbestos · lead · mercury · arsenic · radioactivity · dioxin · PCB
emissions
Substances released into air
discharge · particulates · smog · fumes · exhaust · heavy metals · industrial waste · oil spill · microplastics · leachate
adulterant
Impurity added intentionally
- particulateTiny suspended matter
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- residueMatter left behind
debris · foreign matter · precipitate · silt · turbidity · trace element · inclusion · filtrate · colloid · precipitant
EPA
Federal environmental regulator
- SuperfundPolluted site restoration program
- remediationAct of correcting faults
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
cleanup · monitoring · abatement · scrubber · filtration · threshold · compliance · water quality · emission standard · hazmat
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
parasite · spore · coliform · E. coli · salmonella · listeria · algae · protozoa · yeast · biofilm
- hazardsfire hazard, fire hazards, toxin, tripping hazard, choking hazard
- wastetrash, garbage, rubbish, refuse, debris
- pollutantspollutants, pollutant, toxin, toxins, heavy metals
- corruptorscorruptor, briber, manipulator, deceiver, tempter
- pestsants, ant, bugs, cockroach, cockroaches
contaminantpurifier
Contamination removal device
purity · cleanser · filter · decontaminant · cleanliness
contaminantantidote
Substance neutralizing harmful agents
remedy · cure · restorative · neutralizer · counteragent
contaminantantidote
Substance neutralizing harmful agents
remedy · curative · nutrient · supplement · restorative
- contaminated waterImpure liquid with pathogens
- bacterial contaminationHarmful microbes present
- oil contaminationHarmful petroleum in environment
- lead contaminationToxic heavy metal presence
- water contaminationHarmful substances in drinking supply
- cross contaminationTransfer of harmful substances
contaminated, contaminate, contamination, uncontaminated, decontaminate, contaminating, contaminates, decontaminated, contaminants