contaminants
Unwanted foreign substances
Contaminants are substances that make something impure or unsafe.
The term typically appears in contexts of environmental or health concern: The water supply tested positive for contaminants, industrial contaminants in the soil.
Food, air, water, and blood can all harbor contaminants.
The word implies unwanted presence rather than deliberate addition.
Substances promoting tumor growth
- neurotoxinsPoisons targeting nervous systems
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- mercuryLiquid metallic element
arsenic · asbestos · pesticides · biotoxins · mutagens · teratogens · aflatoxins · PCBs
Substances released into air
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- smogSunlight-activated urban pollution
- dioxinsToxic chlorinated organic compounds
heavy metals · nitrates · phosphates · runoff · sewage · industrial waste · oil spill · plastic debris
Substances that debase purity
- foreign matterMaterial out of place
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- residueMatter left behind
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
sludge · particulates · trace elements · inclusions · precipitates · turbidity · organic matter · microorganisms
Remove unwanted substances
- filterPorous separation device
- screenDisplay or barrier
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- reverse osmosisPressure-driven membrane filtration
activated carbon · deionization · distillation · clarify · water treatment · purification · remediation · chlorination
carcinogens
Substances promoting tumor growth
- neurotoxinsPoisons targeting nervous systems
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
mercury · arsenic · asbestos · pesticides · biotoxins · mutagens · teratogens · aflatoxins · PCBs · benzene
emissions
Substances released into air
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- smogSunlight-activated urban pollution
dioxins · heavy metals · nitrates · phosphates · runoff · sewage · industrial waste · oil spill · plastic debris · sulfur dioxide
adulterants
Substances that debase purity
- foreign matterMaterial out of place
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- residueMatter left behind
sediment · sludge · particulates · trace elements · inclusions · precipitates · turbidity · organic matter · microorganisms · rust
purify
Remove unwanted substances
reverse osmosis · activated carbon · deionization · distillation · clarify · water treatment · purification · remediation · chlorination · ozonation
- cosmetics regulationproduct safety, safety testing, cosmetic ingredients, ingredient labeling, product labeling
- environmental scienceecology, air quality, ecosystem, water quality, ecosystems
- pollutionair pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, smog, toxic waste
- inediblesplastic, metal, glass, rock, rocks
- Tap Watertap water, drinking fountains, faucet, faucets, water supply
- Air Qualityair filters, air testing, air purifiers, emissions, pollutants
contaminantspurifiers
Things that cleanse substances
cleansers · decontaminants · sanitizers · disinfectants · clarifiers
- water contaminantsHarmful substances in drinking supply
- airborne contaminantsHarmful substances floating in air