pollutant
Ecosystem-damaging substance
A pollutant is a substance that contaminates air, water, soil, or other environments.
Industrial processes release pollutants like sulfur dioxide and heavy metals.
Plastics have become major ocean pollutants.
The term usually implies human-caused contamination: The factory was fined for releasing pollutants into the river.
Carbon dioxide is classified as a pollutant when discussing climate regulation.
Agent destroying harmful organisms
- herbicideVegetation-destroying chemical
- fungicideChemical that kills mold
- carcinogenCancer-promoting agent
- mutagenAgent causing genetic change
dioxin · PCBs · asbestos · benzene · formaldehyde · DDT · PFAS · solvent
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- sootCarbon from incomplete burning
- exhaustUse up entirely
carbon monoxide · sulfur dioxide · nitrogen oxides · ozone · greenhouse gases · aerosols · fumes · vapor
Discharged liquid waste
- runoffExcess water drainage
- oil spillPetroleum released into water
- nitratesNitrogen-oxygen salt compounds
- phosphatesSalts of a certain acid
sediment · algae bloom · heavy metals · mercury · lead · cadmium · arsenic · microplastics
Industrial production facility
- refineryIndustrial purification facility
- power plantFacility producing electrical energy
- smokestackIndustrial exhaust column
- tailpipeVehicle's emission outlet
incinerator · landfill · agricultural · mining · drilling · shipping · vehicle · coal-fired
Federal environmental regulator
- emissions standardsLegal limits on pollutants released
- Clean Air ActFederal pollution standards law
- Clean Water ActUS water pollution statute
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
abatement · remediation · compliance · threshold · violation · enforcement · carbon tax · cap-and-trade
pesticide
Agent destroying harmful organisms
- herbicideVegetation-destroying chemical
- fungicideChemical that kills mold
- carcinogenCancer-promoting agent
mutagen · dioxin · PCBs · asbestos · benzene · formaldehyde · DDT · PFAS · solvent · ammonia
smog
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- sootCarbon from incomplete burning
exhaust · carbon monoxide · sulfur dioxide · nitrogen oxides · ozone · greenhouse gases · aerosols · fumes · vapor · haze
effluent
Discharged liquid waste
- runoffExcess water drainage
- oil spillPetroleum released into water
- nitratesNitrogen-oxygen salt compounds
phosphates · sediment · algae bloom · heavy metals · mercury · lead · cadmium · arsenic · microplastics · sewage
factory
Industrial production facility
- refineryIndustrial purification facility
- power plantFacility producing electrical energy
- smokestackIndustrial exhaust column
tailpipe · incinerator · landfill · agricultural · mining · drilling · shipping · vehicle · coal-fired · manufacturing
EPA
Federal environmental regulator
- emissions standardsLegal limits on pollutants released
- Clean Air ActFederal pollution standards law
- Clean Water ActUS water pollution statute
monitoring · abatement · remediation · compliance · threshold · violation · enforcement · carbon tax · cap-and-trade · environmental impact
- Contaminantsheavy metals, toxin, pesticides, carcinogen, herbicides
- dangersdanger, peril, hazard, risk, menace
- hazardsfire hazard, fire hazards, toxin, contamination, tripping hazard
- pollutantscontaminant, contaminants, toxin, toxins, heavy metals
- atmosphereair, humidity, atmosphere, temperature, oxygen
- Substancesmatter, elements, compounds, molecules, atoms
pollutantpurifier
Contamination removal device
cleanser · decontaminant · detoxifier · filter · restorative
pollutantpurity
Uncontaminated quality
cleanliness · immaculateness · pristineness · freshness · sterility
- airborne pollutantsHarmful substances in air
- air pollutantsHarmful atmospheric contaminants
- industrial pollutantsHarmful manufacturing waste
- chemical pollutantsHarmful artificial substances released
- water pollutantHarmful substance in waterways
- environmental pollutantHarmful substance in nature