pollutants
Substances fouling air
Pollutants are substances that contaminate air, water, or soil, making environments harmful or unpleasant.
The term covers industrial chemicals, exhaust emissions, pesticides, plastics, and other materials that degrade natural systems: The factory released pollutants into the river.
A pollutant may be toxic in small amounts or harmless until it accumulates.
Minute airborne solids or droplets
- smogSunlight-activated urban pollution
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- exhaustUse up entirely
- fumesAirborne chemical irritants
smoke · soot · aerosols · dust · ash · vapors · gases · odors
Chemicals destroying harmful organisms
- herbicidesChemicals that destroy unwanted plants
- insecticidesAgents that exterminate bugs
- fungicidesAgents that destroy molds
- fertilizersSubstances enriching soil
manure · glyphosate · DDT · agrochemicals · slurry · animal waste · soil contamination · algal bloom
Toxic chlorinated organic compounds
- PCBsBanned synthetic toxins
- phthalatesPlastic-softening chemical compounds
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
- benzeneAromatic hydrocarbon solvent
chlorofluorocarbons · hydrocarbons · nitrates · sulfates · heavy metals · lead · mercury · cadmium
Discharged liquid waste
- runoffExcess water drainage
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
oil spill · leachate · sediment · stormwater · pharmaceuticals · detergents · heavy metals · marine debris
Pollutants released during manufacturing
- smokestacksTall industrial exhaust pipes
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- fly ashCaptured coal combustion powder
- slagIndustrial metalworking byproduct
tailings · asbestos · sulfur dioxide · nitrogen oxides · coal ash
Causes cancer
- mutagenicCausing permanent DNA changes
- teratogenicCausing fetal malformations
- neurotoxicDamaging to nervous system
- poisonousCapable of causing death
lethal · noxious · hazardous · bioaccumulative · persistent · cytotoxic · hepatotoxic · nephrotoxic
particulates
Minute airborne solids or droplets
fumes · smoke · soot · aerosols · dust · ash · vapors · gases · odors · haze
pesticides
Chemicals destroying harmful organisms
- herbicidesChemicals that destroy unwanted plants
- insecticidesAgents that exterminate bugs
- fungicidesAgents that destroy molds
fertilizers · manure · glyphosate · DDT · agrochemicals · slurry · animal waste · soil contamination · algal bloom
dioxins
Toxic chlorinated organic compounds
- PCBsBanned synthetic toxins
- phthalatesPlastic-softening chemical compounds
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
benzene · chlorofluorocarbons · hydrocarbons · nitrates · sulfates · heavy metals · lead · mercury · cadmium · arsenic
effluent
Discharged liquid waste
- runoffExcess water drainage
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
microplastics · oil spill · leachate · sediment · stormwater · pharmaceuticals · detergents · heavy metals · marine debris · bilge water
factory emissions
Pollutants released during manufacturing
- smokestacksTall industrial exhaust pipes
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- fly ashCaptured coal combustion powder
slag · tailings · asbestos · sulfur dioxide · nitrogen oxides · coal ash
carcinogenic
Causes cancer
- mutagenicCausing permanent DNA changes
- teratogenicCausing fetal malformations
- neurotoxicDamaging to nervous system
poisonous · lethal · noxious · hazardous · bioaccumulative · persistent · cytotoxic · hepatotoxic · nephrotoxic · toxic waste
pathogens
Disease-causing microorganisms
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- moldForm-giving container
spores · fungi · parasites · microbes · E. coli · algae · cyanobacteria · airborne pathogens · giardia · cryptosporidium
- Contaminantsheavy metals, toxin, pesticides, carcinogen, herbicides
- Industrial Pollutantstoxic waste, hazardous waste, chemical waste, emissions, dioxins
- bioaccumulationbiomagnification, bioaccumulation, POPs, heavy metals, methylmercury
- EPA regulationsClean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Superfund, emissions limits, hazardous waste
- Water RegulationClean Water Act, EPA, wastewater, effluent, contaminants
- air pollutionsmog, emissions, soot, carbon monoxide, ozone
pollutantspurifiers
Things that cleanse substances
decontaminants · carbon sinks · nutrients · cleansers · neutralizers
pollutantsnutrients
Vital dietary substances
fertilizers · oxygen · probiotics · compost · organic matter
- 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