pollution
Toxic environmental degradation
Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or contaminants into an environment.
Air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution degrade natural systems and threaten health.
The term extends to non-material contamination: noise pollution, light pollution.
Figuratively, pollution suggests moral or spiritual corruption: the pollution of young minds by violent media.
To pollute is to contaminate or defile.
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- hazeMurky atmospheric suspension
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- exhaustUse up entirely
ozone · sulfur dioxide · nitrogen oxides · carbon monoxide · particulate matter · air quality · inversion · visibility
Discharged liquid waste
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
- runoffExcess water drainage
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
algal bloom · eutrophication · leachate · discharge · oil spill · microplastics · groundwater · turbidity
Emissions that trap heat
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- emissionsSubstances released into air
climate change · ozone depletion · fossil fuels · carbon footprint · acid rain · sea level rise · Paris Agreement · Kyoto Protocol
Cancer-promoting agent
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
- herbicidesChemicals that destroy unwanted plants
- dioxinsToxic chlorinated organic compounds
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
asbestos · lead · radioactive · neurotoxic · mutagenic · chemicals · PCBs · DDT
Waste burial ground
- garbageDiscarded waste material
- litterScattered waste or debris
- dumpingDisposing carelessly or abruptly
- trashDiscarded worthless material
debris · rubbish · refuse · junk · scrap · disposal · incineration · sanitation
Decline in condition
- biodiversity lossReduction in species variety
- habitat destructionEliminating natural living spaces
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- soil contaminationToxins degrading ground quality
erosion · desertification · coral bleaching · ecological damage · brownfield · remediation · restoration · conservation
Acoustic intensity units
- trafficMovement along routes
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- industrialOf factories and production
- constructionProcess of building something
hearing loss · acoustic · urban noise · noise ordinance · soundproofing · disturbance · ambient noise
State of being unprotected
- respiratory illnessSickness affecting breathing organs
- asthmaChronic lung inflammation
- cancer riskChance of malignancy developing
- lung diseaseIllness of breathing organs
allergies · birth defects · chronic illness · environmental justice · epidemiology · public health · morbidity · toxicology
Urban illumination obscuring stars
- glareFierce stare or brightness
- artificial lightNon-solar brightness source
smog
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- hazeMurky atmospheric suspension
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- emissionsSubstances released into air
exhaust · ozone · sulfur dioxide · nitrogen oxides · carbon monoxide · particulate matter · air quality · inversion · visibility · respiratory
effluent
Discharged liquid waste
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
- runoffExcess water drainage
contamination · algal bloom · eutrophication · leachate · discharge · oil spill · microplastics · groundwater · turbidity · mercury
greenhouse gases
Emissions that trap heat
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
emissions · climate change · ozone depletion · fossil fuels · carbon footprint · acid rain · sea level rise · Paris Agreement · Kyoto Protocol · COP
carcinogen
Cancer-promoting agent
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
- herbicidesChemicals that destroy unwanted plants
- dioxinsToxic chlorinated organic compounds
heavy metals · asbestos · lead · radioactive · neurotoxic · mutagenic · chemicals · PCBs · DDT · bioaccumulation
landfill
Waste burial ground
- garbageDiscarded waste material
- litterScattered waste or debris
- dumpingDisposing carelessly or abruptly
trash · debris · rubbish · refuse · junk · scrap · disposal · incineration · sanitation · recycling
degradation
Decline in condition
- biodiversity lossReduction in species variety
- habitat destructionEliminating natural living spaces
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
soil contamination · erosion · desertification · coral bleaching · ecological damage · brownfield · remediation · restoration · conservation
decibels
Acoustic intensity units
- trafficMovement along routes
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- industrialOf factories and production
construction · hearing loss · acoustic · urban noise · noise ordinance · soundproofing · disturbance · ambient noise
exposure
State of being unprotected
- respiratory illnessSickness affecting breathing organs
- asthmaChronic lung inflammation
- cancer riskChance of malignancy developing
lung disease · allergies · birth defects · chronic illness · environmental justice · epidemiology · public health · morbidity · toxicology · risk assessment
skyglow
Urban illumination obscuring stars
- glareFierce stare or brightness
- artificial lightNon-solar brightness source
- environmentecology, clean air, biosphere, air quality, climate
- environmental harmoil spills, acid rain, deforestation, climate change, toxic waste
- environmental issuesclimate change, biodiversity loss, global warming, habitat loss, deforestation
- Environmental Topicsconservation, biodiversity, extinction, climate change, habitat loss
- human-environment interactionfarming, fishing, hunting, mining, logging
- causes of damagestress, trauma, neglect, abuse, infection
pollutionpurity
Uncontaminated quality
cleanliness · environmental health · pristine nature · pristineness · pureness
pollutionpurification
Removal of contaminants
decontamination · cleansing · remediation · cleanup · detoxification
- air pollutionToxic atmospheric contamination
- water pollutionHarmful substances in H2O
- noise pollutionHarmful environmental sound
- pollution preventionStopping contaminants at origin
- light pollutionExcessive artificial nighttime brightness
- pollution sourcesOrigins of environmental contamination