Contaminants: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when something is made dirty, harmful, or unusable due to the presence of unwanted substances. It can refer to any type of contamination, including chemical, biological, or physical forms.

• The water was tested for contaminants
• The laboratory is working on methods to detect and remove contaminants from the environment

Best used when referring to harmful substances that negatively impact the environment, such as air, water, or soil pollution. Often used in an environmental science context.

• Factories are monitored for emissions of air pollutants
• Measures are being taken to reduce water pollutants in the river

Typically used in contexts where the focus is on the presence of unwanted, foreign elements within a substance that reduce its quality or purity. Often used in industrial, chemical, and food contexts.

• The silver is refined to remove impurities
• The quality of the gasoline is checked for impurities

Used when referring to poisonous substances, typically produced by living organisms, that can cause harm to living beings. Commonly used in medical, health, and biological contexts.

• The bacteria produce toxins that can cause severe illness
• Scientists are studying methods to neutralize these toxins