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Pollutant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pollutant

[pษ™หˆluห.tษ™nt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

air quality

A substance that pollutes the air, water, or soil, especially one produced by human activities.

Synonyms

contaminant, impurity, toxin.

Examples of usage

  • Air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide can have harmful effects on human health.
  • The factory was fined for releasing pollutants into the river.
  • Pollutants from cars contribute to smog in urban areas.
  • Efforts to reduce pollutants in the environment are crucial for sustainability.
  • Regulations have been put in place to limit the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Environmental Impact

  • Air pollutants like car emissions can cause respiratory diseases and have been linked to climate change.
  • Water pollutants, including plastics and chemicals, harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems.
  • Soil pollutants can affect crop quality, threatening food security and health.

Health Issues

  • Long-term exposure to certain air pollutants increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • Lead, a toxic pollutant, can affect brain development in children, leading to learning difficulties.
  • Indoor pollutants like mold can cause allergies and asthma attacks, especially in sensitive individuals.

Economic Costs

  • Pollution can lead to significant healthcare costs due to illnesses caused by exposure to pollutants.
  • Cleaning up polluted areas often requires large-scale investment from governments or private entities.
  • Manufacturing regulations on pollutants can drive innovation in technology but may increase production costs.

Cultural Perceptions

  • In some cultures, being close to nature and avoiding pollutants is a key aspect of a sustainable lifestyle.
  • Art and literature often highlight the struggle against pollution, emphasizing the need for environmental awareness.
  • Environmental movements have gained cultural significance, advocating for cleaner surroundings and reducing pollutants.

Origin of 'pollutant'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'pollutant' comes from the Latin 'pollutio', meaning 'unclean' or 'dirty'.
  • It combines 'pollute' (to make unclean) with the suffix '-ant', which indicates an agent that causes a specific action.

The term 'pollutant' originated in the mid-20th century, derived from the verb 'pollute'. As industrialization and human activities began to have a significant impact on the environment, the need for a term to describe harmful substances that contaminate the air, water, and soil became apparent. The concept of pollutants and their effects on ecosystems and human health has since become a central focus of environmental science and policy.

See also: pollute, polluted, polluter, polluting, pollution.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,866, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.