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Pollutants: meaning, definitions and examples

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pollutants

 

[pəˈluː.tənts ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

environmental

Substances that contaminate the air, water, or soil and have harmful effects on living organisms.

Synonyms

contaminants, impurities, toxins.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pollutants

Used to describe harmful substances introduced into the environment. Commonly mentioned in discussions about air and water quality.

  • Factories have been identified as major sources of air pollutants.
contaminants

Refers to any substances that make something dirty or harmful. Often used in the context of food safety, water purity, and industrial processes.

  • The water test revealed several contaminants, including heavy metals.
  • It's important to remove any contaminants from the machinery before use.
toxins

Specifically refers to poisons produced by living organisms (like plants, animals, and bacteria) that can cause disease or harm. Often mentioned in medical and biological contexts.

  • The snake's bite releases toxins that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
impurities

Usually refers to unwanted substances within a material that are not necessarily harmful. Commonly used in chemistry, manufacturing, and natural resource processing.

  • The sugar needs to be refined to remove impurities.

Examples of usage

  • Factories release pollutants into the atmosphere.
  • The pollutants from the chemical spill affected the local wildlife.
  • Reducing pollutants is essential for protecting the environment.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'pollutere,' meaning 'to make filthy.' This reflects the harmful nature of pollutants.
  • The suffix '-ant' indicates an agent or something that performs an action, showing that pollutants actively damage the environment.

Environmental Science

  • Pollutants can come from natural sources like wildfires, or human-made sources like factories and cars.
  • Air pollutants can lead to health problems, including respiratory issues and heart disease, affecting millions globally.
  • Water pollution affects fish and other wildlife, and can also contaminate drinking supplies, posing a risk to human health.

Health Impact

  • Pollutants are responsible for over 4 million premature deaths worldwide due to air quality issues.
  • Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of pollutants, which can lead to developmental problems and asthma.
  • Long-term exposure to certain pollutants is linked to increased risks of cancer and neurological disorders.

Regulations and Solutions

  • Many countries have laws regulating pollutants, aimed at reducing emissions from industries and vehicles.
  • Innovations in technology, like electric cars and renewable energy sources, are actively reducing the number of pollutants in the environment.
  • Environmental organizations campaign to raise awareness and motivate people to reduce pollution in their daily lives.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In art, pollution is often depicted to raise awareness about environmental degradation, influencing public perception.
  • Literature often uses pollutants as symbols of modernity’s impact on nature and discusses themes of sustainability and human responsibility.

Translations

Translations of the word "pollutants" in other languages:

🇵🇹 poluentes

🇮🇳 प्रदूषक

🇩🇪 Schadstoffe

🇮🇩 polutan

🇺🇦 забруднювачі

🇵🇱 zanieczyszczenia

🇯🇵 汚染物質

🇫🇷 polluants

🇪🇸 contaminantes

🇹🇷 kirleticiler

🇰🇷 오염 물질

🇸🇦 ملوثات

🇨🇿 znečišťující látky

🇸🇰 znečisťujúce látky

🇨🇳 污染物

🇸🇮 onesnaževalci

🇮🇸 mengunarefni

🇰🇿 ластаушылар

🇬🇪 დამაბინძურებლები

🇦🇿 çirkləndiricilər

🇲🇽 contaminantes

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,812 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.