Contaminant

Contaminant is any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance or matter that has an adverse effect on air, water or soil. Contaminants can be naturally occurring or man-made and can be harmful to human health or the environment.

Types of Contaminants

Contaminants can be classified into four main types: physical, chemical, biological and radiological.

Physical Contaminants

Physical contaminants primarily impact the physical appearance or other physical properties of water. Examples of physical contaminants are sediment or organic material suspended in the water of lakes, rivers and streams from soil erosion.

Chemical Contaminants

Chemical contaminants are elements or compounds. These contaminants may be naturally occurring or man-made. Examples of chemical contaminants include nitrogen, bleach, salts, pesticides, metals, toxins produced by bacteria, and human or animal drugs.

Biological Contaminants

Biological contaminants are organisms in water. They are also referred to as microbes or microbiological contaminants. Examples of biological or microbiological contaminants include bacteria, viruses, protozoan, and parasites.

Radiological Contaminants

Radiological contaminants are chemical elements with an unbalanced number of protons and neutrons resulting in unstable atoms that can emit ionizing radiation. Examples of radiological contaminants include cesium, plutonium and uranium.

Health Effects

Exposure to contaminants can lead to a range of health effects, from mild effects such as skin irritation or nausea, to severe effects such as cancer, birth defects, or death.

Prevention and Control

Prevention and control of contaminants is a key aspect of environmental health. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, including regulation and monitoring, treatment processes, and public education.

See Also

• Pollution
• Environmental Health
• Water Quality
• Air Quality
• Soil Contamination

Contaminant Resources
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