Contamination
Overview of contamination in various contexts
Contamination[edit | edit source]
Contamination refers to the presence of an unwanted constituent, impurity, or infectious agent in a material, physical body, natural environment, workplace, etc. It can occur in various forms and contexts, including biological, chemical, and physical contamination.
Types of Contamination[edit | edit source]
Biological Contamination[edit | edit source]
Biological contamination involves the presence of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. This type of contamination is common in food safety, water supply, and healthcare settings. For example, contamination on an agar plate can indicate the presence of unwanted microbial growth.
Chemical Contamination[edit | edit source]
Chemical contamination occurs when harmful chemicals are present in the environment or in products. This can include pesticides in food, heavy metals in water, or toxic substances in the air. Chemical contamination can pose significant health risks to humans and the ecosystem.
Physical Contamination[edit | edit source]
Physical contamination involves the presence of foreign objects in a product or environment. This can include metal shavings in food, plastic fragments in water, or dust particles in cleanrooms. Physical contaminants can cause injury or compromise the quality of products.
Sources of Contamination[edit | edit source]
Contamination can originate from various sources, including:
Prevention and Control[edit | edit source]
Preventing and controlling contamination involves implementing measures such as:
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
- Environmental monitoring
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Regular cleaning and sanitation
Impact of Contamination[edit | edit source]
Contamination can have significant impacts on health, safety, and the environment. It can lead to:
Related pages[edit | edit source]
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