Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance causing an impurity in the environment.
(4) introduced material which was either not previously present or was present in lesser amounts. The introduction of contaminants may make something toxic or otherwise unfit for use. Below certain amounts contaminant species (for example, nutrients) may be desirable constituents. Synonymous with the term pollutant.
Any unnatural biological, chemical, physical, or radiological substance or matter contained in water. Tri-chloroethylene (TCE) is a synthetic cleaning solvent sometimes found in groundwater near manufacturing sites.
Anything added to a substance that makes it impure.
a foreign substance (such as chemical, microbial, and plant or mineral particulate matter) found in water. Contaminants may or may not be harmful to human health.
Any foreign substance that interferes with a process or measurement. (Course Material/PenetrantTest/MethodsTech/preparation.htm)
Anything found in water (including microorganisms, minerals, chemicals, radionuclides, etc.) which may be harmful to human health.
An impurity or foreign substance whose presence on printed circuit assemblies could electrolytically, chemically, or galvanically corrode the system.
The factors which affect the genetic and physical quality of seed such as offtypes, foreign pollen, other crop plants, weed plants, plants affected by designated diseases, weed seeds etc. are referred to as contaminants.
any foreign or unwanted substance
An unwanted airborne constituent that may reduce acceptability of the air.
Any substance or material unintentionally introduced into a medium (air, water, soil, sediment, food) which has the effect of rendering them toxic or otherwise harmful.
Any substance that enters a system (the environment, human body, food, etc.) where it is not normally found. Contaminants are usually referred to in a "negative" sense and include substances that spoil food, pollute the environment or cause other adverse effects.
a substance not naturally present in the environment or present in amounts that can negatively affect the environment.
Any substance that when added to water (or another substance) makes it impure and unfit for consumption or an intended use.
a constituent that can impair the use of water.
something added to water to make it impure. See our Clean Water & Your Health section for more information.
1. Minor impurity in a substance. 2. Extraneous material added to a sample prior to or during chemical or biological analysis. 3. Unintended pesticide residue in an agricultural commodity or environmental compartment (e.g. ground water). See also pollutant.
something that makes water or other substances impure or unfit for use
A chemical that taints or corrupts soil, water, food, or air, thus making it impure. [compare to toxicant and toxin and pesticide.
harmful or hazardous matter introduced into the environment
An impurity in water, soil, materials, etc.
An impurity or foreign substance whose presence on an assembly could electrolytically, chemically, or galvanically corrode the system.
an impurity in the environment that may be toxic to sensitive organisms
Any chemical that exists in the environment or living organisms that is not normally found there.
An undesirable liquid or solid material on a walkway surface. Contaminants pose slip and trip hazards.
Any biological, chemical or physical agent, in food or on a food-contact surface that might be detrimental to food safety.
Usually pesticides or other toxins. Contaminants enter the environment via the disposal of municipal wastes, factory discharges or oil/chemical spills.
a foreign substance, inadvertently added to a coating
Any impurity or substance that pollutes another; an agent of contamination accidently or inadvertantly introduced into food, water, soil, or air, that may or may not be harmful or potentially poisonous.
An undesirable substance that pollutes the quality of the air.
a substance that contaminates
a substance found in a place where it should not be
a substance or compound that has the potential to be toxic
a substance that inadvertently occurs in a pest control product, such as a byproduct of a production process
Any foreign component in a substance, for example in water.
introduced species, substance or material which was either not previously present or was present in a lesser amount, and that may have a harmful effect on the environment
An impurity or foreign substance that affects one or more properties of composite material, particularly adhesion.
(pollutant) any substance that makes water unfit for a given use
Undesirable element, usually in the electrolyte, which reduced the capability of the cell. In vented cells, contaminants can be introduced by use of tap water or operation without vent cap.
an agent that makes a substance impure or by contact or mixture
Any substance in a refrigeration system that is foreign to the system, particularly if it causes damage.
An undesirable substance from uranium-ore processing activities that may affect human health and the environment.
A chemical or biological substance in a form that can be incorporated into, onto, or be ingested by and that harms aquatic organisms, consumers of aquatic organisms, or users of the aquatic environment. A contaminant that causes actual harm is sometimes referred to as a pollutant. (See Pollutant.)
any substance which, if introduced into a potable water source, would render the water unsafe for human or animal consumption.
Any biological, chemical, physical or radiological substance that has an negative effect on air, soil or water.
Substance - usually undesirable - in another substance, product or space where it is not normally found, e.g. environmental pollutants
A substance, liquid or solid, which is present in a break. Contaminants must be removed from a break before a repair can begin.
a substance that creates impurity or uncleanliness by contact or mixture.
a foreign, undesirable chemical or biological substance introduced into the environment
Contaminant means any chemical, material, substance or waste: (a) Which is regulated under any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation; (b) Which is classified as hazardous or toxic under federal, state or local law or regulation; or (c) To which exposure is regulated under federal, state or local law or regulation. Also: any substance that is inadvertently introduced to the environment (or to other media) that has the potential to have undesirable effects; an impurity.
Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance in the air, soil or water that has an adverse effect. Any chemical substance with a concentration that exceeds background levels or which is not naturally occurring in the environment.
A substance that has an adverse impact on the recyclability of a material, the quality of compost or a negative impact on environmental or natural resources.
Any physical, chemical, biological, or radioactive substance that can adversely affect air, water or soil.
A foreign agent or material that is not introduced as part of processing, such as airborne particulates or adventitious organisms.
Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in air, water, or soil that can have adverse health effects.
An impurity or additive which affects characteristics of a material or surface.
An irritating or potentially harmful material (gas, vapor, or particulate) which is foreign to the normal atmosphere.
An impurity or foreign matter present in a bonded assembly which affects its usefulness.
Any substance or material that enters a system where it is not normally found, or that is found in greater concentrations than background levels.
In water and sediment, it is a chemical or biological substance in a form that can be incorporated into, onto, or be ingested by and that harms aquatic organisms, consumers of aquatic organisms, or users of the aquatic environment.
any man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical or biological integrity of soils, sediments, air and surface water or groundwater including, but not limited to, such alterations caused by any hazardous substance (as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 USC § 9601(14)), hazardous waste (as defined in 9 VAC 20-60-10), solid waste (as defined in 9 VAC 20-80-10), petroleum (as defined in Articles 9 (§ 62.1-44.34:8 et seq.) and 11 (§ 62.1-44.34:14 et seq.)) of the Virginia State Water Control Law, or natural gas. [Source: Virginia Voluntary Remediation Regulations, 9 VAC 20-160-10
A harmful, irritating or nuisance material that is foreign to the natural atmosphere.
Any substance or material that enters a system (the environment, human body, food, etc.) where it is not normally found.
Any unwanted substance present in or on a material or any surface within a clean zone.
a substance that is present in a certain amount of soil, water, air, food, blood, hair, urine, breath, or any other media.
Any substance or property preventing the use or reducing the usability of the water for ordinary purposes such as drinking, preparing food, bathing washing, recreation, and cooling. Any solute or cause of change in physical properties that renders water unfit for a given use. (Generally considered synonymous with pollutant). Back to the Top
Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in the water, in quantities considered to threaten health
Any substance of material that enters a system (the environment, human body, food, etc.) where it is normally not found.
Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter that has an adverse effect on air, water, or soil. correlative rights Water rights where all users of water on an irrigation canal or an acequia have the same priority date of use and there is only one point of diversion for a common ditch or canal. cubic meter 264 U.S. gallons or 219.82 Imperial gallons
Material of one type that is an impurity for another type of material. For example, metal is a contaminant in plastic recycling.
A chemical that degrades the natural quality of substance or media.
Any material of substance which is unwanted or adversely affects the fluid power system or components, or both.
Any substance, whether natural or manmade, that degrades an environmental source. In some cases, this makes it unfit or unsafe for typical use.
A harmful, irritating, or nuisance agent that is foreign to the normal atmosphere.
1 : an unwanted substance present in the cleanroom or on the product. [SEMATECH] Also see dirt and particulate in gallium arsenide technology, surface feature that cannot be removed by the preinspection (nonetching) cleaning. [SEMI M10-90
Any substance or impurity in water including gases, minerals and organic materials in dissolved or suspended particles form. Undesirable insoluble solid or gelatinous particles present in a fluid.
unwanted material. Physical contaminants of compost include glass, plastic, and stones, and chemical contaminants include trace heavy metals and toxic compounds.
A substance that is not naturally present in the environment or is present in unnatural concentrations that can, in sufficient concentration, adversely alter an environment. Federal regulations (40 CFR 230) for the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters regulated by Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act define a contaminant as a chemical or biological substance in a form that can be incorporated into, onto, or be ingested by and that harms aquatic organisms, consumers of aquatic organisms, or users of the aquatic environment.
Any substance or material in a system (the environment, the human body, food, etc.) where it is not normally found; or, a substance in a system where it is naturally occurring , but found in an unusually high concentration.
A substance that is either present in an environment where it does not belong or is present at levels that might cause harmful (adverse) health effects.
an unwanted microorganism and/or foreign matter.
a substance that when mixed with another substance makes it impure.
An undesired component in a pure gas or gas mixture.
A material added by humans or natural activities that may, in sufficient concentrations, render the environment unacceptable for biota. The mere presence of these materials is not necessarily harmful (USFWS).
An impurity not intended to be present in the product that may be introduced through such things as poor cleaning, processing, lack of appropriate environmental and personnel controls during the manufacturing process, handling and distribution
any undesirable substance in food, water or air Cost-benefit analysis an evaluation of the relative costs and benefits of an action or behaviour DNA (deoxy- ribonucleic acid) the substance which carries the genetic information in most cells; it carries codes for the building of proteins which control the development and metabolism of organisms
any substance, chemical, or micro-organism that makes a medium (water) less suitable for a specific purpose.
as relating to the environmental industry; means; any hazardous substance that does not occur naturally, or occurs at greater than natural background levels.
An undesirable chemical or biological substance that is not normally present in groundwater, or a naturally occurring substance present in unusually high concentrations. Common contaminants include bacteria and viruses, petroleum products, chlorinated substances, pesticides, nitrates and salt.
a substance, chemical, or microorganism that makes a medium (water) impure, infected, radioactive, or lower in quality.
Any unwanted and detrimental addition to a product of formulation. Often biological, including the growth of microorganisms, but can be any unwanted substance. Particularly serious can be heavy metals or pesticides. These can be avoided by using great care in the handling of products.
substance which negatively affects the purity of water, air, etc
In water, any substance other than hydrogen and oxygen. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines for three different classes of contaminants. Aesthetic-effect contaminants (substances) are harmless particles that add colour or smell to water, or make it cloudy. Cosmetic-effect contaminants (substances) may cause skin or tooth discolouration. Health-effect contaminants may cause health problems in humans, either acute (short-term) effects such as cramps or diarrhea, or chronic (long-term) effects such as cancer. Microbiological contaminants tend to cause acute effects.
material harmful to recycling process when included with recyclable material
An organism such as bacteria, yeast, mold, fungi, or any other unwanted substance that may find its way into a product.
Contaminant includes any substance (including gases, liquids, solids, and micro-organisms) or energy (excluding noise) or heat, that either by itself or in combination with the same, similar, or other substances, energy, or heat---(a) When discharged into water, changes or is likely to change the physical, chemical, or biological condition of water; or(b) When discharged onto or into land or into air, changes or is likely to change the physical, chemical, or biological condition of the land or air onto or into which it is discharged.
A potentially harmful physical, biological, chemical or radiological substance.
Any natural or man-made physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water, which is at a level that may have an adverse effect on public health, and which is known or anticipated to occur in public water systems.
1. Any undesirable physical, chemical, or microbiological substance or matter in a given water source or supply. Anything in water which is not H2O may be considered a contaminant.
A harmful or irritant material, or nuisance dust, foreign to the normal composition of a substance, or a material that varies the normal proportions of components in a mixture such as air.
A pesticide or other toxic material found as a residue in or on a substance where it is not wanted. The attempt to prevent the spreading of contamination by holding it in, enclosing, encapsulating, or by controlling it. A toxic substance that is potentially harmful to people, animals, and the environment. A substance not in pure form.
foreign material lending impurity to a primary material, physical contaminants of compost include glass and plastic, chemical contaminants include heavy metals and toxic organic compounds.
An unwanted constituent that may or may not be associated with adverse health or comfort effects.
Unwanted airborne substance that can be a health hazard or can create visibility problems within the industrial environment.
Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance not normally present or found at unusually high concentrations in water or soil.
Unwanted chemicals and other materials in the air.