Contaminaties

Contaminaties are substances, energy, or biological agents that are not intended to be present in a material, product, or environment. Their presence can compromise safety, quality, or performance. Contaminaties are classified by type into chemical, biological, radiological, and physical categories, and by source or pathway.

Chemical contaminants include solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, and additives at inappropriate levels. Biological contaminants include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Radiological contaminants are radioactive materials. Physical contaminants include shards of glass, metal fragments, or other foreign materials introduced during processing or handling.

Sources of contamination can include industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, contaminated equipment, improper cleaning, packaging leaks, or contaminated raw materials. In practice, concerns about contaminaties span sectors such as food safety, healthcare, manufacturing, and the environment. In food handling, cross-contamination refers to the transfer of pathogens or allergens between items. In healthcare, contamination of sterile fields poses infection risks and requires aseptic technique and sterilization. In the environment, contamination can affect air, water, and soil quality and may require remediation.

Detection relies on sampling, laboratory analysis, and ongoing monitoring technologies. Prevention and control emphasize design and supplier controls, rigorous cleaning and sanitation, proper storage and handling, containment, and decontamination. Regulatory frameworks establish permissible limits and testing requirements to protect public health and environmental quality.