Contamination

Contamination is the presence of an unwanted substance or impurity in a material, environment, or system, which may reduce quality or cause harm. It is distinct from pollution in that contamination refers to an undesired constituent within a given context, whereas pollution often implies widespread or harmful environmental effects.

Common contexts include environmental contamination (air, water, soil), food and drink contamination, medical and laboratory contamination, and industrial or manufacturing contamination.

Sources and pathways: accidental introduction during production, processing, storage, or handling; leakage or seepage from waste, pipelines, or equipment; improper disposal; cross-contamination between products; or natural processes that concentrate contaminants.

Health and ecological impacts: exposure to contaminants can cause acute illness or long-term health effects; certain contaminants affect ecosystems, disrupting organisms and processes. Vulnerable groups include children, pregnant individuals, and those with high exposure.

Detection and regulation: monitoring programs, sampling, and analytic methods identify contaminants and quantify levels. Regulatory frameworks set permissible limits for drinking water, food, air, and workplace environments to manage risk.

Prevention and remediation: approaches include good manufacturing and farming practices, hygiene and sanitation, segregation and containment, treatment and filtration, and remediation strategies such as soil washing, bioremediation, and proper waste management.

The term is used across science, industry, environmental management, and public health.