Pollutant vs Contaminant
Pollutants and contaminants are both waste or unwanted materials; however, they have distinct differences. The term “contaminant” is used to describe an unwanted constituent or ingredient in a product, while “pollutant” refers to a waste material that can cause pollution in various parts of the environment, such as air, water, or soil.
Key Takeaways
- Contaminants are unwanted portions of specific materials or bodies that can cause contamination in a product, body, or environmental area.
- Pollutants are materials consisting of waste that can cause pollution in different parts of the environment, dependent on their nature, concentration, and duration of existence.
- Pollutants are classified into types such as Stock Pollutants, Fund Pollutants, and Notable Pollutants, while contaminants refer to any kind of pollution caused by an unwanted substance.
The nature of chemicals in a pollutant determines the reactions it can cause and the severity of pollution produced as a result. Some pollutants, such as biodegradable pollutants, cannot survive for long periods in the environment. In contrast, other pollutants can survive for extended periods, causing significant problems.
The primary difference between pollutants and contaminants is their classification. Stock pollutants are quickly degraded, while fund pollutants take time to degrade and can affect parts of the environment. Notable pollutants, such as Organic Pollutants, Metals, and Organic Compounds, can be easily identified.
Contaminant refers to pollution caused by an unwanted substance, whereas pollutant can be introduced into the environment naturally or by humans. Contaminants are often associated with pollution sources created by human activities, such as the production of harmful chemicals by factories. These contaminants can have a long lifespan in the environment and can spread to a large area, causing more problems than pollutants.
Another difference between pollutants and contaminants is their presence in the environment. Pollutants can be found in various forms, such as smoke and chemicals, while contaminants can be found in soil, plants, air, water, and human waste.
