Contamination or Pollution?
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They are essentially the same thing so how we use them is what sets them apart.
You POLLUTE the environment in general: water sources, the land, and the air. You can also say CONTAMINATE in these cases, though it is rarely used in this context and some even consider it a bit archaic.
You CONTAMINATE when you make something impure as when you introduce a foreign element into something else that has remained untouched up to that point. Therefore, the scope of CONTAMINATION is not as large as that of POLLUTION and is often used to refer to small environments such as labs or kitchens where there are products so susceptible of losing purity that even with a small quantity they would be rendered useless.
This query was suggested by Fernando Toala, a colleague of mine. Thanks, Fernando!
This query was suggested by Fernando Toala, a colleague of mine. Thanks, Fernando!
Comments
Interesting!
I have always had my doubt about the difference in the use of these two words, but thanks to this information I understand much better the use between contamination and pollution.
Thanks,now I can differentiate between pollution and contamination. I have always used the word "pollution".
I've never though about it but it helps to increase our vocabulary and be ready when we become teachers.