From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpollutantpol‧lut‧ant /pəˈluːtənt/ noun [countable] SGa substance that makes air, water, soil etc dangerously dirty, and is caused by cars, factories etcair/environmental/water etc pollutants New regulations will reduce hazardous air pollutants. a dumping ground for toxic pollutantschemical/industrial etc pollutants industrial pollutants in the lake
Examples from the Corpus
pollutant• The Potomac was clean again, a haven for windsurfers, and certain airborne pollutants had fallen sharply.• Although low-sulfur coal produces fewer pollutants, it's more expensive to mine.• Many scientists blame the warming on industrial pollutants that trap infrared heat in the atmosphere rather than letting it escape into space.• All the effects of pollutants need to be considered for both short- and long-term exposure.• The rain is rich in benzene and hydrocarbons, which can be carcinogenic, together with sulphur dioxide and other pollutants.• Herm said, citing projected reductions in auto emissions and some other pollutants.• And some pollutants in the atmosphere act as catalysts, in turn having enormous effects on other components of the atmosphere.• More recent targets are cancer and other illnesses that may be caused by air and water pollutants.chemical/industrial etc pollutants• It contains fewer chemical pollutants, which asthmatics are often allergic to, and so helps to prevent asthma attacks.• Compounding scarcity is the growing problem of water degradation caused by saltwater intrusions, chemical pollutants, and human sewage.• Whilst our cities wheeze from the effects of chemical pollutants there is another form of pollution gathering in the atmosphere.• Many scientists blame the warming on industrial pollutants that trap infrared heat in the atmosphere rather than letting it escape into space.• Coastal cetaceans not only pick up chlorinated hydrocarbons, but also accumulate other industrial pollutants such as heavy metals.• The true effect on wild dolphin populations of prolonged exposure to chemical pollutants is hard to measure.• Chemical kits I believe it should be possible for householders to check their own water supply for various chemical pollutants. 