pollutants
n. plural-onlyn. harmful substances that make the air, water, or soil dirty and unsafe. These are often chemicals or waste from factories and cars.
n. substances that contaminate the environment, particularly the atmosphere or water supplies, with harmful or poisonous effects.
The factory released harmful pollutants into the river.
Environmental agencies monitor the levels of airborne pollutants to ensure they do not exceed safety limits for public health.
While some pollutants are the result of natural volcanic activity, the vast majority of contemporary environmental degradation stems from industrial byproducts and the combustion of fossil fuels.
Commonly used in the plural to refer to various types of contaminating substances; takes a plural verb.
The smoke is a dangerous pollutants.The smoke is a dangerous pollutant.Learners often use the plural form 'pollutants' when referring to a single source or substance.