contamination

/kən,tæmi'neiʃn/

Thân thiện

The scientist carefully checks the water sample for contamination.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of making something impure or polluted: The process of introducing an unwanted substance or harmful element into something that was clean or pure.
   • A substance that pollutes: The unwanted or harmful substance itself that has been introduced, causing impurity.
   • The state of being impure or polluted: The condition of something after it has been made impure by the presence of a contaminant.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to the act or process:
  • The contamination of the river was caused by industrial waste.
  • Strict protocols are in place to prevent contamination of the laboratory samples.
• Referring to the polluting substance:
  • The test revealed a bacterial contamination in the water supply.
  • The recall was due to a possible metal contamination in the food product.
• Referring to the state or result:
  • The site was closed due to widespread soil contamination.
  • The level of radioactive contamination was dangerously high.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Cross-contamination": The transfer of contaminants from one substance or object to another, especially in contexts like food preparation or scientific work.
  • Using the same cutting board for meat and vegetables can lead to cross-contamination.
• "Contamination fear/concern": Used in psychological or public health contexts to describe anxiety about coming into contact with pollutants or germs.
  • His contamination fear made him wash his hands excessively.

Variants and Related Words

• Contaminate (verb): To make something impure or polluted by contact or mixture.
  • The oil spill contaminated the coastline.
• Contaminant (noun): A specific substance that causes contamination; a pollutant.
  • The filter removes various contaminants from the air.
• Uncontaminated (adjective): Not polluted; pure.
  • They searched for an uncontaminated water source.

Synonyms

• Pollution: The presence of harmful substances in the environment. (Often used on a larger scale.)
• Impurity: A substance that makes something less pure.
• Taint: A trace of a bad or undesirable quality or substance.
• Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues, a specific type of biological contamination.

Antonyms

• Purity: The state of being free from contaminants.
• Decontamination: The process of removing contaminants.
• Sterility: The state of being completely free from microorganisms.

Common Collocations and Phrases

• Environmental contamination: Pollution affecting air, water, or soil.
• Radioactive/chemical/bacterial contamination: Specifying the type of contaminant.
• Source of contamination: The origin point of the pollutant.
• Risk of contamination: The possibility of becoming polluted.
• Contamination control: Measures taken to prevent pollution.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the act of contaminating or polluting; including (either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors
2. a substance that contaminates
3. the state of being contaminated

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pollution
• contaminant
• taint