Synonyms
Environmental contaminants
Definition
Environmental pollutants are substances coming from mineral and fossil sources or are produced by humans. Pollutants can harm ecosystems , plants and animals and cause health problems in humans. Major air pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide(CO2), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), lead, ozone (O3), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Environmental pollutants are also found indoors. Other forms of pollution are water, soil and radioactive contamination.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer-Verlag
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2008). Environmental Pollutants . In: Kirch, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Public Health. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5614-7_990
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5614-7_990
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-5613-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-5614-7
eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine