Contamination

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-006373",
  "term": "Contamination",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. The act of polluting or making impure; any indication of chemical, sediment, or biological impurities.\n\n2. The introduction into water of microorganisms, chemicals, toxic substances, wastes, or wastewater in a concentration that makes the water unfit for its next intended use.\n\n3. The tainting of members of the comparison or control group with elements from the program. Contamination threatens the validity of the study because the group is no longer untreated for purposes of comparison.\n\n4. The introduction of harmful or hazardous matter into the environment.\n\n5. Introduction into water, air, and soil of microorganisms, chemicals, toxic substances, wastes, or wastewater in a concentration that makes the medium unfit for its next intended use. Also applies to surfaces of objects, buildings, and various household and agricultural use products.\n\n6. Describes media containing contaminants in any form (e.g., non-aqueous phase liquids, dissolved in water, vapors, solids, etc.) that are subject to cleanup under RCRA and present in concentrations in excess of appropriately protective levels of concern.\n\n7. When radioactive material is deposited on or in an object or person. A contaminated person has radioactive materials on or inside their body.\n\n8. Contact with an admixture of an unnatural agent, with the implication that the amount is measurable. The deposition of unwanted radioactive material on the surfaces of structures, areas, objects, or people. It may also be airborne, external, or internal (inside components or people).",
  "subject": "Policy and guidance",
  "references": [
    "Sediment Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Glossary",
    "Drinking Water Technical & Legal Terms",
    "Program Evaluation Glossary",
    "Superfund for Students and Teachers Glossary",
    "Terms of Environment",
    "RCRA Corrective Action Terms and Acronyms",
    "Radiation Protection Radiation Glossary; RadTown Glossary",
    "RAIS 2004"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/contamination/"
}