List of Pollutants

Below is a summary of most common air, water and soil pollutants.

Air Pollutants

• Sulfur dioxide
• Nitrogen oxides
• Ammonia
• Carbon monoxide
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Ozone
• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
• Airborne particles
• Toxic metals
• Radioactive pollutants

Water Pollutants (1)

Organic water pollutants:

• Insecticides and herbicides, a range of organohalide
• Bacteria from livestock operations
• Food processing waste incl. pathogens
• Tree debris from logging operations
• VOCs including solvents and hydrocarbons
• Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) such as chlorinated solvents
• Detergents and chemical compounds found in cosmetics products

Inorganic water pollutants:

• Heavy metals
• Acidity caused by industrial discharges such as sulfur dioxide by power plants
• Chemical waste
• Fertilizers from agricultural use
• Silt from construction sites, logging, slash and burn operation

Soil Pollutants (Contaminants) (2)

• Hydrocarbons
• Solvents
• Pesticides
• Lead and other heavy metals

Last update: April 2008