What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contamination
Example
The water supply was contaminated with bacteria. [contaminated: past participle]
Example
The food was recalled due to contamination with salmonella. [contamination: noun]
pollution
Example
Air pollution is a major problem in many cities around the world. [pollution: noun]
Example
The company was fined for polluting the river with toxic waste. [polluting: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pollution is a more commonly used word than contamination in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of environmental issues and impacts. However, contamination is still an important term in fields such as public health and food safety.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contamination and pollution?
Both contamination and pollution are formal words that are commonly used in scientific, technical, and academic contexts. However, pollution is also used in everyday language and media reporting on environmental issues.
