Talking about Pollution: English Vocabulary List

a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of substances contained in waste materials

"The hospital uses an incinerator to burn medical waste safely."

"An incinerator is a high-temperature furnace designed to combust waste materials into ash"

a risk to human health or to the environment caused by a biological source, especially microorganisms

"The lab handles biohazard materials with extreme care and safety."

"A biohazard is any biological substance that poses a threat to human health"

the semi-solid residue produced during sewage or wastewater treatment

"The factory dumped toxic sludge into the river for many years."

"Environmental groups are concerned about the harmful sludge being released into the local waterways."

the waste water and other liquid waste from homes, businesses, and factories, usually carried away through pipes and treated

"The sewage from the city flows into a treatment plant for cleaning."

"Sewage is waste water and excrement conveyed in underground pipes from homes and industries to a central facility for purification before it is safely released back into the environment."

liquid waste or sewage discharged into rivers, lakes, or the sea

"The factory effluent polluted the river and killed all the fish."

"Effluent is liquid waste discharged from a sewage treatment plant or industrial process into a natural water body"

a black powdery substance produced by burning materials like wood or coal

"The chimney was black with soot."

"The chimney was full of black soot which the sweep carefully removed with a long brush."

waste or debris produced by the disintegration or decomposition of organic or inorganic matter

"The beach was littered with detritus from the big storm."

"The detritus from the decaying leaves formed a rich layer on the forest floor."

a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles dispersed in a gas

"The aerosol spray contains chemicals that can damage the ozone layer."

"The spray can released a fine aerosol of paint particles that hung in the air for a few seconds before settling on the surface of the table."

a small, discrete particle or substance, especially one suspended in air, such as dust, pollen, or soot

"The air was full of fine particulate from the forest fire."

"Particulate matter is a complex mixture of microscopic solid and liquid droplets suspended in air"

a device in a vehicle's exhaust system that reduces the emission of harmful pollutants by promoting chemical reactions that convert them into less harmful substances

"The catalytic converter reduces harmful gases from the car's exhaust."

"The mechanic replaced the car's catalytic converter because a broken one was causing the vehicle to fail its emissions test at the inspection station."

airborne particles, such as dust or debris, that settle after a nuclear explosion or similar event

"Radioactive fallout from the nuclear test spread over many miles."

"The radioactive fallout from the nuclear accident contaminated the soil and water for many miles around the damaged power plant."

a protective garment worn by workers to safeguard against exposure to hazardous substances or environments

"The firefighters wore a hazmat suit to enter the chemical spill."

"A hazmat suit is a full-body protective garment impermeable to hazardous substances"

a durable and lightweight plastic widely used for making bottles and food containers due to its strength and recyclability

"Polyethylene terephthalate makes plastic bottles."

"Polyethylene terephthalate is widely recycled and can be turned into clothing and new packaging."

not containing lead

"I need unleaded gasoline."

"The gas station attendant asked whether the customer wanted regular unleaded or premium gasoline for his brand new sports car."

a soft greyish substance that is resistant to fire and heat and was previously used in the buildings, clothing, etc.

"Asbestos was once used in buildings but is now banned as dangerous."

"Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral once prized for its fire resistance"