as in pollutants
something that is or that makes impure
a filter to remove contaminants from the drinking water
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Recent Examples of contaminants
The money was part of a $9 billion investment to help communities manage water contaminated with PFAS and other contaminants.
—
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
The podcast discussed a number of discredited ideas, including that mRNA vaccines may contain harmful DNA contaminants.
—Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 16 May 2026
The act also would have shifted oversight of safety and testing from the Marijuana Enforcement Division to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and funded a program in which regulators would randomly collect marijuana products from dispensaries to test them for contaminants.
—Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 15 May 2026
Sneezing forcefully expels mucus and airborne debris; reflexive blinking may help shield the eyes from contaminants moving upward across the face.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
California officials announced two everyday air contaminants — acrolein and ethylene oxide — may be over 10 times more carcinogenic than benzene, posing unacceptable cancer risks to the state’s residents.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Even the companies testing for contaminants do not use consistent methods.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Brita’s Elite filter adds lead reduction and some emerging contaminants but still doesn’t address PFAS.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Researchers are using high-pressure processing techniques to extract the compound while removing contaminants.
—Bri Buckley, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
The podcast discussed a number of discredited ideas, including that mRNA vaccines may contain harmful DNA contaminants.
—Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 16 May 2026
The act also would have shifted oversight of safety and testing from the Marijuana Enforcement Division to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and funded a program in which regulators would randomly collect marijuana products from dispensaries to test them for contaminants.
—Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 15 May 2026
Sneezing forcefully expels mucus and airborne debris; reflexive blinking may help shield the eyes from contaminants moving upward across the face.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
California officials announced two everyday air contaminants — acrolein and ethylene oxide — may be over 10 times more carcinogenic than benzene, posing unacceptable cancer risks to the state’s residents.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Even the companies testing for contaminants do not use consistent methods.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Brita’s Elite filter adds lead reduction and some emerging contaminants but still doesn’t address PFAS.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Researchers are using high-pressure processing techniques to extract the compound while removing contaminants.
—Bri Buckley, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminants
pollutants
Noun
-
Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2022 also found HEPA filtration effective at reducing indoor air pollutants.—
Ryan Brennan
May 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 May 2026
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The update reflects the state’s evolving understanding of its most dangerous pollutants, which has shifted over the decades from visible pollutants, such as smog, to more invisible ones that cause cancer, heart disease and other health harms.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contaminants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminants. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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