Description

Environmental contaminants are chemicals that enter the environment through human activities or natural processes. These stable chemicals can persist and enter the food chain, whether manufactured for industrial use or naturally occurring but mobilized by industry. Contaminants reach the environment via direct dumping, piped outflows, channeled waste streams, runoff, and soil percolation. Nonpoint sources, such as urban runoff, agricultural lots, soil erosion, and atmospheric deposition, significantly contribute to air, water, and soil pollution. Contaminants originate from industrial and commercial facilities, spills, nonpoint sources, and wastewater systems. Many sites have been contaminated for decades, affecting the environment and health. This book discusses the types, sources, and effects of environmental contaminants.