Climate & Environment
Pollution
Definition
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants — chemical substances, waste, noise, heat, light or radiation — into air, water, soil or organisms at concentrations or intensities that cause adverse effects on human health, living systems, materials or environmental quality. Responses span abatement (reducing ongoing releases), end-of-pipe control (capturing pollutants before release), prevention (avoiding generation at source) and remediation of legacy contamination.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Pollution” is defined and used.
Source imported for editorial provenance.
Overview
How it is used
The term anchors environmental law (permitting, emission limits), health burden estimates, corporate impact reporting (e. g. , pollution-related disclosures in ESRS E2) and the planetary boundaries framework's novel-entities boundary.
Why it matters
Pollution is where economic activity most directly damages health and ecosystems; its management defines much of environmental policy and an increasing share of corporate accountability.