pollutant
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pollutant
A substance that is harmful to the environment, humans, or animals. Pollutants can occur in the air, water, or soil and lead to health problems or ecological damage.
Die neue Verordnung soll den Ausstoß von Schadstoffen durch Autos weiter reduzieren.
The new regulation is intended to further reduce the emission of pollutants by cars.
The word is composed of 'Schaden' (damage/harm) and 'Stoff' (substance/material). A 'Schadstoff' (pollutant) is therefore literally a 'substance that causes harm.'
Industrieanlagen müssen ihre Schadstoffe filtern.
Industrial plants have to filter their pollutants.
Although the singular exists, the word is very often used in the plural, 'Schadstoffe' (pollutants). This is because people are usually talking about a mixture of various harmful substances.
Die Schadstoffe in der Luft können Atemwegserkrankungen verursachen.
The pollutants in the air can cause respiratory diseases.
In environmental and health contexts, 'Schadstoff' (pollutant) is often combined with certain verbs. Typical phrases are 'Schadstoffe ausstoßen' (to emit pollutants), 'Schadstoffe reduzieren' (to reduce pollutants), or 'Schadstoffe freisetzen' (to release pollutants).
Moderne Autos stoßen weniger Schadstoffe aus als alte Modelle.
Modern cars emit fewer pollutants than old models.
poison
'das Gift' and 'der Schadstoff' both refer to substances that can cause harm. 'Gift' sounds stronger and usually means a substance that can be very dangerous or even deadly to a living body if it is taken in. 'Schadstoff' is often used in connection with the environment, air, water, soil, or materials. A 'Schadstoff' is harmful, but it does not always mean a directly deadly poison. The words can be confused because some pollutants are also poisonous. For acute danger to humans or animals, 'Gift' fits better; for environmental pollution or harmful substances in the surroundings, 'Schadstoff' is more appropriate.
Nach dem Brand wurden Schadstoffe in der Luft gemessen.
After the fire, pollutants were measured in the air.
Im Keller steht eine Flasche mit Gift gegen Ratten.
There is a bottle of rat poison in the basement.