Contamination Explained

Contamination is the presence of a constituent, impurity, or some other undesirable element that renders something unsuitable, unfit or harmful for physical body, natural environment, workplace, etc.[1] [2] [3]

Types of contamination

Within the sciences, the word "contamination" can take on a variety of subtle differences in meaning, whether the contaminant is a solid or a liquid, as well as the variance of environment the contaminant is found to be in. A contaminant may even be more abstract, as in the case of an unwanted energy source that may interfere with a process. The following represent examples of different types of contamination based on these and other variances.

Chemical contamination

In chemistry, the term "contamination" usually describes a single constituent, but in specialized fields the term can also mean chemical mixtures, even up to the level of cellular materials. All chemicals contain some level of impurity. Contamination may be recognized or not and may become an issue if the impure chemical causes additional chemical reactions when mixed with other chemicals or mixtures. Chemical reactions resulting from the presence of an impurity may at times be beneficial, in which case the label "contaminant" may be replaced with "reactant" or "catalyst." (This may be true even in physical chemistry, where, for example, the introduction of an impurity in an intrinsic semiconductor positively increases conductivity.[4]) If the additional reactions are detrimental, other terms are often applied such as "toxin", "poison", or pollutant, depending on the type of molecule involved.[5] Chemical decontamination of substance can be achieved through decomposition, neutralization, and physical processes, though a clear understanding of the underlying chemistry is required.[6] Contamination of pharmaceutics and therapeutics is notoriously dangerous and creates both perceptual and technical challenges.[7]

Environmental contamination

In environmental chemistry, the term "contamination" is in some cases virtually equivalent to pollution, where the main interest is the harm done on a large scale to humans, organisms, or environments. An environmental contaminant may be chemical in nature, though it may also be a biological (pathogenic bacteria, virus, invasive species) or physical (energy) agent.[8] Environmental monitoring is one mechanism available to scientists to detect contamination activities early before they become too detrimental.

Agricultural contamination

See main article: Biocontainment of genetically modified organisms. Another type of environmental contaminant can be found in the form of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), specifically when they come in contact with organic agriculture. This sort of contamination can result in the decertification of a farm.[9] This sort of contamination can at times be difficult to control, necessitating mechanisms for compensating farmers where there has been contamination by GMOs.[10] A Parliamentary Inquiry in Western Australia considered a range of options for compensating farmers whose farms had been contaminated by GMOs but ultimately settled on recommending no action.[11]

Food, beverage, and pharmaceutical contamination

See main article: Food contaminant and List of medicine contamination incidents. In food chemistry and medicinal chemistry, the term "contamination" is used to describe harmful intrusions, such as the presence of toxins or pathogens in food or pharmaceutical drugs.[12] [13] [14] [15]

Radioactive contamination

In environments where nuclear safety and radiation protection are required, radioactive contamination is a concern. Radioactive substances can appear on surfaces, or within solids, liquids, or gases (including the human body), where their presence is unintended or undesirable, and processes can give rise to their presence in such places.[16] [17] Several examples of radioactive contamination include:

Note that the term "radioactive contamination" may have a connotation that is not intended. The term refers only to the presence of radioactivity and gives no indication itself of the magnitude of the hazard involved. However, radioactivity can be measured as a quantity in a given location or on a surface, or on a unit area of a surface, such as a square meter or centimeter.

Like environmental monitoring, radiation monitoring can be employed to catch contamination-causing activities before much harm.

Interplanetary contamination

Interplanetary contamination occurs when a planetary body is biologically contaminated by a space probe or spacecraft, either deliberately or unintentionally. This can work both on arrival to the foreign planetary body and upon return to Earth.[21]

Contaminated evidence

See main article: Contaminated evidence. In forensic science, evidence can become contaminated. Contamination of fingerprints, hair, skin, or DNA—from first responders or from sources not related to the ongoing investigation, such as family members or friends of the victim who are not suspects—can lead to wrongful convictions, mistrials, or dismissal of evidence.[22] [23]

Contaminated samples

In the biological sciences, accidental introduction of "foreign" material can seriously distort the results of experiments where small samples are used. In cases where the contaminant is a living microorganism, it can often multiply to dominate the sample and render it useless, as in contaminated cell culture lines. A similar affect can be seen in geology, geochemistry, and archaeology, where even a few grains of a material can distort results of sophisticated experiments.[24]

Food contaminant detection method

The conventional food contaminant test methods may be limited by complicated/tedious sample preparing procedure, long testing time, sumptuous instrument, and professional operator.[25] However, some rapid, novel, sensitive, and easy to use and affordable methods were developed including:

See also

Notes and References

  1. 11 April 2019.
  2. Book: Contamination-Free Manufacturing for Semiconductors and Other Precision Products . 1. Introduction . Donovan, R.P. . Donovan, R.P. . CRC Press . 1–3 . 2001 . 9780824703806 . 2019-07-15 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208130126/https://books.google.com/books?id=BW3eae3e9eQC&pg=PA1 . live .
  3. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Hdk_KCSYdVIC&pg=PA20 . 2. Contaminants . Introduction to Contamination Control and Cleanroom Technology . Ramstorp, M. . John Wiley & Sons . 20–26 . 2008 . 9783527613137 . 2019-07-15 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208130127/https://books.google.com/books?id=Hdk_KCSYdVIC&pg=PA20 . live .
  4. Book: Textbook of Physical Chemistry . Moudgil, H.K. . PHI Learning . 278 . 2014 . 9788120350625 . 2019-04-12 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208130129/https://books.google.com/books?id=qWfkBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA278 . live .
  5. Book: Biology: Understanding Life . Alters, S. . Jones & Bartlett Learning . 828 . 2000 . 9780763708375 . 2019-04-12 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208130130/https://books.google.com/books?id=GRDUIbQwGc8C&pg=PA828 . live .
  6. Book: Pharmaceutical Isolators: A Guide to Their Application, Design and Control . Midcalf, B. . Pharmaceutical Press . 88–89 . 2004 . 9780853695738 . 2019-04-12 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208130132/https://books.google.com/books?id=XFaKhSPhoakC&pg=PA239 . live .
  7. Abdin. Ahmad Yaman. Yeboah. Prince. Jacob. Claus. January 2020. Chemical Impurities: An Epistemological Riddle with Serious Side Effects. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. en. 17. 3. 1030. 10.3390/ijerph17031030. 7038150. 32041209. free.
  8. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=pELzLWVn4rwC&pg=PA289 . 6. Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry . Environmental Contaminants: Assessment and Control . Vallero, D.A. . Elsevier . 289–332 . 2010 . 9780080470351 . 2019-04-12 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208130133/https://books.google.com/books?id=pELzLWVn4rwC&pg=PA289 . live .
  9. Editorial: Organic Versus GMO Farming: Contamination, What Contamination? . Journal of Organic Systems . Paull, J. . 9 . 1 . 2–4 . 2014 . 2019-04-12 . 2018-04-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180421122326/http://www.organic-systems.org/journal/91/index.html . live .
  10. Compensation for GMO contamination . International Sustainable Development Research Society Newsletter . Paull, J. . 3 . 2018 . 8 . 2019-04-12 . 2020-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200119055610/https://orgprints.org/33919/ . live .
  11. Paull, John (2019) Contamination of Farms by Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Options for Compensation, Journal of Organics, 6(1):31–46.
  12. Book: Sources of Contamination in Medicinal Products and Medical Devices . Preface . Bohrer, D. . John Wiley & Sons . 2012 . 9781118449059 . 2019-04-12 . 2021-12-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204041514/https://books.google.com/books?id=w-u6D7mbNdcC . live .
  13. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=vL9dAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA497 . Environmental Contaminants . Encyclopedia of Meat Sciences . Rose, M. . Dikeman, M. . Devine, C. . Elsevier . 2nd . 1 . 497–501 . 2014 . 9780123847348 . 2019-04-12 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208130136/https://books.google.com/books?id=vL9dAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA497 . live .
  14. Book: Microbial Food Contamination . Preface: Food—A necessity and a threat . Wilson, C.L. . CRC Press . xi–xvi . 2008 . 9781420008470 . 2019-04-12 . 2021-12-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204041410/https://books.google.com/books?id=zUPgf8NUIXIC . live .
  15. Ogbede, J.U., Giaever, G. & Nislow, C. A genome-wide portrait of pervasive drug contaminants. Sci Rep 11, 12487 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91792-1
  16. Book: IAEA Safety Glossary: Terminology Used in Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection, 2007 Edition . International Atomic Energy Agency . 227 . 2007 . International Atomic Energy Agency . 978-9201007070 . 11 April 2019 . 18 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200118021212/https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1290_web.pdf . live .
  17. Book: Programmes and Systems for Source and Environmental Radiation Monitoring, Safety Reporsts Series No. 64 . International Atomic Energy Agency . 234 . 2010 . International Atomic Energy Agency . 9789201124098 . 11 April 2019 . 24 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191224211121/https://www.iaea.org/publications/8242/programmes-and-systems-for-source-and-environmental-radiation-monitoring . live .
  18. Web site: Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation: IAEA Conference to Start on Monday . Chatzis, I. . International Atomic Energy Agency . 26 July 2017 . 11 April 2019 . 21 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160521130707/https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/decommissioning-and-environmental-remediation-an-overview . live .
  19. Web site: Radiation Protection Guidance for Hospital Staff . Stanford Environmental Health and Safety . 21 . 29 June 2017 . 11 April 2019 . 5 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180305200426/https://ehs.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/sops/Hospital-Guidance-document.pdf . live .
  20. von Wehrden . Henrik . 28 December 2011 . Consequences of nuclear accidents for biodiversity and ecosystem services . Conservation Letters . 5 . 2 . 81–89 . 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00217.x . 83193558 . Society of Conservation Biology. free .
  21. Planetary protection—A microbial ethics approach . Space Policy . Cockell, C.S. . 21 . 4 . 287–292 . 2005 . 10.1016/j.spacepol.2005.08.003. 2005SpPol..21..287C .
  22. Book: Introduction to Forensic DNA Evidence for Criminal Justice Professionals . Taupin, J.M. . CRC Press . 134–8 . 2013 . 9781439899090 . 2019-04-12 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208130140/https://books.google.com/books?id=dw2xqTVgyPsC&pg=PA134 . live .
  23. Web site: How DNA Contamination Can Affect Court Cases . Geddes, L. . New Scientist . 11 January 2012 . 11 April 2019 . 12 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160412235503/https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21328475-000-how-dna-contamination-can-affect-court-cases/ . live .
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