Pollutants

Classification with Examples

References

Organic

Halogenated

Pesticides

BHC, DDT, and derivatives (dicofol, DFDT, etc.), cyclo-

dienes (endosulfan, heptachlor, chlordane, aldrin, dieldrin,

endrin, etc.), others (mirex, toxaphene)

Solvents

DCM, chloroform, etc.

Other

PCBs, dioxins, hexachlorobenzene, PAHs, CFCs, HFCs,

HCFCs, etc.

Non-halogenated

Non-halogenated

Petroleum hydrocarbons, dimethyl phthalate, explosives

hydrocarbons

(nitroaromatic explosive), and solvents viz. BTX (ben-

zene, toluene, xylene), etc.

Inorganic

Metal/metalloids

Mostly heavy

As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Se, pesticides (Hg, Cu, As, etc.) and

metals and toxic

fertilizers (micronutrient based), and salts

agrochemicals

Non-metals

Toxic non-metals

Cyanides, ammonium, sulfur, salts, etc.

Radioactive

Am, Be, 32P, 14C, 15N, 59Fe, 3H, 238U, 232Th, and 210Po, etc.

Biological

This category of pollutants includes bacteria, viruses, molds, mildew, animal dander and cat saliva, house

dust, mites, cockroaches, and pollen.

UNEP (2015)

–

–

Mondal et al.

(2019)

Masindi &

Muedi (2018)

Fuller (1977)

Gulan et al.

(2017)

UNEP (2015)

8

TABLE 1.1 Classification of Pollutants Present in the Environment

Biology and Biotechnology of Environmental Stress Tolerance in Plants, Volume 3