extent of contamination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extent of contamination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the level or degree of pollution or harmful substances present in a particular area or material. Example: "The extent of contamination in the water supply has raised serious health concerns among the local population."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Public health protection from environmental contaminants requires an understanding of the extent of contamination and of the extent of exposure to the contamination.

Environmental Health Perspectives

In self-subtraction, it is the complexity of contaminating sequence, rather than its abundance, that may determine the extent of contamination in the final library.

BMC Genomics

The simulated RDX and TNT contaminant plumes, shown in Figure 2, represent the extent of contamination in the shallow aquifer at the end of 2002.

Environmental Systems Research

In determining the extent of contamination, investigators should include coverage of areas along an anticipated contaminant pathway, i.e., those associated with air movement or dust collection, as well as activities that result in re-aerosolization or cross-contamination.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Senator Lieberman faulted both the health department and the Postal Service for not revealing the extent of contamination to workers.

The New York Times

The full extent of contamination of the local aquifer, groundwater and residential wells is still being assessed.

The Washington Post

This element indicates that the lateral extent of contamination is mainly controlled by hydraulics.

Science of The Total Environment

Critics of the laboratory also continue to assert that the full extent of contamination on and off the laboratory property has yet to be uncovered.

The New York Times

Ms. Post defended the conservation department, saying, "To have an effective plan we need to know the nature and extent of contamination".

The New York Times

Meanwhile, cleanup technology has been developed to a point that assessments of the extent of contamination can be made and the cost of cleanup reduced to a number.

The New York Times

It plans to spend $700,000 next year on a more extensive survey to define the "nature and extent of contamination" in the park, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental impact, clearly define the specific contaminant and the affected area to provide a precise understanding of the "extent of contamination".

Common error

Avoid vague statements about contamination. Always strive to quantify the "extent of contamination" using measurable data, such as concentration levels or affected area size, to provide a clear and actionable understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extent of contamination" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition. It's used to describe the scope or degree to which an area or substance is polluted or impure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extent of contamination" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe the scope or degree to which an area or substance is polluted. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, the phrase plays an informative role, often highlighting environmental or health concerns. When using this phrase, clarity and quantification are key, ensuring a precise understanding of the contamination's impact. Alternatives like "level of pollution" or "degree of impurity" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

level of pollution

Replaces "contamination" with "pollution", focusing on environmental harm.

degree of impurity

Uses "impurity" instead of "contamination", highlighting the presence of unwanted substances.

scope of pollution

Emphasizes the range or area affected by the pollution.

magnitude of pollution

Focuses on the size or scale of the pollution problem.

scale of contamination

Highlights the proportional size of the contamination.

reach of the pollutants

Describes how far the pollutants have spread.

severity of the pollution

Indicates the seriousness or intensity of the pollution.

depth of the contamination

Focuses on how deeply the contamination has penetrated.

spread of contaminants

Highlights the dispersion and distribution of contaminants.

contamination footprint

Uses a more metaphorical term to describe the area affected by contamination.

FAQs

How to use "extent of contamination" in a sentence?

You can use "extent of contamination" to describe the degree to which a substance or area is polluted or impure. For example: "The study aimed to determine the "extent of contamination" in the local water supply."

What can I say instead of "extent of contamination"?

You can use alternatives like "level of pollution", "degree of impurity", or "scope of pollution" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "extent of contamination" or "level of contamination"?

Both ""extent of contamination"" and "level of contamination" are correct and usable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Extent" often refers to the area or scope, while "level" refers to the concentration or intensity.

What's the difference between "extent of contamination" and "degree of contamination"?

"Extent of contamination" generally refers to the area or scope affected, while "degree of contamination" refers to the intensity or severity of the contamination.