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CFC Any of a class of organic compounds in which

the hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon are
replaced with those of chlorine and fluorine;
formerly used as refrigerants and aerosol can
propellants.

acid rain Rain which is unusually acidic (pH of less than

the natural range of 5 to 6); caused mainly by
atmospheric pollution.

aerosol A gaseous or airborne cloud of particulate

matter, either as a solid, liquid, or gas, which
forces another substance out of a spray can.

agrochemicals Chemicals including pesticides and fungicides

that are used in agricultural production.

air The atmospheric substance above the surface

of the earth which animals breathe.

atmosphere The layer of gases surrounding the earth; or

the air in a particular place.

capsize To overturn and sink (as in a boat, ship, yacht

or other water-based vessel).

cause 1. To set off an event or action.

2. The source of, or reason for, an event or
action; that which produces or effects a result.

civilisation An organised culture encompassing many

communities, often on the scale of a nation or
a people; a stage or system of social, political
or technical development.

coal A black rock formed from prehistoric plant

remains, composed largely of carbon and
burned as a fuel.

contaminate To introduce impurities or foreign matter to.

corrosive Destroying or undermining something

gradually.

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culprit The person or thing at fault for a problem or

crime.

danger Risk; potential harm; a threat (of damage,

injury, devastation).

depend on To rely on (something or someone).

detergent Any non-soap cleaning agent.

dioxide Any oxide containing two oxygen atoms in

each molecule.

disposal Getting rid of something.

dissolve To disintegrate chemically into a solution by

immersion into a liquid or gas.

dump To release, especially in large quantities and

chaotic manner.

emission The act of sending out, releasing, discharging,

dispersing or throwing out, typically into the air
or atmosphere.

emit To send out or give off; to release or discharge.

face To confront; to meet a difficult situation.

fertiliser Substance that is used to make the ground

more suitable for growing plants.

fire The fireplace/hearth where fuels are burned for

heating (or cooking) purposes.

foam A lightweight form of rubber or plastic.

fossil fuel Any fuel derived from hydrocarbon deposits

such as coal, petroleum, natural gas.

fume A gas or vapour that smells strongly or is

dangerous to inhale.

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furniture Large movable item(s), usually in a room,

which enhance(s) the room's characteristics,
functionally or decoratively.

heating A system that raises the temperature of a room

or building.

hydrocarbon A compound consisting only of carbon and

hydrogen atoms (the main components of
petroleum or natural gas).

industry Economic activity concerned with the

processing of raw materials and
manufacturing of goods.

issue A point in debate or controversy on which the

parties take affirmative and negative positions.

lead A heavy, pliable, inelastic metal element,

having a bright, bluish color, but easily
tarnished.

leak 1. A crack, crevice, fissure, or hole which

admits water or other fluid, or lets it escape.
2. To allow fluid to escape or enter something
that should be sealed.

litter Collectively, items discarded on the ground,

typically empty cans/bottles, papers, wrappers,
and other rubbish).

nature The natural world: plants, animals, landscapes

and other features of the natural environment.

oil Petroleum- based liquid used as fuel or

lubricant.

overpopulation A situation which occurs when the number of

occupants of an area exceeds the ability of that
area to provide for those occupants.

ozone layer A layer in the earth's stratosphere containing

ozone, which absorbs most of the ultraviolet
radiation reaching the earth from the sun.

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pesticide A substance, usually synthetic although

sometimes biological, used to kill or contain
the activities of pests.

planet A large body which directly orbits any star (or

star cluster).

poisonous Containing a substance that is toxic to the

organism and which, if strong and present
enough, can be deadly.

pollute To make something harmful, especially by the

addition of some unwanted product.

pollution The act of polluting or the state of being

polluted, especially the contamination of the
environment by harmful substances.

power station An industrial complex where electricity is

produced.

refrigerator A household appliance used for keeping food

fresh and cool/cold.

residue Whatever remains after something else has

been removed.

responsible for Answerable for an act performed or for its

consequences; accountable.

river A large and often winding stream which drains

a land mass, carrying water down from higher
areas to a lower point, ending at an ocean or in
an inland sea.

sea A large body of salty water.

serious Really intending what is said; being in earnest;

not jesting or deceiving; meaningful.

society The people of one’s country or community

taken as a whole.

split into To divide; to separate.

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spray 1. The act of dispersing a liquid over

something.
2. To project a liquid in a dispersive manner.

sulphur A chemical element (symbol S) with an atomic

number of 16.

sulphuric Of, or relating to sulfur, especially in its higher

oxidation state.

supertanker An extremely large tanker ship.

threat An expression of intent to injure or punish

another.

threaten To state an intention to take hostile action

against someone.

throwaway society A society in which the cultural norm is to

consume, discard and replace material goods
in a constant cycle.

toxic Having a chemical nature that is harmful to

health or lethal if consumed or otherwise
entering into the body in sufficient quantities.

toxicity Degree to which a toxic substance may harm a

cell or organism.

traffic The vehicles on roads, or the flow or movement

thereof.

waste 1. Excess of material, useless by- products or

damaged, unsaleable products; garbage;
rubbish.
2. To squander; to use carelessly or without
purpose; to fail to make good use of
something.

water The colourless, odourless liquid found in seas,

lakes, rivers etc. that falls to earth as rain.

© ALTISSIA 2019