Any substance that is found in an environment where it does not belong. The term also applies to any substance that can be found naturally in a given setting, but is present at levels higher than normal–enough to cause harm to living organisms. The term environmental contaminant is another way to describe pollution. Examples of man-made contaminants are DDT or toxaphene produced by factories. A substance’s long life and ability to spread over wider areas make industrial contaminants an environmental problem. Contaminants can be found in soil, plants, air, water and animals.