Contaminated is defined as which of the following?

• A. adj. something that is unclean and not safe to use e.g. polluted water
• B. adj. clean and safe to use
• C. adj. safe and hygienic
• D. adj. edible

Answer: (A)

Contaminated means something is unclean and not safe to use because it has unwanted substances, such as pollutants, chemicals, or pathogens. This makes the item unsafe for its intended purpose—like water that is polluted and not drinkable. The other ideas describe things that are clean and safe, or safe and hygienic, or fit to eat; they are the opposite of contaminated. So contaminated is defined by being unclean and unsafe due to the presence of harmful contaminants.