Substances that cause pollution are referred to as pollutants, while the substances that lead to contamination are known as contaminants. Pollution is of a great threat to the ecosystem, and it leads to much more damage and mortality; whereas, contamination does not lead to much damage and claiming of lives.
For example, pollution kills aquatic inhabitants, while contamination poses very little or no threat to aquatic lives. Pollution is an occurrence that exists in a larger area than contamination. The popular types of pollution include water, air, and pollution, while contamination has no such influence on that large area or habitats.
In addition, man is the real source of all kinds of pollution, while contamination is not always brought about by man, but substances that are already present in animal wastes, soil, and water. More serious attention is given to regulation in monitoring pollutions in society, unlike contamination.