Contamination versus pollution

[ROBINDESBOIS]

Difference?
Contamination is only nuclear or can be also due to exhaust fumes???

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS

Difference?
Contamination is only nuclear or can be also due to exhaust fumes???

Pollution refers to the presence of hazardous or unpleasant things. Contamination refers to the presence of unwanted things, not necesarily unpleasant.

You could say:

The gold was found to be contaminated with a small quantity of silver.

Both pollution and contamination can have a wide application: see Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice when someone objects to an impending marrige: Are the shades of Pemberly to be thus polluted?