Emission is defined as which term?

• A. The movement of contaminants through environmental media
• B. The release or discharge of material from a source
• C. The point of contact with contaminated medium
• D. The contact of contaminants with the skin

Answer: (B)

Emission means the release or discharge of material from a source into the environment. This focuses on the act of substances leaving their source, such as gases venting from a stack or a chemical spill entering air or water. It’s not about how contaminants move once released (that would be transport or dispersion), nor about the moment a contaminated medium is contacted or a person’s skin exposure. Emissions are the actual emission event, often described by mass per time (like kilograms per hour).