Abstract

A short overview of the most toxic compounds is given. These compounds are very important from an environmental point of view as they threaten the environment and have several harmful effects. The overview applies the following classifications: (1) petroleum hydrocarbons, (2) PCBs and dioxins, (3) pesticides, (4) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), (5) heavy metals, (6) detergents, (7) synthetic polymers and xenobiotics applied in the plastics industry. The most important environmental effects of these seven classes of compounds and their chemical characteristics are presented in this overview.