Ground measurements are taken of ozone and mercury, two of the greatest pollution threats in the polar regions.

Even today, as pollution threats to health and the environment persist, the government keeps knowledge about the associated risks from the public.

For shipwrecks, particularly post-industrial age shipwrecks, pollution threats from wreck material may need to be investigated and recorded.

Specific pollution threats include acid rain, radioactive contamination, debris in outer space, stratospheric ozone depletion and toxic oil spills.