Abstract
The paper discusses the problems of environmental pollution with harmful chemicals and their adverse effects on ecosystem components. The main sources of harmful chemicals discharged into the atmosphere air, soil and water basins are specified. Potential threats of toxic organic compounds, heavy metals, radionuclides, as well as exhaust gases to both the natural environment and living organisms are examined. In addition, the results of the author’s researches in the fields of environmental pollution in the territories exposed to various anthropogenic sources and effective methods to prevent their negative environmental impact are presented.