Contaminant vs Filth - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between contaminant and filth

is that contaminant is that which contaminates; an impurity; foreign matter while filth is dirt; foul matter; that which soils or defiles.

(en noun)

That which contaminates; an impurity; foreign matter.

Keep the lid on the jar to keep contaminants out.

----

(-)

dirt; foul matter; that which soils or defiles

smut; that which sullies or defiles the moral character; corruption; pollution

* Tillotson

to purify the soul from the dross and filth of sensual delights

(British, pejorative, slang) the police

weeds growing on pasture land

Grampa remembers when he had to cut filth with a scythe.

* filthy