'pollution-causing' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound of 'pollution' and 'causing'. 'pollution' ultimately comes from Latin 'pollutio' (from 'polluere' meaning 'to defile' or 'to soil'), and 'causing' is formed from the verb 'cause' (from Latin 'causa' via Old French).

'pollution' passed into English via Old French/Medieval Latin (Latin 'pollutio' → Old French/Medieval usage → Middle English 'pollucioun'/'pollucyon') and developed into modern 'pollution'; 'cause' came from Latin 'causa' through Old French 'cause' into Middle English and produced the present participle 'causing', which together formed the modern compound 'pollution-causing'.

Initially, 'pollution' referred broadly to 'defilement' or 'soiling'; over time it narrowed to contamination of the natural environment, so the compound now specifically means 'bringing about environmental contamination.'