toxic waste

[ tok-sik weyst ]

noun

1. any hazardous waste that, when consumed or otherwise absorbed into the body, is harmful or fatal to people or other living organisms:

   Toxic waste containing lead and mercury had leached into their drinking water, and the number of poisoned residents was staggering.

toxic waste

1. A general term used to refer to chemical compounds produced by industry which, if they are ingested or breathed in by humans, can cause physiological damage. The disposal of toxic wastes is a major environmental problem in the United States.

Word History and Origins

Origin of toxic waste¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The dam collapse released toxic waste and mud, which flooded nearby towns, rivers and forests.

From BBC

“This settlement brings accountability that helps to protect our environment from toxic waste,” San Diego Dist.

From Los Angeles Times

When it burst, it unleashed tens of millions of cubic metres of toxic waste and mud.

From BBC

In June, the Pasadena lab, run by EPA’s Division of Toxic Substances Control to analyze toxic waste in soils and water, began pesticide testing on oil-based vapes before being certified to do so.

From Los Angeles Times

The EPA’s Brownfields Program started in 1995 to remove toxic waste from blighted properties to get the land ready for new uses.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• poison
• pollution