toxicity
Degree of harm
Toxicity is the quality of being poisonous or harmful to living organisms.
In its literal sense, it refers to the degree to which a substance can damage cells, tissues, or bodily systems: The toxicity of the chemical was measured in laboratory rats.
The word has expanded dramatically in popular usage to describe harmful interpersonal dynamics, environments, or behaviors: The toxicity in that workplace drove everyone to quit.
Someone displaying toxic traits—manipulation, negativity, emotional abuse—contributes to toxicity in relationships or communities.
Destroys by chemical action
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- acidLow-pH chemical compound
- alkaliAcid-neutralizing ionic compound
- sulfuricOf a strong acid
hydrochloric · nitric · lye · reactive · pH · oxidizer · solvent · irritant
Causing or capable of death
- antidoteSubstance neutralizing harmful agents
- arsenicToxic metalloid element
- cyanideToxic carbon-nitrogen compound
- strychnineHighly toxic plant alkaloid
ricin · hemlock · belladonna · overdose · ingestion · venom · botulism · poisoning
Disease-causing microorganism
- venomInjected animal poison
- endotoxinBacterial wall toxin
- bacterialOf or from germs
- viralSpreading quickly online
sepsis · infection · antivenom · envenomation · zoonotic · prion · biohazard · biosafety
Cancer-promoting agent
- mutagenAgent causing genetic change
- teratogenDevelopmental toxin
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- asbestosFibrous fireproofing mineral
warning · danger · caution · harmful · exposure · risk · safety · PPE
Cruel or violent treatment
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
hostility · aggression · antagonism · intimidation · coercion · vindictiveness · spitefulness · malevolence
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- runoffExcess water drainage
lead · mercury · cadmium · pesticides · herbicides · bioaccumulation · biomagnification · groundwater
Prejudice based on ethnicity
- misogynyHostility toward women
- bigotryIntolerance toward differing views
- hate-speechLanguage attacking identity groups
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
xenophobia · homophobia · prejudice · dogpiling · pile-on · polarization · radicalization · extremism
corrosive
Destroys by chemical action
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- acidLow-pH chemical compound
- alkaliAcid-neutralizing ionic compound
sulfuric · hydrochloric · nitric · lye · reactive · pH · oxidizer · solvent · irritant · hazmat
lethal
Causing or capable of death
- antidoteSubstance neutralizing harmful agents
- arsenicToxic metalloid element
- cyanideToxic carbon-nitrogen compound
strychnine · ricin · hemlock · belladonna · overdose · ingestion · venom · botulism · poisoning · dose-response
pathogen
Disease-causing microorganism
viral · sepsis · infection · antivenom · envenomation · zoonotic · prion · biohazard · biosafety · virulence
carcinogen
Cancer-promoting agent
- mutagenAgent causing genetic change
- teratogenDevelopmental toxin
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
asbestos · warning · danger · caution · harmful · exposure · risk · safety · PPE · threshold
abuse
Cruel or violent treatment
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
gaslighting · hostility · aggression · antagonism · intimidation · coercion · vindictiveness · spitefulness · malevolence · narcissism
pollution
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- emissionsSubstances released into air
runoff · lead · mercury · cadmium · pesticides · herbicides · bioaccumulation · biomagnification · groundwater · leaching
racism
Prejudice based on ethnicity
- misogynyHostility toward women
- bigotryIntolerance toward differing views
- hate-speechLanguage attacking identity groups
discrimination · xenophobia · homophobia · prejudice · dogpiling · pile-on · polarization · radicalization · extremism · dehumanization
- drug researchdrug discovery, drug testing, drug screening, drug approval, clinical trials
- Environmental MetricspH level, turbidity, COD, dissolved oxygen, carbon footprint
- sludge propertiesmoisture content, water content, organic content, viscosity, pH level
- toxic effectslead poisoning, mercury poisoning, arsenic poisoning, acute poisoning, pesticide poisoning
- dangersdanger, peril, hazard, risk, menace
- filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
toxicityharmlessness
Inability to cause damage
safety · benignity · nontoxicity · innocuousness · beneficence
toxicityhealthiness
State of being well
supportiveness · positivity · nurturing · wholesomeness · sanctuary
toxicitypurity
Uncontaminated quality
cleanliness · wholesomeness · pristineness · environmental health · sterility
- lead toxicityPoisoning from element 82
- chemical toxicityHarmful effects from substances
- oxygen toxicityHarm from excess O2
- liver toxicityDamage to hepatic tissue