environmental hazard
/ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntl ˈhæzərd/ · en·vi·ron·men·tal haz·ard
noun
- A source of potential damage, injury, or adverse effect to the natural environment, such as chemical spills, radiation, or invasive species. The oil spill was classified as a major environmental hazard requiring immediate containment.
Synonyms
ecological riskenvironmental riskpollution threateco‑hazardenvironmental dangergreen hazardeco‑riskenvironmental menace
Antonyms
Did you know? The phrase ‘environmental hazard’ entered U.S. federal policy language with the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act, which required agencies to evaluate such hazards in their impact statements.