harmful substance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harmful substance" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe any material or element that can cause harm or negative effects to living beings or the environment. Examples of usage include: - The company was fined for releasing harmful substances into the river, causing damage to the aquatic life. - It is important to properly dispose of household chemicals and other harmful substances to protect the environment. - The packaging of this product contains harmful substances that can be harmful if ingested. - The government is implementing stricter regulations for industries that produce harmful substances.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This wide range of broader harms has resulted in alcohol being deemed the most harmful substance in the United Kingdom 12. Concern about alcohol-related harm is not new.

Addiction

Trans fats also raise blood levels of triglycerides and another harmful substance, lipoprotein-a.

The New York Times - Health

Understand grains do contain a harmful substance called gluten, how about Quinoa?

Harvard University

A fourth man, Erick Limmer, 26, was convicted of being an accessory to manslaughter, mixing a harmful substance in a drink, delivery of marijuana and possession of GHB.

The New York Times

But Grace was fighting such battles monthly, former company officials said, and state and federal officials began pushing for disclosure of any amount of a harmful substance.

The New York Times

Prosecutors have charged Dr. Roozrokh with felony counts of dependent adult abuse, mingling a harmful substance (Betadine) and prescribing a controlled substance (morphine and Ativan) without medical purpose.

The New York Times

In the case that you've ingested a harmful substance, the National Poison Control Center hotline is a resource that's confidential and offers non-emergency or emergency assistance.

Columbia University

The design and fabrication of novel filter is a promising approach to realize the reduction of harmful substance in mainstream cigarette smoke.

Reactive and Functional Polymers

The discarded gypsum wallboards (drywalls) dumped at landfills, release hydrogen sulfide gas, a harmful substance, to the atmosphere along with the leachate at the landfill.

Construction and Building Materials

Michael Jacobson, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, calls salt "the single most harmful substance in our food".

The New York Times

The following year he contributed to a paper that came to the conclusion that alcohol was a more harmful substance than cannabis, LSD or Ecstasy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "harmful substances", be specific about the type of harm they cause (e.g., carcinogenic, neurotoxic) for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "harmful substance" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying 'the product contains a "harmful substance"', specify the substance and its known effects to provide more informative and actionable information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful substance" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. It identifies a specific entity that possesses the quality of being harmful. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

55%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harmful substance" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote materials that can cause harm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed across various domains, including science, news, and general discussions about safety. While versatile, it's best practice to specify the nature of the harm for clarity. Synonyms such as "toxic material" or "hazardous material" can be used depending on the specific connotation desired. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though its presence is most commonly observed in scientific literature and news reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hazardous material

Stresses the potential danger and risk associated with the substance.

toxic material

Focuses specifically on the poisonous nature of the substance.

poisonous element

Specifically indicates the substance's ability to cause death or illness through chemical action.

noxious agent

Highlights the unpleasant or offensive quality of the substance.

injurious element

Focuses on the capacity of the substance to cause physical harm or damage.

adverse agent

Emphasizes the negative or unfavorable effect of the substance.

deleterious component

Emphasizes the damaging effect of the substance as part of a larger system.

detrimental compound

Highlights the damaging or unfavorable impact of the substance, often in a chemical context.

unhealthy ingredient

Suggests a negative impact on health, particularly in the context of food or consumables.

contaminant

Implies the substance pollutes or makes something impure.

FAQs

How can I use "harmful substance" in a sentence?

You can use "harmful substance" to describe materials that pose a threat to health or the environment. For example, "The factory was fined for releasing a "harmful substance" into the river".

What are some synonyms for "harmful substance"?

Alternatives to "harmful substance" include "toxic material", "hazardous material", or "noxious agent", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "harmful substance" in formal writing?

Yes, "harmful substance" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and direct way to refer to substances that cause harm. You may also consider more specific terms depending on the context.

What's the difference between "harmful substance" and "hazardous waste"?

"Harmful substance" refers to any substance capable of causing harm, while "hazardous waste" specifically refers to waste materials that pose substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. Waste requires disposal.