Clear Writing Hub - Environmental Health Thesaurus

A

Abatement

Tip

Remember to contextualize this word based on the implications of the specific environmental exposure (e.g., lead, asbestos, etc.). Consumers may hear this word from contractors, so it may be useful to teach it.

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Depending on context, use "taking out," "removing" or "sealing up."

Explain

Experts can also seal up or remove lead paint so it won't harm you. This is called abatement.

Absorb

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Depending on context, use "soak up," "take in," or "go/get into."

Explain

Example: An expert will do tests to see how much radiation went into the soil.

Acceptable daily intake (ADI) (also called tolerable daily intake)

Tip

Try to avoid this term. If it's necessary to use, teach it.

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A reference dose estimates how much of a substance is not likely to harm people who are exposed every day for a lifetime.

Explain

The acceptable daily intake is the amount of a substance is not likely to harm people who are exposed every day for a lifetime.

Acute exposure

Tip

You may be able to avoid this term, but it may also be useful to teach it.

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Depending on context, consider "short-term contact" or "coming in contact with high levels of [substance] for a short period of time."

Explain

With some harmful substances, even short-term contact can be dangerous. This is called acute exposure.

Additive effect

Tip

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N/A

Explain

If you come in contact with more than one harmful substance, they can make you sick in different ways. This is called the additive effect.

Aeration

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Depending on context, consider, "adding air to" or "treating with air."

Explain

Experts can use air to treat water and remove harmful substances. This process is called aeration.

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B

Biomarkers

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Consider "signs," as well as writing specifically about how it is being evaluated (i.e., checking hair, blood, or urine).

Explain

Example: Your doctor can check your blood for signs of exposure.

Biomedical testing

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "testing" or "tests."

Explain

Example: If you have symptoms, your doctor might run tests to see if contact with cadmium could have caused them.

Biomonitoring

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "testing" or "tests."

Explain

Example: To check for signs of harmful substances in your body, experts may test your hair, blood, or breath.

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C

Cancer cluster

Tip

Try to avoid it. It may alarm readers.

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N/A

Explain

Example: A group of people living near a waste site may have higher rates of some cancers than average.

Cancer risk level

Tip

Try to avoid this term; can rephrase to make meaning more clear to consumers.

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Depending on context, use "risk of causing cancer" or "how likely a substance is to cause cancer."

Explain

Example: Experts can tell you how likely a substance is to cause cancer.

Capillary sample

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "blood sample."

Explain

Example: For the test, your doctor will prick your skin to get a blood sample.

Carcinogenic

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "can cause cancer" or" cancer-causing."

Explain

Example: Plutonium can cause cancer.

Case control study

Tip

Only use this term if it's important to include technical information about methodology.

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Depending on context, use "study" or "research."

Explain

Experts may run a study comparing people who have a disease with people who don't. It's a way of finding out if a harmful substance could be the cause. This is called a case control study.

Case report

Tip

Consider avoiding this term unless it's necessary to clarify a classification of document.

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Depending on context, use "report."

Explain

Experts may write a report about one person's health condition and past contact with certain substances. It's called a case report.

Case series

Tip

Consider avoiding this term unless it's necessary to clarify a classification of document.

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Use "reports," "research," or "studies."

Explain

Experts may review a group of case reports with information about a similar health condition or substance. It's called a case series.

Chelation

Tip

You may able to avoid this, but it may also be useful to teach it.

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Use "treatment" or "using a medicine"

Explain

If your child has lead poisoning, your doctor may use a medicine to get the lead out of her body. This is called chelation.

Chronic exposure

Tip

You may be able to avoid this term, but it may also be useful to teach it. It may also be necessary to get specific about the dose (e.g., low, moderate, high levels).

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Depending on context, consider "long-term contact" or "regular contact."

Explain

Some people have daily contact with a substance for a long time, either at work or home. This is called chronic exposure.

Cohort study

Tip

Only use this term if it's important to include technical information about methodology.

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Consider "study" or "research."

Explain

One type of study might compare a group of people with the same disease with a group who don't have it. It's called a cohort study.

Cumulative

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Consider "combined," "total," or "added up."

Explain

Example: Even contact with small amounts of a harmful substance can be dangerous because it can add up in your body over time.

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D

Data

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "facts" or "information."

Explain

Example: Researchers will collect information about your health and your contact with harmful substances.

Delayed health effect

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Rephrase to be more specific: "health problems that happen [length of time] after contact."

Explain

Example: Some people get health problems months or years after contact with a harmful substance.

Department of Energy (DOE)

Tip

Consider introducing acronym at first mention so it may be used throughout the rest of the document.

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N/A

Explain

The Department of Energy works to protect our energy supply.

Dermal contact

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "skin contact." Or try rephrasing: "touches your skin" or "gets on your skin."

Explain

Example: If sodium hydroxide gets on your skin, gently brush it away or soak it up with a towel.

Descriptive study

Tip

Only use this term if it's important to include technical information about methodology.

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Consider "study," "research," or "survey."

Explain

Experts may do a study that describes the current health, attitude, or behavior of a group of people. The study doesn't make predictions or sort out the causes. It's called a descriptive study.

Detection limits

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Consider "lowest level that will show up on a test" or further rephrasing.

Explain

Example: The levels of arsenic were so low that they almost didn't show up on a test.

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E

Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBLL)

Tip

You may able to avoid this, but it may also be useful to teach it.

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Consider using "high lead levels" or "high levels of lead in the blood."

Explain

Your doctor may suggest treatment if your child has high levels of lead in her blood. This is called an Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBLL).

Encapsulant

Tip

You may able to avoid this, but it may also be useful to teach it.

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Rephrase using "seal up" or "seal off."

Explain

An expert can use special liquids or sprays to seal off asbestos so it won't harm you. They're called encapsulants.

Encapsulation

Tip

You may able to avoid this, but it may also be useful to teach it.

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Use "sealing up" or "sealing off."

Explain

An expert can use special liquids or sprays to seal off lead paint to keep you safe. This is called encapsulation.

Environmental hazard

Tip

Try to avoid this term. Readers might be confused by the difference between environmental hazards and hazards to the environment.

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Depending on context, consider "dangers in the environment," "health risks," or "harmful substances." Also consider rephrasing to use "can make you sick."

Explain

Example: Arsenic in your water can make you sick.

Environmental health

Tip

Recommend teaching this term.

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N/A

Explain

Environmental health is the study of how the environment can affect human health.

Environmental media

Tip

Try to avoid this term. Readers might be confused by the word media.

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Rephrase to be more specific, using "soil," "water," "air," "plants," or "animals."

Explain

Example: Experts may test the soil or air for harmful substances.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Tip

Introduce acronym at first mention so it may be used throughout the rest of the document.

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N/A

Explain

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the government agency that helps keep our environment safe.

Epidemiology

Tip

You may able to avoid this, but it may also be useful to teach it.

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Consider keeping it general and using "research" or "science."

Explain

Some scientists study diseases to figure out why people get them and how to stop them from spreading. This is called epidemiology.

Evaluation

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Depending on context, consider "checkup," "test," or "testing."

Explain

Example: An expert will test the soil to see if it is safe.

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G

Grab samples

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "sample," "soil sample," or "water sample"

Explain

Example: Experts will take samples of the water to test for harmful substances.

Ground water

Tip

You may able to avoid this, but it may also be useful to teach it.

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Use "water under the ground" or "water below the earth's surface."

Explain

Ground water is water that collects naturally underground in the dirt or gaps between rocks.

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H

Hazardous waste

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Consider "harmful substances" or "dangerous substances," or rephrase with additional context.

Explain

Example: The waste that was dumped into the stream may be harmful to your health.

Health consultation

Tip

Only use this term if it's important to clarify a classification of document.

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A report with information that responds to a specific health question or a possible environmental problem.

Explain

ATSDR releases reports with information about specific health questions or possible environmental problems. They're called health consultations.

Health effect

Tip

May be fine to use if it's contextualized.

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May also consider "effect" "symptom."

Explain

Example: Symptoms of breathing in ozone may include coughing and wheezing.

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I

Ingest

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "eat" or "swallow."

Explain

Example: Lead can make you sick if you swallow it.

Inhale

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "breathe in" or "breathe."

Explain

Example: Breathing in ammonia can make you cough.

Inorganic

Tip

Consumers may not understand the difference between organic and inorganic chemicals--and may not need to. Recommend including when necessary for accuracy but not attempting to describe the technical distinction.

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Write about chemicals without getting into organic/inorganic distinction.

Explain

Example: There are 3 kinds of mercury: elemental, organic mercury compounds, and inorganic mercury compounds.

Interim Control

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Consider "short-term fixes" or rephrase to allow for use of "in the meantime..." or "while you wait for a permanent solution..."

Explain

Example: There are some things you can do to while you wait for experts to remove lead paint from your home.

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L

Level of concern (LOC)

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Consider "levels high enough to be a problem" or other ways of rephrasing the specific problem.

Explain

Example: The levels of chemicals found in the water were high enough to cause health problems.

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M

Malignancy

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "cancer."

Explain

Example: Some pesticides can cause cancer.

Mean

Tip

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Use "average."

Explain

Example: The average age of people in the study was age 45.

Mechanism

Tip

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Rephrase to describe the way something happens or how it happens.

Explain

Example: The chemical causes cancer by affecting your genes.

Median

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Depending on context, may be possible to use "normal" or "middle." Also may just state facts without calling attention to the median.

Explain

Example: We found that the normal level of benzene in the blood was 0.0 μg/L for non-smokers.

Methodology

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Rephrase to explain the way experts conducted the research.

Explain

Example: Researchers will test well water within 5 miles of the spill.

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N

No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)

Tip

Try to avoid this term. If it's necessary to use it, teach it.

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Rephrase to write about "levels that aren't likely to cause harmful health effects."

Explain

The No Observed Adverse Effect Level is how much of a substance a person can be exposed to without having harmful health effects.

Non-genotoxic carcinogens

Tip

Try to avoid this term. For consumers, the way a substance causes cancer -- whether it's genotoxic or non-genotoxic -- usually won't matter.

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Say that the substance "causes cancer" without getting more specific.

Explain

Example: Some pesticides can cause cancer by changing the way the body makes and uses hormones.

Not to exceed

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Consider "shouldn’t go over," "shouldn’t go above," "should be below," or "should stay below."

Explain

Example: For adults, levels of lead in the blood should be below 40 micrograms/dL.

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O

Organic

Tip

Consumers may not understand the difference between organic and inorganic chemicals--and may not need to. Recommend including when necessary for accuracy but not attempting to describe the technical distinction. Consumers may also confuse the concept with those relevant to organic food.

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Write about chemicals without getting into organic/inorganic distinction.

Explain

Example: There are 3 kinds of mercury: elemental, organic mercury compounds, and inorganic mercury compounds.

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P

Pica

Tip

Recommend defining this term.

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N/A

Explain

Pica is a condition that makes you want to eat paint chips, dirt, and other things that aren't food.

Plume

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Rephrase to describe what the plume is and how it's moving.

Explain

Example: A large amount of the chemical leaked into the river and traveled downstream to the city.

Point of exposure

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Rephrase to describe the point of exposure instead.

Explain

Example: People may come into contact with arsenic through their well water.

Potential exposure pathway

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Rephrase to describe the possible pathways instead.

Explain

Example: Arsenic can make you sick if you swallow it or breathe it in.

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Q

Quantitative

Tip

Try to avoid this term. For consumers the distinction between quantitative data or research and non-quantitative insn't important.

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Write about information or research without specifying its classification.

Explain

Example: The research showed high levels of mercury in the water.

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R

Range

Tip

May be fine to use if it's contextualized.

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Rephrase, using "between" and specific numbers.

Explain

Example: Levels of arsenic in food are usually between 20 and 140 ppb.

Receptor population

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Depending on context, use “people who come in contact with" or refer to specific population.

Explain

Example: People who come in contact with mercury vapors may have serious health problems.

Reduce

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Use "lower" or "lessen."

Explain

Example: Take steps to lower your risk of health effects caused by contact with chemicals.

Reference dose (RfD)

Tip

Try to avoid this term. If it's necessary to use it, teach it.

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Rephrase to write about "levels that aren't likely to cause harmful health effects."

Explain

A reference dose estimates how much of a substance is not likely to harm people who are exposed every day for a lifetime.

Registry

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Depending on context, use "records," "information," or "list."

Explain

Example: We collected information about past cases of mercury poisoning to help us learn more.

Remediation

Tip

You may able to avoid this, but it may also be useful to teach it.

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Depending on context, consider "fixing," "repair," "removal," or "clean up."

Explain

You may need to have materials containing asbestos repaired or removed from your home. This is called remediation.

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S

Statistics

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Depending on context, use "research," "facts," or "information."

Explain

Research from the study showed a link between long-term contact and higher rates of cancer.

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)

Tip

Try to avoid this.

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Rephrase, referring to "the law."

Explain

The law gives people who live near toxic waste sites some control in how they're cleaned up.

Superfund site

Tip

Only use this term if it's important to know that the site is classified as a Superfund site.

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Depending on context, use "toxic waste sites," "dangerous waste site," or "areas with harmful substances."

Explain

The government keeps track of areas with dangerous waste -- like some old factories or mines -- and works to get them cleaned up. They're called Superfund sites.

Surface water

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Depending on context, refer to specific bodies of water, like lakes, rivers, streams, or ponds.

Explain

After heavy rains, water in ponds and steams near the site had higher levels of mercury.

Surveillance

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Depending on context, try "keeping track of," "watching," "testing," or "checking."

Explain

Keep track of lead levels in the soil over a 5-year period.

Synergistic effect

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Rephrase to describe specific meaning.

Explain

One chemical may make the health effects of another chemical worse.

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T

Toxic

Tip

Recommend limiting use of this term. Consider avoiding this term when possible to be more descriptive about what it actually means to the consumer.

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Consider "dangerous," "harmful," or "poisonous."

Explain

Lead paint in old houses can poison children.

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U

Urgent public health hazard

Tip

Only use this term if it's important to know that the problem is classified as an urgent public health hazard.

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Write about an "unsafe area" or "dangerous area" and contextualize with specific information.

Explain

This site is an urgent public health hazard. Being near it could be dangerous -- even for a short time.

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V

Vapor migration

Tip

Try to avoid this term.

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Rephrase to describe what's happening.

Explain

Chemicals under the ground can seep into your home, making you sick. This is called vapor migration.

Environmental Health Thesaurus

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