Toxic Sludge

Toxicity

Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell (cytotoxicity) or an organ such as the liver (hepatotoxicity). Sometimes the word is more or less synonymous with poisoning in everyday usage.

Sludge

Sludge is a semi-solid slurry that can be produced from a range of industrial processes, from water treatment, wastewater treatment or on-site sanitation systems. It can be produced as a settled suspension obtained from conventional drinking water treatment, as sewage sludge from wastewater treatment processes or as fecal sludge from pit latrines and septic tanks. The term is also sometimes used as a generic term for solids separated from suspension in a liquid; this soupy material usually contains significant quantities of interstitial water. Sludge can consist of a variety of particles, such as animal manure.

toxic

Adjective

1. Having a chemical nature that is harmful to health or lethal if consumed or otherwise entering into the body in sufficient quantities.
2. Appearing grossly unwell; characterised by serious, potentially life-threatening compromise in the respiratory, circulatory or other body systems.

sludge

Noun

1. Solids separated from suspension in a liquid.
2. A residual semi-solid material left from industrial, water treatment, or wastewater treatment processes.

Verb

1. To slump or slouch.
2. To slop or drip slowly.