A hazardous chemical is a substance that has the capacity to cause negative effects when exposed to humans, animals, or the environment. Although produced in both natural and artificial settings, these substances are most commonly man-made through industrial, agricultural, and medicinal applications. Improper and careless handling can result in the release of hazardous chemicals into the ecosystem through air, soil, and water sources. As such, water bodies worldwide are monitored to ensure the quality of water is within specific parameters since the release of hazardous chemicals can impact water quality and therefore damage the functionality of ecosystems.
