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[[File:GHS-pictogram-pollu.svg|thumb|The [[Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals|international]] [[GHS hazard pictograms|pictogram]] for environmental hazards.]]
An '''environmental hazard''' is a substance, state or event which has the potential to threaten the surrounding natural or environmental [[Environmental issue|environment]] or adversely affect people's [[health]], including [[pollution]] and [[natural disasters]] such as storms and earthquakes.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/42329268|title=Nursing, health & the environment : strengthening the relationship to improve the public's health|date=1995|publisher=National Academy Press|others=Pope, Andrew MacPherson, 1950-, Snyder, Meta A., Mood, Lillian H., Institute of Medicine (U.S.). Committee on Enhancing Environmental Health Content in Nursing Practice.|isbn=0-585-02694-7|location=Washington, D.C.|oclc=42329268}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Environmental Hazards & Health Effects|url=https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehhe/pdfs/about.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]}}</ref> It can include any single or combination of [[Toxic heavy metal|toxic]] chemical, biological, or physical agents in the environment, resulting from human activities or natural processes, that may impact the health of exposed subjects, including pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, biological contaminants, toxic waste, industrial and home chemicals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://definedterm.com/environmental_hazard |title=Environmental hazard |work=Defined Term - A dictionary of legal, industry-specific, and uncommon terms. |access-date=23 August 2017}} quoted from Code of Maryland, January 1, 2014</ref>
Human-made [[hazard (risk)|hazards]] while not immediately health-threatening may turn out detrimental to a human's well-being eventually, because deterioration in the environment can produce secondary, unwanted negative effects on the human [[Biosphere|ecosphere]]. The effects of [[water pollution]] may not be immediately visible because of a [[sewage system]] that helps drain off toxic substances. If those substances turn out to be persistent (e.g. [[persistent organic pollutant]]), however, they will literally be fed back to their producers via the [[food chain]]: plankton -> edible fish -> humans. In that respect, a considerable number of environmental hazards listed below are man-made [[anthropogenic hazard|(anthropogenic) hazards]].
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