hazardous air pollutants

hazardous air pollutants

[‚haz·ər·dəs ′er pə‚lüt·əns] (engineering) Chemicals that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as reproductive effects or birth defects, or adverse environmental effects. Listed hazardous air pollutants include benzene, found in gasoline; perchlorethlyene, emitted from some dry cleaning facilities; and methylene chloride, used as a solvent and paint stripper in industry; as well as dioxin, asbestos, toluene, and metals such as cadmium, mercury, chromium, and lead compounds. Also known as air toxics. Abbreviated HAP.