TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
HARMFUL AGENT [8 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2026-02-18
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Toxicology
- Effects of Pollution
- Collaboration with Health Canada
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- acute effect
1, record 1, English, acute%20effect
correct, noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
In the context of health and environmental science, an acute effect refers to the immediate or short-term impact of exposure to a harmful agent, such as a pollutant or a toxic substance. These effects typically occur shortly after exposure and can be of varying severity, ranging from mild to severe. 2, record 1, English, - acute%20effect
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Toxicologie
- Effets de la pollution
- Collaboration avec Santé Canada
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- effet aigu
1, record 1, French, effet%20aigu
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Un effet aigu correspond à un effet indésirable lié à une exposition courte à des doses élevées de polluant. En général, leur apparition est immédiate et cesse quand il n'y a plus d'exposition. 2, record 1, French, - effet%20aigu
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2012-11-01
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Risks and Threats (Security)
- Human Diseases
- Animal Diseases
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- exposure
1, record 2, English, exposure
correct, standardized
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The fact of being in proximity to or contact with a source of a disease agent in such a manner that effective transmission of the agent or harmful effects of the agent may occur. 2, record 2, English, - exposure
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
exposure: term and definition standardized by the Canadian Capability-Based Planning Terminology Committee and the Translation Bureau. 3, record 2, English, - exposure
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Risques et menaces (Sécurité)
- Maladies humaines
- Maladies des animaux
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- exposition
1, record 2, French, exposition
correct, feminine noun, standardized
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Fait d'être à proximité de la source d'un agent pathogène ou en contact avec cette source, de sorte que l'agent ou ses effets néfastes peuvent se transmettre efficacement. 2, record 2, French, - exposition
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
exposition : terme et définition normalisés par le Comité de terminologie de la planification axée sur les capacités au Canada et le Bureau de la traduction. 3, record 2, French, - exposition
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Riesgos y amenazas (Seguridad)
- Enfermedades humanas
- Enfermedades de los animales
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- exposición
1, record 2, Spanish, exposici%C3%B3n
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Contacto con un agente patógeno como virus o bacterias, sin que necesariamente tenga como consecuencia el contraer la enfermedad. [El contacto] se puede establecer mediante condiciones, conductas o acciones riesgosas. 2, record 2, Spanish, - exposici%C3%B3n
Record 3 - internal organization data 2011-01-18
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Crop Protection
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- disinfectant
1, record 3, English, disinfectant
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Any chemical agent used chiefly on inanimate objects to destroy or inhibit the growth of harmful organisms. 2, record 3, English, - disinfectant
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Protection des végétaux
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- désinfectant
1, record 3, French, d%C3%A9sinfectant
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Substance antiseptique, c'est-à-dire qui détruit les germes pathogènes, dont l'emploi est réservé à l'application sur des matériaux inertes. 2, record 3, French, - d%C3%A9sinfectant
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 DEF
Produit qui détruit les germes pathogènes et leurs spores. 3, record 3, French, - d%C3%A9sinfectant
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[...] les désinfectants les plus répandus sont les agents chimiques, qui peuvent être employés sous [...] forme [...] gazeuse [...], liquide [...], solide. Les désinfectants sont en général des poisons puissants et ne peuvent être utilisés que dans des conditions précises. 3, record 3, French, - d%C3%A9sinfectant
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Protección de las plantas
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- desinfectante
1, record 3, Spanish, desinfectante
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Sustancia que destruye los microorganismos patógenos o inhibe su actividad. Algunos son venenosos o corrosivos. 2, record 3, Spanish, - desinfectante
Record 4 - internal organization data 2009-09-11
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Pharmacology
- Biotechnology
- Immunology
- Surgery
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- immunosuppressive drug
1, record 4, English, immunosuppressive%20drug
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- immunosuppressor 2, record 4, English, immunosuppressor
correct, noun
- immune suppressant 3, record 4, English, immune%20suppressant
correct, noun
- anti-immune drug 4, record 4, English, anti%2Dimmune%20drug
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Any drug ... used to suppress antibody production. 5, record 4, English, - immunosuppressive%20drug
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The sixth lookback has a lower count [of CD4 lymphocytes] not because of HIV but because he has a disease being treated with immune suppressants. 3, record 4, English, - immunosuppressive%20drug
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 CONT
His studies involve collection of comprehension of drug safety and effectiveness. He is particularly interested in anti-immune drug and drug digoxin. 4, record 4, English, - immunosuppressive%20drug
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
anti-immune : tending to block or inhibit immunity. 6, record 4, English, - immunosuppressive%20drug
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 OBS
immunity : A state of increased resistance against the harmful effects of a noxious agent, as an infectious agent or toxin. 6, record 4, English, - immunosuppressive%20drug
Record 4, Key term(s)
- immunosuppressive agent
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Pharmacologie
- Biotechnologie
- Immunologie
- Chirurgie
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- médicament immunodépresseur
1, record 4, French, m%C3%A9dicament%20immunod%C3%A9presseur
correct, masculine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- médicament immunosuppresseur 1, record 4, French, m%C3%A9dicament%20immunosuppresseur
correct, masculine noun
- immunodépresseur 2, record 4, French, immunod%C3%A9presseur
correct, masculine noun
- immunosuppresseur 2, record 4, French, immunosuppresseur
correct, masculine noun
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[...] médicament [...] capable de diminuer, voire de supprimer les réactions immunitaires d'un organisme vis-à-vis d'un antigène. 1, record 4, French, - m%C3%A9dicament%20immunod%C3%A9presseur
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Farmacología
- Biotecnología
- Inmunología
- Cirugía
Record 4, Main entry term, Spanish
- inmunodepresor
1, record 4, Spanish, inmunodepresor
correct, masculine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 4, Synonyms, Spanish
- inmunosupresor 1, record 4, Spanish, inmunosupresor
correct, masculine noun
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2008-11-18
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Studies and Analyses
- Toxicology
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- risk estimation
1, record 5, English, risk%20estimation
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- risk assessment 2, record 5, English, risk%20assessment
correct
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
An estimation of the probability of harmful effects resulting from exposure to a chemical, physical, or biologic agent. 1, record 5, English, - risk%20estimation
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Épidémiologie
- Études et analyses environnementales
- Toxicologie
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- évaluation du risque
1, record 5, French, %C3%A9valuation%20du%20risque
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- évaluation des risques 2, record 5, French, %C3%A9valuation%20des%20risques
correct, feminine noun
- estimation des risques 3, record 5, French, estimation%20des%20risques
correct, see observation, feminine noun
- estimation du risque 3, record 5, French, estimation%20du%20risque
correct, see observation, feminine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
«estimation» du ou des risque(s) : d'après la forme verbale : pour estimer ce risque [...] 4, record 5, French, - %C3%A9valuation%20du%20risque
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Rapport hebdomadaire des maladies au Canada. 5, record 5, French, - %C3%A9valuation%20du%20risque
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Epidemiología
- Estudios y análisis del medio ambiente
- Toxicología
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- evaluación del riesgo
1, record 5, Spanish, evaluaci%C3%B3n%20del%20riesgo
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
- estimación del riesgo 2, record 5, Spanish, estimaci%C3%B3n%20del%20riesgo
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Determinación del tipo e intensidad de los efectos en la salud que aparecerán en varios grupos de una población particular (grupos poblacionales bajo riesgo), como resultado de la exposición a un peligro particular. 1, record 5, Spanish, - evaluaci%C3%B3n%20del%20riesgo
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Esto incluye la construcción de la curva de dosis-respuesta y el cálculo del nivel de exposición de no respuesta o nivel de riesgo cero. 1, record 5, Spanish, - evaluaci%C3%B3n%20del%20riesgo
Record 6 - internal organization data 2007-08-22
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Food Industries
- Toxicology
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- estimated maximum daily intake
1, record 6, English, estimated%20maximum%20daily%20intake
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
- EMDI 1, record 6, English, EMDI
correct
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Prediction of the maximum daily intake of a residue of a potentially harmful agent based on assumptions of average food consumption per person and maximum residues in the edible portion of a commodity, corrected for the reduction or increase in residues resulting from preparation, cooking, or commercial processing. 1, record 6, English, - estimated%20maximum%20daily%20intake
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The EMDI is expressed in mg residue per person. 1, record 6, English, - estimated%20maximum%20daily%20intake
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Industrie de l'alimentation
- Toxicologie
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- apport journalier maximum estimé
1, record 6, French, apport%20journalier%20maximum%20estim%C3%A9
masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
- AJME 2, record 6, French, AJME
masculine noun
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
S'applique aux résidus de pesticides présents dans les aliments. 2, record 6, French, - apport%20journalier%20maximum%20estim%C3%A9
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Source : Rapport de la 21e session du Comité du Codex sur les résidus de pesticides. 2, record 6, French, - apport%20journalier%20maximum%20estim%C3%A9
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 2004-01-22
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Pollutants
- Toxicology
- Reproduction (Medicine)
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- reproductive health hazard
1, record 7, English, reproductive%20health%20hazard
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
- reproductive hazard 2, record 7, English, reproductive%20hazard
correct
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Any agent that has a harmful effect on the adult male or female reproductive system or the developing fetus or child. 1, record 7, English, - reproductive%20health%20hazard
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Chemicals which cause reproductive effects in the absence of other significant harmful effects are regarded as true reproductive hazards. 3, record 7, English, - reproductive%20health%20hazard
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Such hazards affect people in several ways, including loss of sexual drive, mental disorders, impotence, infertility, sterility, mutagenic effects on germ cells, teratogenic effects on the fetus, and transplacental carcinogenesis. 4, record 7, English, - reproductive%20health%20hazard
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Agents de pollution
- Toxicologie
- Reproduction (Médecine)
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- danger pour la reproduction
1, record 7, French, danger%20pour%20la%20reproduction
masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
- produit génésotoxique 2, record 7, French, produit%20g%C3%A9n%C3%A9sotoxique
masculine noun
- produit nocif pour l'appareil reproducteur 2, record 7, French, produit%20nocif%20pour%20l%27appareil%20reproducteur
proposal, see observation, masculine noun
- produit nocif envers les fonctions de la génération 2, record 7, French, produit%20nocif%20envers%20les%20fonctions%20de%20la%20g%C3%A9n%C3%A9ration
proposal, masculine noun
- produit nocif à l'égard des fonctions de la reproduction 2, record 7, French, produit%20nocif%20%C3%A0%20l%27%C3%A9gard%20des%20fonctions%20de%20la%20reproduction
proposal, masculine noun
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[...] dans les cas où une substance présente un danger pour la reproduction en l'absence d'autres effets toxiques [...] on peut véritablement parler de danger pour la reproduction. Il y a très peu de produits chimiques utilisés en milieu de travail qui présentent de tels risques pour la reproduction. 3, record 7, French, - danger%20pour%20la%20reproduction
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
«Danger» ou «produit nocif», selon que l'on désire mettre l'accent sur le produit dangereux ou sur le danger que représente l'emploi dudit produit. 4, record 7, French, - danger%20pour%20la%20reproduction
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 2 OBS
génération : Fonction par laquelle les êtres organisés se reproduisent; reproduction. 5, record 7, French, - danger%20pour%20la%20reproduction
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Agentes contaminantes
- Toxicología
- Reproducción (Medicina)
Record 7, Main entry term, Spanish
- peligro para la salud reproductora
1, record 7, Spanish, peligro%20para%20la%20salud%20reproductora
masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 7, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 2001-12-06
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Criminology
- Security
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- front
1, record 8, English, front
correct
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A person, group, or thing that is used to cover up or mislead concerning the identity or the usually illegal, harmful, or self-serving true character, purpose or activity of the actual controlling or directing agent. 2, record 8, English, - front
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Criminologie
- Sécurité
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- paravent
1, record 8, French, paravent
correct, masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
- façade 2, record 8, French, fa%C3%A7ade
correct, feminine noun
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Personne ou chose qui en abrite, cache, dissimule une autre; couverture. 1, record 8, French, - paravent
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 2 DEF
Apparence donnée à quelque chose, comportement affecté par quelqu'un dans le but de cacher son état réel. 1, record 8, French, - paravent
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Société d'import-export qui n'est qu'une façade et qui cache en réalité un service de renseignements. 1, record 8, French, - paravent
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


