Final answer:
Toxic chemicals cause short- or long-term injuries or illnesses. Examples include pesticides, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemicals that cause short- or long-term injuries or illnesses are known as toxic chemicals. These chemicals can lead to acute poisoning from short-term very high levels of exposure or chronic effects from long-term low-level exposure. Some examples of toxic chemicals are pesticides, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants.