Final answer:
The best explanation for how hazardous waste could potentially affect someone's health is the development of birth defects. Hazardous waste exposure, especially during development, can lead to congenital malformations and is associated with increased risks of cancer and other health conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The choice that best explains how hazardous waste might potentially affect an individual’s health is the development of birth defects. Exposure to certain hazardous materials, particularly during critical periods of development, can severely impact embryonic and fetal growth, leading to various types of congenital malformations. Additionally, hazardous waste can contribute to a range of health issues, including cancer and other diseases due to long-term exposure to toxic substances.
Environmental toxicologists investigate how exposure to chemicals and hazardous waste affects human health and development. For example, if a toxicologist finds that a chemical causes birth defects, this indicates its potential to disrupt normal development in a prenatal setting.
Living near toxic waste facilities and other sources of pollution also contributes to health risks among communities, particularly affecting minority groups and those in impoverished areas. These populations may face higher levels of exposure, which can exacerbate health disparities and lead to both acute and chronic health conditions.