What is the term for an area where hazardous waste is improperly disposed of?

The term "contaminated site" specifically refers to locations where hazardous waste has been improperly disposed of, leading to contamination of the land, air, or water in that area. This term is used within environmental regulations and assessments to identify areas that pose risks to health and the environment due to the presence of hazardous substances. Contaminated sites often require remediation efforts to remove or contain the waste and to mitigate risks to human health and the ecosystem.

While "pollution zone," "hazardous waste facility," and "environmental risk area" might intuitively suggest areas related to hazardous waste, they do not capture the specific implication of improper disposal that the term "contaminated site" conveys. Pollution zones may indicate regions with general pollution without specifying the type or source, hazardous waste facilities are designed to handle such materials safely, and environmental risk areas might refer more broadly to any place facing ecological threats, rather than the specific context of hazardous waste disposal.