bioaccumulativeadj.
/ˌbʌɪəʊəˈkjuːmjᵿlətɪv/, U.S. /ˌbaɪoʊəˈkjum(j)ələdɪv/, /ˌbaɪoʊəˈkjum(j)əˌleɪdɪv/ Environmental Science.
Of a (typically toxic) chemical: having a tendency to bioaccumulate. Also: of or relating to bioaccumulation.
ΚΠ
1971 Proc. Royal Soc. B. 177 346 There may now be a strong case for ensuring that bio-accumulative or toxic conservative materials do not enter the normal waste disposal stream.
1976 Water Res. 10 869 Oysters show no bioaccumulative potential.
1995 New Scientist 25 Nov. 54/3 Some organochlorines are toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative.
2003 Independent on Sunday 26 Oct. (LifeEtc. section) 4/3 Three of the PCBs found in my blood..are chief suspects for cancer and hormonal functioning problems. Like many other ‘bioaccumulative’ chemicals, I expect them to stay there my whole life.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1971