nonrespirable
- adjective
- /ˌnɒnˈrɛspɪrəbl/
- Specialized
:
no respirable
- The air in the abandoned factory was nonrespirable, causing workers to wear masks while inspecting the site.
Examples
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Due to the toxic fumes, the environment became nonrespirable and required immediate evacuation.
-
Many chemicals produce nonrespirable vapors that can harm anyone who breathes them in.
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"High" reporters of symptoms had median nonrespirable bacterial concentrations that were 11% greater than the concentrations of "low" reporters.
Academic text (2009) -
On the opposite side of the spectrum, "high" reporters of respiratory symptoms had median nonrespirable fungal concentrations that were 22% lower than those homeowners who reported fewer than eight respiratory symptoms.
Academic text (2009)
Synonyms
2
4.7
A place with no air where you cannot breathe
1
6.6
Air that is unsafe to breathe because of smoke or chemicals
Hot, heavy air that makes it hard to breathe
Antonyms
How Breathable
15
3.3
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
nonrespirable = respirable (transparent) = non + respire + able
Built by adding the productive negation prefix 'non-' to the adjective 'respirable', giving a straightforward negative meaning.
Etymology
The word nonrespirable is made of non- meaning 'not' and respire meaning 'to breathe', the same part you see in respirator and the word 'breath'. So nonrespirable means something 'not able to be breathed in' or not safe to breathe.