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ADKbrown	Post subject: Toxins vs. toxics Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:16 pm
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2002 12:01 am Posts: 1286 Location: Saranac Lake, N.Y.	Traces of toxins hidden in homes <p>*The "toxins" referred to in this hed include glycols, organic solvents and phthalates. I think "toxin" should be restricted to natural chemicals such as snake venom. I understand that writers are looking for shorthand for "toxic chemical." I'd rather see "toxic" used as a noun than see the meaning of "toxin" distorted. I'd like to know what others think and what the style is at other publications.*
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Phillip Blanchard	Post subject: Re: Toxins vs. toxics Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:56 pm
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2002 1:01 am Posts: 8342 Location: Bethesda, Md.	It's not really a question of style. The distinction is real and worth preserving. "Toxic" has been around as a noun for quite a while, although it appears more comfortable as an adjective.
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SeaRaven	Post subject: Re: Toxins vs. toxics Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:08 pm
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 12:01 am Posts: 1112 Location: An undisclosed alpine meadow	That's all true, but "toxic" as a noun has been skunked. Most readers will think it's a mistake.<p>... Still, there's something to be said for fighting to preserve perfectly good usage that is endangered by widespread ignorance. In the case of that headline, I'd agree that "toxics" is better. We have a responsibilty sometimes to remind readers what words are supposed to mean, rather than submit the language to outright mob rule.<p>[ July 15, 2004: Message edited by: SeaRaven ]</p>
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SusanV	Post subject: Re: Toxins vs. toxics Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:20 pm
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 12:01 am Posts: 1399 Location: In the newsroom	It is absolutely a distinction worth preserving. I change it to toxic substances, and I have never once had a writer complain.
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SeaRaven	Post subject: Re: Toxins vs. toxics Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:28 pm
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 12:01 am Posts: 1112 Location: An undisclosed alpine meadow	<blockquote><font size="1" face="TImes, TimesNR, serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SusanV: It is absolutely a distinction worth preserving. I change it to toxic substances, and I have never once had a writer complain.<hr></blockquote><p>But the question is about using toxic as a noun. There's no doubt about the adjectival form.
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SusanV	Post subject: Re: Toxins vs. toxics Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:05 pm
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 12:01 am Posts: 1399 Location: In the newsroom	<blockquote><font size="1" face="TImes, TimesNR, serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SeaRaven: <p>But the question is about using toxic as a noun. There's no doubt about the adjectival form.<hr></blockquote> I don't allow it.
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