Which term describes a situation where two environmental factors enhance each other’s damaging effects?

The term that best describes a situation where two environmental factors enhance each other's damaging effects is "synergistic effect." This concept refers to the phenomenon where the combined impact of two or more factors is greater than the sum of their individual effects. In other words, when two harmful factors interact, they can create a scenario that leads to significantly increased damage or risk, beyond what would be expected if evaluating each factor in isolation.

Understanding this concept is crucial in fields such as toxicology, public health, and environmental science, as it emphasizes the importance of considering not just individual risks but also how they might interact to produce more severe consequences. Recognizing synergistic effects can lead to better risk assessments and more effective mitigation strategies when managing environmental hazards.