| A |
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| Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) |
The amount of a chemical a person can be exposed to on a daily basis over an extended period of time (usually a lifetime) without suffering deleterious effects.
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| acute toxicity |
The immediate health effects of exposure to a chemical. Acute toxicity is based upon a measurement called LD50s or LC50s, which refers to the "lethal dose" or "lethal concentration" (in the air if it’s a gas) that would to kill 50 percent of a test population within 14 days after an exposure to the concentration of chemical. When classifying chemicals by toxicity, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that exposure through ingestion, inhalation and absorption through the skin be considered. EPA requires warning labels for pesticide products based on LD50s. CHEC ranks acute toxicity as very highly toxic, highly toxic, moderately toxic, and slightly toxic.
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| amide |
A class of chemicals that includes insecticides and repellents, such as DEET, acetachlor.
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| anodize |
to coat metal by subjecting it to electrolytic action
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| antibiotic |
A substance that can destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Antibiotics are widely used in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
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| antigen |
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| aromatic hydrocarbon |
A type of volatile organic compound (which readily release fumes) that is structurally similar to benzene, contains a high ratio of carbon to hydrogen, and has a fragrant smell. Many hydrocarbons are derived from petroleum. Includes benzene, toluene, xylene and other solvents.
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| B |
No glossary terms for this letter now.
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| C |
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| carbamate |
A class of pesticides (primarily insecticides, but also includes fungicides and herbicides) that impact the central nervous system and brain by blocking an enzyme crucial to nerve transmission. Carbamates are among the most widely used pesticides in the world. However, very little research exists on their effects on animals and humans or long-term toxicity.
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| carcinogen |
cancer-causing substance
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| certified organic |
National Organic Standards developed and finalized in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assure shoppers that foods marketed as "certified organic meet consistent, uniform growing and production guidelines. Beginning on October 21, 2002, producers and handlers must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent to sell, label, or represent their products as either "100 percent organic," "organic," or "made with organic (ingredients or food)."
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| certified sustainable wood |
Wood products that have been certified by an agency that it has been farmed and harvested in a manner that maintains forests instead of destroying them.
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| Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) |
CCA, 22 percent pure arsenic combined with chromium and copper, is injected into wood at high pressure to prevent rot and insect damage. The arsenic migrates to the surface of treated wood, where it can be picked up on hands and then ingested. (This is a particular concern with children playing on playgrounds, where CCA treated wood is common.) Arsenic can also contaminate the soil under and surrounding treated wood.
CCA was the most common wood preservative and pesticide used in the United States. Fortunately, as a result of consumer pressure to review its safety, the EPA and the treated wood industry agreed to a ban on CCA in outdoor wood intended for consumer use by the end of 2003.
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| Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) |
Community members purchase a share in a local organic farm's operation at the start of each growing season, or a subscription" to the farm for a set period of time. In return, members receive fresh produce directly from their grower every week during harvest season (usually June through November). Payment is usually made up front to help cover growers' costs. CSAs provide markets for small farmers, funds for farmers to start out the growing season, and inexpensive seasonal fresh (often picked that day) produce for consumers.
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| D |
No glossary terms for this letter now.
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| E |
No glossary terms for this letter now.
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| endocrine disruptors |
Endocrine disruptors (hormone disruptors, xenoestrogens) are substances that are capable of interfering with hormones by mimicking them, blocking them or otherwise changing normal hormone behavior. Endocrine disruptors can cause harm to a number of systems in the body.
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| erythema |
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| etiology |
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| F |
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| febrile |
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| flavoring |
Artificial or natural additives used to enhance taste because, during processing, a food’s natural flavors are lost. Or flavors may be used to replace a real food ingredient. For example, fruit drinks may contain flavor additives instead of real fruit juice.
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| food color |
An additive used to change or enhance the color of a food item. Any color additive derived from natural sources, such as animals (including insects), fruits, vegetables or minerals, is exempt from FDA certification; but most must meet defined criteria for specifications and purity. Only nine synthetic colors are allowed for use in food, but industry prefers them — synthetic colors are unflavored, consistent and cheaper to produce. Synthetic colors are derived from coal tar, a petroleum product.
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| fungicide |
A substance the kills fungi, such as molds, mildew, rusts, blight. Fungicides are used outdoors to prevent and treat disease in the garden and on the farm. They may be used on foods to prevent mold growth during transport and storage. Indoors, fungicides are used prevent or control the growth of mold and other fungi in building and decorative products.
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| G |
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| gene drift |
A term used most often to describe what happens when genetically engineered crops accidentally cross-pollinate other crops or closely related weed species. When this happens, non-engineered crops and wild plants become contaminated with genetically engineered characteristics that can make organic crops non-organic and could cause weeds and wild plants to become heartier and more successful than other species, giving them the advantage and disturbing
ecosystems.
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| Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) |
Substances added to foods, such as salt, sugar, spices and vitamins, which are excluded from safety assessment because they are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
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| genetically engineered |
Organisms that have been have had genes carryng desired traits from another species joined to their own genetic code. Genetic engineering is a process that primarily been used to create new plants for agricultural purposes.
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| H |
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| heavy metal |
Naturally occuring substance; a metal, usually poisonous.
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| HEPA |
Used in vacuums and air purifiers, HEPA filters are highly effective at blocking particles as small as 0.3 microns (a micron is 0.0004 inches), which can irritate airways or cause an allergic reaction. Equipment must be built to accommodate HEPA filters. They cannot be installed on non-HEPA vacuums, air purifiers and air conditioners, as air does not flow easily through them and can cause motors to burn out.
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| herbicide |
A substance that kills plants. Some herbicides target specific types of weeds. Others generally kill all plants.
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| hydrops |
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| I |
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| immunoglobulin |
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| in utero |
Latin term meaning "in the womb."
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| incidence |
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| insecticide |
A substance that kills anthropods, such as hard shelled insects, spiders, millipedes and scorpions.
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| Integrated Pest Management |
A systemic approach to pest control which relies on prevention, identification and control by the least harmful means, such as biological controls, first before moving on to more toxic methods.
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| irradiation |
For food items, exposure to ionizing radiation can kill harmful bacteria and disease-causing parasites. Surgical tools are irradiated to sterilize them. While not a common practice yet in the U.S., irradiation is currently approved
for use on meat, poultry, wheat flour, white potatoes, herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables.
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| J |
No glossary terms for this letter now.
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| K |
No glossary terms for this letter now.
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| L |
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| landfill |
A common method of disposing trash and garbage by burying it under layers of earth in low ground.
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| lymphadenopathy |
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| M |
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| Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) |
The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals to distribute Material Safety Data Sheets to purchasers or users of the chemicals upon request. MSDS contain information about hazards of the product, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur.
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| meningeal |
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| miticide |
A substance that kills mites.
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| N |
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| neurotoxin |
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| NOAEL |
A term used in toxicology that describes the maximum dose (of a substance) that produces no detectable changes under defined conditions of exposure.
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| nutritional additives |
Additives, such as vitamins and minerals, used to increase a food's health benefits. Most of the time, they are added to restore the nutrients that are lost when a food is processed
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| O |
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| offgas |
Many chemicals used in consumer products can be released as fumes, or gases. The process is called "offgassing." These gases can become trapped indoors and levels can increase in concentration over time if there is poor ventilation. These gases can also resolidify as particles that settle onto surfaces and floors, where they may be picked up on hands and then ingested accidentally. Some products, such as carpets and particleboard, may offgas for many months, while others, such as paints, offgas only when wet.
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| organochlorine |
A class of chemicals, such as DDT, PCBs, dioxin and lindane, that have been chlorinated. That is, they contain carbon, hydrogen and chlorine. Organochlorine chemicals affect the central nervous system and brain by interfering with transmission of nerve impulses. Organochlorine insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and other chemicals became widespread because they are inexpensive and effective. However, many accumulate in living tissue, remain there and in the environment up to several decades, and harm organisms that were not targeted (including humans). New research is showing that a number of organochlorines also mimic or block hormonal activity in wildlife and humans. Some organochlorines have been banned due to their acute and chronic toxicity, while others are restricted.
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| organophosphate |
A class of insecticides that harm the central nervous system and brain by blocking an enzyme (cholinesterase) that is crucial in transmitting nerve signals. Generally, organophosphate (OP) insecticides are the most acutely toxic insecticides to mammals and fish. These chemicals are related to nerve gases developed for use as chemical weapons. Unlike organochlorine chemicals, OPs break down in the environment fairly quickly. OPs have come to replace many organochlorine pesticides.
(The few organophosphate herbicides, such as glyphosate, do not have the same mode of action as the OP insecticides.)
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| P |
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| pathogenesis |
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| persistent organic pollutant (POP) |
Chemicals that don’t break down in the environment for long periods of time, accumulate in living tissue of plants and animals, and can travel in the air for long distances . POPs have been linked to adverse effects on human health and animals, such as cancer, damage to the nervous system, reproductive disorders, and disruption of the immune system. POPs can be found in soil, sediment, food, wildlife and humans. The amount in plants and animals tends to magnify up the food chain, so that predatory animals have the highest concentrations. There is a global effort underway to reduce emissions of POPs.
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| pesticide |
Any substance that prevents, destroys or repels an unwanted organism, including insects, weeds, fungi, bacteria, viruses, rodents and other animals. Some pesticides are targeted to specific pests, while others may harm a variety of pests.
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| pesticide residues |
Pesticide residues are the small amounts of pesticides that remain on surfaces, food, water, air and soils, after a pesticide application. While some pesticides break down rapidly into less toxic compounds, others like DDT persist for decades and can travel on air, in water and through the food chain.
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| phenoxy |
A class of herbicides that act as synthetic plant hormones. Phenoxy herbicides include 2,4-D, one of the most widely used herbicides in the U.S., and the banned 2,4,5-T (Agent Orange).
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| preservative |
Substance added to food or other plant-based material (such as wood) to keep it fresh longer, extend shelf life or create the illusion of freshness. Long transportation distances or storage times make preservation necessary. Preservatives are usually antimicrobials, which prevent mold or bacteria from growing, or antioxidants, which block normal chemical reactions to oxygen, such as discoloration. They won’t mask inferior quality, however.
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| pyrethrin |
A componenent of pyrethrum, a natural extract of chrysanthemum flowers. Permethrins have insecticidal properties and have long been used as a pesticide. Though they are natural, they are NOT harmless. Pyrethroid insecticides are synthetic versions of pyrethrum.
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| pyrethroid |
Synthetic insecticides that are structurally similar to pyrethrum, which comes from chrysanthemum flowers and has pesticidal properties. Pyrethroids, however, are modified to increase stability. Pyrethroids penetrate insects and paralyze them. They are often combined with piperonyl butoxide, a fairly toxic chemical that enhances the action of the pyrethroid insecticide.
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| pyrethrum |
An extract of chrysanthemum flowers made up of pyrethrins, compenents that are harmful to insects. Pyrethrum is used in some pesticides and may be promoted as a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides. This does not mean it is any safer, however. Pyrethroid insecticides are synthetic versions of pyrethrum.
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| Q |
No glossary terms for this letter now.
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| R |
|
