Absorption: The uptake of substances by the skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Also refers to the uptake of substances by plant parts or organs.
Acute: One-time or short-term exposure; or the brief effects that appear promptly after exposure.
Acute toxicity: The rapid onset of a harmful effect from a single exposure. Acute toxicity is not an indicator of chronic effects.
Aerosol: A small particle or a liquid suspended in a gas.
Aerosol product: A pressurized, self-dispensing or spray product.
Air pollutant: Any substance in air that could, in high enough concentration, interfere with human health or welfare, or harm animals, vegetation or materials.
Borax: Also called sodium borate. Odorless crystals, granules or crystal powder. Moderately toxic.
Carcinogen: A substance that causes cancer.
Caustic: Capable of burning skin on contact.
Chemical sensitivity: Health problems such as dizziness, eye and throat irritation, chest tightness, and nasal congestion as a result of exposure to certain chemicals, even in small amounts.
Chronic: Ongoing exposures; or effects after a long exposure occurring over a long period of time, either continuously or intermittently.
Chronic toxicity: The slow or delayed onset of an adverse effect, usually from multiple, long-term exposures. Chronic toxicity is not an indicator of acute effects.
Corrosive: Capable of slowly dissolving materials. Example: Corrosive ingredients in some pesticides dissolve rubber hoses, nozzles and other parts of spray machinery.
Combustible: Capable of being easily set on fire and burning readily or quickly.
Cumulative: Repeated exposures over time, or the effect of repeated exposures. Often the cumulative effect is greater than that of a single exposure.
Desiccant: A substance that induces drying by absorbing water.
Dose: The quantity of a chemical directed to be applied at one time, or medication to be used.
Dusts: Small particles of solid materials.
Exposure: Contact with a chemical, physical or geological agent.
Flammable: Capable of easily being set on fire and burning readily or quickly.
Fumes: Small particles created in operations such as welding or soldering that become airborne when exposed to high heat. Fume particles are very small and tend to remain airborne for long periods of time. Metals, some organic chemicals, plastics and silica can produce fume particles.
Gas: Substances that become airborne at room temperature. They may or may not mix with air.
Hazard: The potential to harm a person or the environment.
Ignitable: Capable of being set on fire.
Inert: Not adding to the effectiveness of the product. Many inert ingredients are hazardous.
Ingestion: Taking something into the body through swallowing.
Inhale: To take into the lungs through the mouth or nose.
Irritant: An agent that causes chafing, soreness, or inflammation, especially to the skin.
Mists (aerosol): Tiny liquid droplets in the air. Any liquid, water, oil or solvent can be in a mist or aerosol form.
Mucous membrane: The tissue that lines body cavities such as the nose and mouth.
Organic solvents: A solvent is any liquid that will dissolve another substance to form a solution. Solvents that contain carbon are known as organic solvents. Organic solvents may be toxic and many are flammable.
Pest: Any unwanted or destructive animal, disease, fungi, insect or plant.
Pesticide: A chemical or biological agent that kills pests.
Petroleum distillates: Chemical compounds derived from the distillation of petroleum. Most are highly toxic if ingested.
Pine oil: Derived from steam distillation of wood from pine trees. Used in many household disinfectants and deodorants. Can irritate skin and may cause allergic reactions or central nervous system damage in concentrated form.
Poison: Any toxic substance that harms a living organism by surface absorption, injection or ingestion, eventually leading to death if the dosage is sufficiently strong.
Radioactive: Capable of giving off radiant energy in the form of particles or rays by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei.
Reactivity: Tendency of a substance to undergo chemical change when exposed to other substances, heat, sudden shock or pressure.
Repellent: A chemical or biological agent that makes unattractive to pests a habitat, food source or anything else ordinarily sought and frequented.
Respiratory system: Generally the nose, nasal passages and lungs.
Risk: The probability of injury, disease or death under specific circumstances.
Silica gel: Precipitated silicic acid in the form of lustrous granules, especially prepared for absorption of various vapors. Mildly toxic.
Smoke: A mixture of many gases, particulates, vapors and fumes formed from burning organic matter.
Solvent: A liquid that will dissolve a substance, forming a solution. See “Organic solvents” listing.
Toxic: Harmful. Poisonous.
Vapor: The gaseous form of any substance that is usually a liquid or a solid. Most liquids vaporize continually. The rate of evaporation increases as the temperature rises. Vapors are easily inhaled.
Ventilation, adequate: At least two open windows with a fan placed in one of them, directed outward. (One open door or window or a kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan is not enough.)
Ventilation, good: Either outdoors or, if indoors, an area with at least three or more open doors or windows with a fan placed in one of them and directed outward.
Volatile: A substance that evaporates quickly, such as alcohol.
Volatile organic compound (VOC): Chemicals released into the air as gases or fumes, creating indoor and outdoor pollution. Often found in products such as paints and caulks. The most toxic VOC-containing products, such as paint strippers, can increase indoor air pollution levels up to 1,000 times higher than outdoor levels, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. VOCs can cause severe health problems. Improper product use or disposal can harm wildlife and plants and pollute water and soil.