Glossary

Carcinogen

Any substance known or suspected of causing cancer.

Acrylamide

Odourless, soluble substance used in paper-making, fabrics and dyes. A probable carcinogen found in small quantities of food, particularly starch-based foods that over-heated during when cooking.

Acrylic

The generic name for all synthetic materials derived from acrylic acid. Applications include paint, and acrylic fibers used in textiles.

Aerobic

Any action that requires the use of, or caused by, oxygen. Usually associated with the degradation of materials or substances in the environment by micro-organisms that require air.

Alloy

A combination of one or more elements, one being a metal, that results in a material with metallic properties.

Aluminium

Common and versatile metal. May cause dermatitis when applied to the skin, and digestive and bowel disorders if ingested in foods exposed to aluminium.

Anaerobic

Any action that does not require the use oxygen. Usually associated with the degradation of materials or substances in the environment by micro-organisms that do not require air.

APEO’s

Alkylphenol ethoxylates. Used as active cleaning agents in detergents, lubricant oils and toiletry products they are not readily biodegradable and are suspected hormone disruptors.

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Intense smelling molecules, many of which are considered carcinogenic and teratogenic (see teratogenic).

Bioaccumulation

When a substance accumulates in living tissues in the environment, usually with poisonous effects.

Biocide

A chemical substance (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides etc) capable of killing plants and animals.

Biodegradable

Material that will biodegrade, facilitated by the activity of micro-organisms.

Biopolymer

Any polymer (a long repeating chain of atoms) found in nature. Examples include starch, proteins and DNA.

BOD

Biochemical Oxygen Demand. The demand for oxygen by water-borne organisms. Used as an indication of water quality.

Boric Acid

A mild acid with application in antiseptic, insecticides and flame-retardants. Potentially hazardous to human health at higher concentrations.

Bromine

Highly reactive ingredient used in flame-proofing agents (called brominated flame retardants), dyes and medicine. In its basic form bromine is a strong skin irritant, and can damage the respiratory system.

Builder

A substance used in detergent to keep soils suspended in water.

Carbon Dioxide

Common atmospheric gas and waste-product of respiration and industrial air pollution. Potential contributor to global warming and the greenhouse effect.

CFC’s

Chlorofluorocarbons. Artificial compounds formerly used in refrigeration and solvents. Prohibited by the Montreal Protocol as possible ozone-depleting substances.

Chlorine

Poisonous element with strong odour, and a powerful bleach and disinfectant. Known respiratory irritant.

Chromium

A metaloid element. Toxic when orally ingested and potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Now commonplace in soils and groundwater.

COD

Chemical Oxygen Demand. The amount of organic pollutants found in lakes and rivers. Used as a measure of water quality.

Compostable

Materials based on plant or animal tissues that will decompose in the environment.

Copper

Common and versatile metal. Considered toxic and potentially lethal, particularly in powdered form.

EDTA's / DTPA's

Substances used to bind metals found in raw materials and in process water. Also used as preservatives in some processed food.

Energy Star^®

Australian Government program promoting energy-efficient consumer products, particularly the use of power management systems and low-energy stand-by modes. It is currently mandatory for all fridges/freezers, washing machines and dryers, dishwashers and air-conditioners sold in Australia to carry an approved energy label.

Environmental Fate

The fate of a substance, usually a pesticide, once it enters the environment, and how it will affect target and non-target organisms.

Eutrophication

Enrichment of an aquatic system via the addition of nutrients, leading to oxygen depletion, loss of native aquatic species and the introduction of introduced species.

Formaldehyde

Pungent-smelling gas, forming a hard resin when combined with certain substances (usually melamine) with application in plywood, adhesives, carpets and paints. Common cause of headaches, throat and lung complaints, and is lethal (carcinogenic) if ingested. 

Genotoxin

A substance capable of altering DNA.

Glycol Ethers

A range of toxic substances that can cause kidney failure and conditions when ingested.

GMO

Genetically Modified Organisms. An organism whose genetic make-up has been deliberately altered. Commonly used to improve the growth of food crops and their resistance to pests. Concerns exist that GMO foods may impact human health and the natural order of the environment.

Gypsum

A very soft mineral composed of calcium sulphate with application in floor and wall boards, surface filler and plaster.

Halogens

Highly reactive elements that are harmful and often lethal to plants, animals and people in sufficient quantities.

HCFC's

Compounds used as substitutes for CFC’s, designed to degrade / break down before reaching the ozone layer. Suspected of contributing to atmospheric chlorine.

Heavy Metals

The group of elements including lead, cadmium, chromium, manganese and arsenic among others. Can cause heavy metal poisoning if ingested.

Hydrocarbon

The major constituent of fossil fuels, plastics waxes and oils. React with various airborne gases to form ozone.

Hydrolysis

When a material, particularly plastic, degrades as a result of exposure to water.

Lacquer

Any paint producing a hard, durable and glossy finish.

Lead

Soft metal used in various alloy products. Damages nervous system, causes abdominal pain, and can lead to blood and brain disorders.

Mercury

Liquid metal used in common in thermometers, and electronic components. Known to cause brain and liver damage if ingested, readily bio-accumulates in living tissue, and is the cause of Minamata disease (mercury poisoning).

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet. A form listing the properties of a particular substance, proper handling and disposal, and their health effects. Every manufacturer in Australia must have an MSDS for every substance they produce.

Mutagen

Any substance that increases the likelihood of mutation in living tissue.

Nickel

Versatile metal used in various applications including coins, batteries and wire. Carcinogenic (cancer-causing) in dust form and toxic in gaseous form.

NOx

Generic chemical abbreviation for Nitrous Oxides. Known to aggravate asthma, react with air to produce ozone, and acid rain when dissolved in water.

Nylon

Extremely versatile synthetic plastic-based fibre widely used stockings, brushes, fishing lines, carpets, ropes, and machinery.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100

An international standard and certification for textiles and fabrics, evaluating the amount of harmful substances within processed textiles.

See www.oeko-tex.com

Opacifier

A substance used to make a material more opaque.

Optical Brightener

Additives used to enhance the appearance of colours in fabrics and on papers.

Organic

Part of or derived from living matter

Organophosphate

Any organic compound containing phosphorous, often found in insecticides, herbicides and nerve gases.

Oxidation

When a material, particularly plastic, degrades as a result of exposure to air. 

Ozone

A highly corrosive poisonous substance and common airborne pollutant, contributing to smog and the cause of severe respiratory conditions.

Phosphogypsum

A by-product of acid-based fertiliser production. Contains fluoride which causes land and water pollution.

Phosphorous

Highly reactive element and limiting nutrient found in living tissue. Contributes to soil and water pollution as a nutrient, leading to algal blooms and the depletion of aquatic oxygen in waterways (see Eutrophication).

Photodegradable

A material, usually plastic, that can degrade as a result of exposure to natural sunlight.

Phthalates

See Plasticizers

Plasticizers

Substances added to plastics to improve their flexibility and durability

Plastics

Synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that can be moulded or extruded into objects, films and fibres.

Polyamide

See Nylon

Polyester

Synthetic, plastic-based textiles.

Polypropylene

Plastic-based material resistant to hear, solvents and acids. Used in Australian bank-notes.

Preservative

A natural or synthetic chemical added to a product to prevent spoilage or undesirable change.

PVC

Polychlorinated Vinyl. A common plastic, capable of leaching substances into the environment. Plasticizers added to PVC may cause chronic health conditions including as brain cancer.

Recycling

The re-use of waste materials.

Resin Identification Code

An international plastic identification system identifying different plastics with a unique code, displayed as a number enclosed by three arrows in a triangle-loop formation. Used on plastic packaging to ensure that different plastics are recycled separately.

See www.americanplasticscouncil.org

Solvents

Any liquid that dissolves other liquids or solids. Common examples include paint thinners and nail polish remover.

Sulphur

A common element in nature. In high atmospheric concentrations as hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide, it can cause extreme bleeding in the lungs and lead to suffocation.

Teratogenic

Often spelt tetragenic. Any substance that causes abnormal cell development during pregnancy, resulting in birth defects.

Titanium Dioxide

The most widely used white pigment in paints, plastics, paper, foods and inks. Considered to be a potential carcinogen.

TOC

Total Organic Content. The total amount of organic matter dissolved in water.

VOC

Volatile Organic Compound. Commonly detected as indoor odours these agents cause dizziness, headaches and nausea (and many more), and the formation of atmospheric ozone and smog.