Environmental Terms Glossary
A
AA
Atomic absorption spectrophometry. Refers to the analytical method or apparatus used for metals analysis.
AAPCO
Association of American Pesticide Control Officials. Consists of officials charged by law with active execution of the laws regulating sale of economic poisons, and of deputies designated by the officials employed by State, Territorial, dominion, or Federal agencies.
AAR
Association of American Railroads
Absorption
- penetration of a substance into the body of another
- transformation into other forms suffered by radiant energy passing through a material substance.
Accelerator
In radiation science, a device that speeds up charged particles such as electrons or protons.
Accessibility
The accessibility level for a building refers to the ability of an individual to come into physical contact with known ACM. A value of 1.0 reflects a situation where an individual can without any forced means touch an ACM or have the potential to predicate contact with airborne asbestos fibers. A value of 0.2 reflects a situation where an individual has no means of physical contact, short of demolition of walls, floors, etc.
ACGIH
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
Acid
A hydrogen-containing compound that reacts with water to produce hydrogen cations. Acid chemicals are corrosive. Products having a pH less than 7 on the pH scale 0-14.
ACM
Asbestos Containing Materials. Any material that contains more than 1 percent asbestos as determined by Polarized Light Microscopy.
ACM Category
During the Comprehensive Asbestos Survey, known Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is categorized by the type of building material, location in the building, ACM Material Type/Condition, and ACM Potential for Exposure.
ACM Material Type/Condition
In the comprehensive asbestos survey, each category of ACM will be described as friable or non-friable and as its general condition (i.e., damage) at the time of the survey. These descriptions are converted to a multiplying factor with friable materials significant damage having the greatest factor.
ACM Potential For Exposure Factor
The potential for exposure factor is the sum of values that are assessed during the Comprehensive Asbestos Survey for specific considerations.
See Also: ACM Category
ACM Quantity Factor
The actual physical measurements of known ACM (i.e., linear feet, square feet) that is converted to a multiplying factor. The greater the quantity of ACM, the greater the factor.
ACO
Administrative Consent Order
ACS
American Chemical Society
Activity In Area
This term is the description of the occupancy level of a building in reference to the possible exposure time. The variance in values attributed to man hours of exposure time with 40 hrs/week equal to 1.0 and less than 3 hrs/week equal to 0.2.
Acute Effect
An adverse effect on human or animal, generally after a single significant exposure, with severe symptoms developing rapidly and coming quickly to a crisis.
See Also: Chronic effect
Acute Exposure
Exposure to a substance in a short time span and generally at a high concentration.
Acute Toxicity
The ability of a substance to cause poisonous effects resulting in severe biological harm or death soon after a single exposure or dose.
Adsorption
Attachment of the molecules of a gas or liquid to the surface of another substance. This procedure is often used for the removal of a hazardous substance from water or air with activated carbon.
Adulterants
Chemical impurities or substances that by law do not belong in a food or in a pesticide.
Aeration
A process which promotes biological degradation of organic waste. The process may be passive or active.
Aerobic
Life or processes that require, or are not destroyed by, the presence of oxygen.
Aerosol
A suspension of liquid or solid particles in a gas.
Aerosols
Liquid droplets or solid particles dispersed in air, that are of fine enough particle size to remain so dispersed for a period of time.
AHERA
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986. This rule describes the "current state-of-care" for dealing with asbestos containing building materials.
See Also: TSCA
AICE
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
AIHA
American Industrial Hygiene Association
Air Movement
A direct air stream running across a material erodes the material and thereby releases fibers into the air. The inspector must assess the velocity and flow of the air stream. The higher the numerical value, the stronger and more constant the flow of air.
Air Reactivity
The earth's atmosphere is made up of gases in concentrations that make it very stable. However, some products, when in contact with air, undergo a chemical reaction which could generate heat and fire under certain conditions. These materials are also called pyroforic. Example: Aluminum Alkyls, Alkyl Borans
Alcohol
A low reactive, highly flammable class of organic compounds containing at least one hydrocarbon group and at least one hydroxyl group.
ALJ
Administrative Law Judge
Alkali
Any substance that in water solution is bitter, more or less irritating, or caustic to the skin. Strong alkalies in solution are corrosive to the skin and mucous membranes.
Alkalis
Produces a pH greater than 7 on a pH scale 0-14.
Alpha Particle
A radioactive decay emanation of relatively low penetrating power, traveling only a few millimeters in air.
Alpha Radiation
A helium nucleus emitted spontaneously from radioactive elements. It is dissipated in a few centimeters of air or less than 0.005 mm of aluminum.
Ambient Air
Any unconfined portion of the atmosphere: open air, surrounding air.
Anaerobic
A life or process that occurs in, or is not destroyed by, the absence of oxygen.
Analytes
The chemicals for which a sample is analyzed.
Anhydrous
Free from water.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
Antagonism
The interaction of two chemicals having an opposing, or neutralizing, effect on each other, or given some specific biological effect a chemical interaction that appears to have an opposing or neutralizing effect over what might otherwise be expected.
APA
Acid Precipitation Act of 1980
APA
Administrative Procedure Act
APCA
Air Pollution Control Act
API
American Petroleum Institute
APR
Air-Purifying Respirator
ARAR
Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements CERCLA compliance policy which specifies that Superfund remediations meet any federal standards, requirements, criteria or limitations that are determined legally to be applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements.
Aromatics
Hydrocarbons containing at least one 6 carbon ring with three double (resonant) bonds. The most prevalent of these compounds is benzene which contains one 6 carbon ring with 6 hydrogen atoms attached to it. They have a characteristic odor and are generally thought of as being more toxic than typical saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Asbestos
A mineral fiber that can pollute air or water and cause cancer or asbestosis when inhaled. EPA has banned or severely restricted its use in manufacturing and construction.
Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)
Any material that contains more than 1 percent asbestos as determined by Polarized Light Microscopy.
Asbestosis
Lung disease caused by asbestos exposure.
Ash
The mineral content of a product remaining after complete combustion.
Asphyxiant
A vapor or gas which can cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation (lack of oxygen). Most simple asphyxiants are harmful to the body only when they become so concentrated that they reduce oxygen in the air (normally about 21 percent) to dangerous levels (18 percent or lower). Asphyxiation is one of the principal potential hazards of working in confined spaces.
AST
Above-ground Storage Tank
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials
Atomize
To divide a liquid into extremely minute particles, either by impact with a jet stream or compressed air, or by passage through some mechanical device.
Atrophy
Arrested development or wasting away of cells or tissue.
ATSDR
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry
Attenuation
The process by which a compound is reduced in concentration over time, through adsorption, degradation, dilution, and/or transformation.
Attractant
A chemical or agent that lures insects or other pests by stimulating their sense of smell.
Attrition
Wearing or grinding down of a substance by friction. A contribution factor in air pollution as with dust.
Auto-ignition Temperature
The minimum temperature at which the material will ignite without a spark or flame being present. Along with the flashpoint, auto-ignition temperature gives an indication of relative flammability.
B
Background Level
In air pollution control, the concentration of air pollutants in a definite area during a fixed time prior to the starting up or on the stoppage of a source of emission under control. In toxic substances, monitoring, the average presence in the environment, originally referring to a naturally occurring phenomena.
BACT
Best Available Control Technology
BADCT
Best Available Demonstrated Control Technology. Applies only to new industrial sources of pollution. Pollution control is built into the entire facility.
Base
That location at which the primary logistics functions are coordinated and administered. The Incident Command Post may be co-located with the base. There is only one base per incident.
Baseline General Permit
A storm water permit (issued under the NPDES program) intending to cover the majority of storm water discharges associated with industrial activities.
BAT
Best Available Technology. Most stringent type of control for existing discharges and applies to toxic pollutants as well as conventional and some nonconventional pollutants.
BCT
Best Conventional Technology
BDAT
Best Demonstrated Available Technology
Becquerel (Bq)
The unit for measuring radioactivity, equivalent to one disintegration per second.
BEJ
Best Engineering Judgement. Type of control for pollution sources for which EPA has not issued regulations.
Berm
An earthen mound used to direct the flow of runoff around or through a structure or away from some area.
Beryllium
An airborne metal that can be hazardous to human health when inhaled. It is discharged by machine shops, ceramic and propellant plants, and foundries.
Best Management Practices
Schedule of activities, prohibitions or practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices or structural devices designed to prevent or reduce the pollution of waters by preventing pollutants from entering storm waters or by directing the flow of such waters. BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control facility site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage.
See Also: BMP
Beta Particle
A fast moving particle emitted by an atomic nucleus during radioactive decay.
Beta Radiation
A charged particle emitted from a radioactive atomic nucleus. Beta particles are charged either negative (electons) or positive (positrons). They travel farther than alpha particles, but the skin can be protected by a thin sheet of metal from these products.
BIF
Boiler and Industrial Furnace Laws
Bioassay
Term used to describe the techniques by which a toxic agent is tested and measured for potency.
Biocide
A substance that, when absorbed by eating, drinking, or breathing, or otherwise consumed in relatively small quantities, causes illness or death, or even retardation of growth or shortening of life.
Biodegradable
The ability to break down or decompose under natural conditions and processes.
Biological Half-Life
The time required for a given species, organ, or tissue to eliminate half of a substance which it takes in.
Biological Hazardous Waste
Any substance of human or animal origin, other than food wastes, which are to be disposed of and (infections) could harbor or transmit pathogenic organisms including, but not limited to, pathological specimens such as tissues, blood elements, excreta, secretions, and related substances.
Biological Magnification
The concentration of certain substances up a food chain. A very important mechanism in concentrating pesticides and heavy metals in organisms such as fish.
Biological Treatment
A process by which hazardous waste is rendered non-hazardous or is reduced in volume by the action of microorganisms to degrade organic waste.
Biological Wastewater Treatment
A type of wastewater treatment in which bacterial or biochemical action is intensified to oxidize the unstable organic matter present. Intermittent sand filters, Contact beds, trickling filters, and activated sludge tanks are examples of the equipment used.
Blasting Agent
A material designed for blasting that has been evaluated according to one of the tests described in Title 49 CFR 173.114a of the DOT and found to be so insensitive that there is little probability of accidental initiation of explosion or of transition from deflagration to detonation.
BLEVE
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. In addition to its technical meaning, this acronym has acquired a common usage definition that has come to stand for virtually any rupture of a tank of liquid or liquefied compressed gas and has been expanded to include all vapor explosions.
BMP
Best Management Practices. Schedule of activities, prohibitions or practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices or structural devices designed to prevent or reduce the pollution of waters by preventing pollutants from entering storm waters or by directing the flow of such waters. BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control facility site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage.
BOD
Biological Oxygen Demand. Amount of biological organics requiring oxygen.
BOE
Bureau of Explosives
Boiling Point
The temperature of a liquid when its vapor pressure becomes equal to or slightly higher than that of atmospheric pressure. The temperature when a liquid will completely turn into a gas. Example: The boiling point of water is 212 degrees F.
BOM
Bureau of Mines
BPATT
Best Practicable Available Treatment Technology
BPCTCA
Best Practical Control Technology Currently Available
BPT
Best Practicable Technology
Breakthrough Time
The elapsed time between initial contact of the hazardous chemical with the outside surface of a protective clothing material and the time at which the chemical can be detected at the inside surface of the material by means of the chosen analytic technique.
Breathing Zone
Air sample, collected in the breathing area Sample (around the nose) of a worker to assess his exposure to airborne contaminants.
BSW
Bottom Sludge and Water
BTEX
Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene
By-Product
Material, other than the principal product, that is generated as a consequence of an industrial process.
Bypass
Intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility.
C
C
Ceiling Value (not to exceed level of chemical)
CAA
Clean Air Act. Federal law mandating and enforcing toxic emissions standards for stationary and mobile sources.
CAD
Chemical Assessment Division
Canister
(Air purifying) A container filled with sorbents and catalysts that remove gases and vapors from air drawn through the unit. The canister may also contain an aerosol (particulate) filter to remove solid or liquid particles.
CAPA
Critical Aquifer Protection Area
Capacitor
A device for accumulating an holding a charge of electricity and consisting or conducting surfaces separated by a dielectric.
Carcinogen
A substance capable of causing cancer.
Cartridge
A purifying device for an air-purifying respirator that attaches directly to the facepiece and removes particulate's or specific chemical gases or vapors from the ambient air as it is inhaled.
Catalyst
A substance used to affect (usually speed up) the rate of a chemical reaction but is not used up in the reaction. Example: Water vapor serves as a catalyst for the oxidation of Iron (rust).
Category
The various environmental programs and regulations that govern UPRR operations. Compliance with these codes is mandatory. Examples of present categories include asbestos, fueling facilities, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, transformers/PCBs, waste water and water supply. Others to be added.
cc
Cubic Centimeter. A volume measurement in metric system equal in capacity to one milliliter (ml). One quart is about 946 cubic centimeters.
CCD
Chemical Control Division
CD
Consent Decree
CDC
Center for Disease Control
Ceiling ("C")
The maximum allowable human exposure limit for an airborne substance, not to be exceeded even momentarily.
Centigrade
The internationally used scale for measuring temperature, in which 100 degrees is the boiling point of water at sea level (1 atmosphere), and zero degrees is the freezing point.
CEQ
Council on Environmental Quality
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; often referred to as "Superfund". Superfund Federal law authorizing identification and remediation of inactive hazardous waste sites.
CERCLIS
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System
CFC
chloroflourocarbons. Used as a propellant in aerosol cans.
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations. Compendium of official Federal Regulations. Notation indicates volume number, part and section of the code, as in 40 CFR 122.26 for storm water regulations.
CGA
Compressed Gas Association
CGNRC
Coast Guard National Response Center
CHEMTREC
Chemical Transportation Emergency Center
CHRIS
Chemical Hazards Response Information System
Chronic Effect
Adverse effects resulting from repeated doses of, or exposures to, a substance over relatively prolonged period of time.
Chronic Exposure
Exposure to a substance over a long period of time.
Clean Water Act
Federal law regulating the discharge of water borne pollutants into surface waters. Also referred to as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.
See Also: CWA
CMA
Chemical Manufacturers Association
CO
Carbon Monoxide
CO
Consent Order
COD
Chemical Oxygen Demand
Code of Federal Regulations
Compendium of official Federal Regulations. Notation indicates volume number, part and section of the code, as in 40 CFR 122.26 for storm water regulations.
See Also: CFR
COE
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Colorimetric Tube
An instrument for the chemical analysis of liquids by comparison of the color of the given liquid with standard colors.
Combined Storm Water Sewer System
A conveyance system which conveys storm waters and other wastewaters together.
Combustible
Capable of burning with a flashpoint between 100 degrees - 200 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
Combustion
The chemical combination of oxygen with another element or compound, induced by high temperature and resulting in the formation of one or more new compounds; this process is often called burning.
Compound
A substance made up of atoms of two or more elements which are chemically bonded together. These elements have definite proportions by weight and are represented by a chemical formula.
Comprehensive Asbestos Survey
Sampling, identification and hazard assessment of all building materials suspected of containing asbestos performed by an EPA Accredited Asbestos Inspector.
Compressed Gas
Materials in a container under pressure.
Concentration
The amount of a given substance in an overall mixture or solution. Often used in classification of acids and bases in solutions.
Conduit
Any channel or pipe for transporting the flow of water.
Container
Any portable device in which a material is stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise handled.
Contaminant
An unwanted and non-beneficial substance.
Contamination Reduction Zone (CRZ)
The area on a site where decontamination takes place, preventing cross-contamination from contaminated areas to clean areas.
Contingency Plan
A document setting out an organized, planned, and coordinated course of action to be followed in case of a fire, explosion, or other accident that releases toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes, or radioactive materials which threaten human health or the environment.
Control
Methods to eliminate or reduce the impact of the incident.
Conveyance
Any natural or manmade channel, ditch, culvert, pipe, conduit or similar device in which concentrated water flows.
Conveyance System
A system of interconnected open, closed, or pressurized flow manmade or natural flow conveyance structures, pipes, channels, drains, and similar devices to transport waste, storm, or similar waters.
Corrosion
An electrochemical change in a metal surface, caused by reaction of the metal with one or more substances with which it is in contact for long periods.
Corrosive Acid
A liquid or solid, excluding poisons, that causes visible destruction or irreversible alterations in human skin tissue at the site of contact, or has a severe corrosion rate on steel.
Corrosive Alkaline
A liquid or solid, excluding poisons, that causes invisible destruction or irrevocable alteration in human skin tissue at the site of contact; or has a severe corrosion rate on steel. Liquids show a pH of 8.0 or above. See Title 49 CFR 173.240.
Corrosives
Liquids or solids which cause damage to human tissue or have a severe corrosion rate on steel.
Corrosivity
The ability of a material to attack metals and building materials or cause burns or irritation to organic tissue, notably the skin.
Covalent bond
A chemical bond in which electrons are localized and shared between atoms rather than being transferred from one to another. These are bonds used by non-metals bonding together to form non-salts.
CPC
Chemical-Protective Clothing
CPE
Category Process Expert
CPE
Category Process Expert. The individual responsible for developing the various ERI work sheets used to score facilities.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPSA
Consumer Product Safety Act (1972)
CPSC
Consumer Products Safety Commission
Cradle to Grave
Proper management of waste materials from the time it is generated until final disposal.
CRC
Contamination Reduction Corridor
Critical Pressure
The amount of pressure needed to change a gas into a liquid at its critical temperature. These pressures will usually be given in atmospheres (atm) in which 1 atm = 14.7 psi.
Critical Temperature
Above this temperature, the product cannot be put into a liquid state. No matter how much pressure is exerted on the gas, it must be cooled down to be liquefied.
Cross-contamination
The transfer of a chemical contaminant from one person, piece of equipment, or area to another that was previously not contaminated with that substance.
CRZ
Contamination Reduction Zone
Culvert
A covered channel or a large-diameter pipe that directs water flow below the ground level.
Curb
Manmade ground level structure of small height but usually of considerable length used to confine or contain liquids on the ground.
CWA
Clean Water Act. Federal law regulating the discharge of pollutants into surface waters.
CWT
Centralized Waste Treatment
Cyanosis
Blue appearance of the skin, especially on the face and extremities, indicating a lack of sufficient oxygen in the arterial blood.
CZMA
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972