- Glossary List
Term
Definition
a single or short-term exposure; used to describe brief
exposures and effects which appear promptly after exposure
a change in body function or cell structure that might
lead to disease or health problems
a group of fibrous minerals that have been mined and used
extensively over the last century. Their tremendous
strength and extreme resistance to heat and chemicals have
made them ideal for use in a wide variety of commercial
products.
normal environmental concentration of a chemical
the absorption, via breathing, eating, drinking or active
uptake, and concentration of a substance in plants or
animals
disease characterized by the rapid and uncontrolled growth
of aberrant cells into malignant tumors
a term used to describe any increase in the number of
cancer cases over what would be expected in a particular
area during a specific period of time
a substance that causes cancer
occurring over a long period of time, either continuously
or intermittently, used to describe ongoing exposures and
effects that develop only after a long exposure
the amount of chemical in the body compared with the body
size
are variables other than those being tested which can
affect the incidence or degree of a parameter being
measured
a substance that is present in an environment where it
does not belong or is present at levels that might cause
adverse health effects
a group of experimental subjects which are not exposed to
a chemical or treatment being investigated so that they
can be compared to experimental groups which are exposed
to the chemical or treatment
the summation of exposures of an organism to a chemical
over a period of time
a chemical alteration to a pesticide; chemical or
biological breakdown of a complex compound into simpler
compounds
of the skin: through or by the skin
the amount of the chemical that gets into an organism
a quantitative relationship between the dose of a chemical
and the degree and/or severity of an effect caused by the
chemical
United States Environmental Protection Agency
the study of the distribution and causes of disease in
human population. The three main goals of epidemiology are
to describe disease patterns in human populations,
identify the causes of diseases, and provide data
essential for the management, evaluation and planning of
services for the prevention, control and treatment of
disease.
contact with a substance by swallowing, breathing, or
touching the skin or eyes [see Routes of Exposure].
Exposure may be short-term [acute exposure] or long-term
[chronic exposure].
the process of finding out how people come into contact
with a hazardous substance, including how much, how often,
and for how long they are in contact with the substance.
water which is located in zones below the soil surface.
Wells and springs can be fed by groundwater
the potential that the use of a compound could result in a
toxic effect
the collection and evaluation of information about the
health of community residents. This information is used to
describe or count the occurrence of a disease, symptom, or
clinical measure and to evaluate the possible association
between the occurrence and exposure to hazardous
substances.
the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a
defined population during a specified period of time
substances or compounds that do not contain carbon and are
generally not derived from plants and animals, such as
minerals, salts, and metals
a heavy metal that is hazardous to health if breathed or
swallowed
a heavy metal that can accumulate in the environment and
is highly toxic if breathed or swallowed
a group of plant-like organisms (a type of fungus) that
require only moisture and a nutrient source to grow
carbon containing compounds including those existing in or
derived from plants and animals, also including man-made
carbon based compounds
Parts per billion is a measure of the concentration of a
compound. 1 ppb is equal to one microgram per kilogram. An
example of this would be one ppb is equal to one second in
thirty-two years
Parts per million is a measure of concentration of a
compound. 1 ppm is equal to one mg per kg. An example of
this would be one ppm is equal to one minute in two years
a substance or mixture of substances used to prevent,
destroy, or repel a pest
the number of existing disease cases in a defined
population during a specified period of time
a colorless, naturally-occurring gas that is produced by
the decay of uranium, an element almost universally
present in soil and rock
a level of exposure that is considered acceptable or safe.
Also known as the "acceptable daily intake"
the beneficial and harmful effects of a chemical
the probability that something will cause injury or harm
the evaluation of possible adverse health effects (risks)
and benefits resulting from human exposure to a certain
substance
the exchange of information regarding possible adverse
health effects (risks) and environmental concerns between
public health officials and the public, media, elected
officials, and other interest groups.
human characteristics or external variables associated
with increased probability of an adverse health effect
actions that can decrease the likelihood that individuals,
groups, or communities will experience disease or other
health conditions
the ways that a toxin can enter the body. Three main
routes of exposure are: inhalation (by breathing), dermal
absorption (through the skin), and ingestion (by being
swallowed). Toxins may have serious effects by one route,
and minimal effects by another.
a substance that causes a structural or functional birth
defect
chemical, biological or physical agents, that under
certain circumstances of exposure, can cause harmful
effects to living organisms. Some examples of biological
agents are mold, mushrooms, poisonous plants, and
reptiles; chemical agents are arsenic, asbestos, benzene,
cyanide, lead, and mercury; physical agents are cold,
heat, microwaves, and radiation.
the study of the harmful effects of substances on humans
or animals
organic compounds that evaporate readily into the air