Premier Laboratory: Industry Glossary

Industry Glossary

A-D

Acrylamide - May cause nervous system or blood problems; increased risk of cancer*

Alachlor - Can cause Eye, liver, kidney, or spleen problems; anemia; increased risk of cancer*

Antimony - Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood glucose*

Arsenic - Can cause skin damage; circulatory system problems; increased risk of cancer*

Asbestos - In water, causes increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps*

Atrazine - May cause weight loss; cardiovascular system problems; reproductive difficulties*

Barium - May cause increase in blood pressure*

Basic Potability - A water quality test which includes coliform bacteria, color/odor, turbidity, pH, nitrite/nitrate, chloride/sodium, hardness, sulfate, and iron/manganese.

Benzene - Can cause anemia; decrease in blood platelets; increased risk of cancer*

Benzo(a)pyrene - May cause reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer*

Beryllium - Can cause intestinal lesions*

Cadmium - May cause kidney damage*

Carbofuran - Can cause problems with blood, nervous system or reproductive system*

Carbon tetrachloride - May cause liver problems; increased risk of cancer*

Chlorobenzene - May cause liver or kidney problems*

Chloride / Sodium - A compound of chlorine with another element or group or a salt or ester of hydrochloric acid. May indicate roadside "salting" or discharge from other sources.

Chlorine - A greenish-yellow gas, it occurs in nature in numerous and abundant compounds, e.g., sodium chloride (common salt). Chlorine is soluble in water; chlorine water has strong oxidizing properties. Chlorine is used in water purification, and as a disinfectant and antiseptic.

Chromium - Causes allergic dermatitis*

Copper - Short term exposure: Stomach or intestinal problems; Long term exposure: Liver or kidney disease. Those with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor if their water systems exceed the copper action level.*

Coliform Bacteria - A group of bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals (including humans). The presence of coliform bacteria indicates that the water is polluted and may contain disease-causing organisms.

Color/Odor - Included in Basic Potability test. May indicate possible contamination from natural or man-made contaminates.

Cyanide - Causes nerve damage or thyroid problems*

2,4-D - May cause kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems*

Dalapon - Can cause minor kidney changes*

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) - Causes reproductive problems; increased risk of cancer*

o-Dichlorobenzene - Can cause liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems

p-Dichlorobenzene - May cause anemia; liver, kidney or spleen damage; changes in blood

1,2-Dichloroethane - Can cause increased risk of cancer*

1,1-Dichloroethylene - May cause liver Problems*

cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene - May cause immune system problems*

trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene - Can cause liver or immune system problems*

Dichloromethane - May cause liver problems; increased risk of cancer*

1,2-Dichloropropane - Causes increased risk of cancer*

Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate - Causes general toxic or reproductive difficulties*

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate - Adverse reproductive effects; increased risk of cancer*

Dinoseb - Causes reproductive difficulties*

Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) - Causes reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer*

Diquat - May cause cataracts*

Disinfection - A process designed to kill most microorganisms in water, including essentially all disease causing organisms. There are several ways to disinfect, with chlorine being the most frequently used in water treatment.

Distribution System - A network of pipes, valves, fire hydrants, service lines, meters, and pumping stations that deliver water to homes, businesses, and industries for drinking and other uses. This water is also used for fire protection.

E - H     Top

Endothall - May cause stomach and intestinal problems*

Endrin - Can cause nervous system effects; convulsions*

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) - An independent US agency in the executive branch of the federal government. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to provide safe handling and disposal of toxic substances. The EPA engages in research, monitoring, and the setting and enforcement of national standards.

Epichlorohydrin - Can cause stomach problems; increased risk of cancer*

Ethylbenzene - May cause liver or kidney problems*

Ethylene dibromide - Can cause stomach, kidney, or reproductive system problems; increased risk of cancer*

Filtration - A physical and chemical process for the removal of turbidity from water.

Fluoride - May cause bone disease (pain and tenderness)*

GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) - Adsorptive granules of carbon usually obtained by heating carbon (such as wood). These granules have a high capacity to remove certain trace and soluble materials from water.

Glyphosate - May cause kidney problems; adverse reproductive effects*

Groundwater - Part of the precipitation that falls infiltrates the soil and percolates down until all voids in the earth's materials are filled with water. This zone of water is called ground water with the upper part of the zone called the water table. A well penetrates the water table and is used to extract water from the ground water basin.

Hardness - Water hardness is caused by the polyvalent metallic ions dissolved in water. Hardness commonly is reported as an equivalent concentration of calcium carbonate (CACO3). At high levels, hardness impedes soaps and detergents ability to clean, and can cause scaling and deposits.

Heptachlor - May cause liver damage; increased risk of cancer*

Heptachlor Epoxide - Can cause liver damage; increased risk of cancer*

I - P     Top

Inorganic Mercury - May cause kidney damage*

Inorganics - Material such as sand, salt, iron, calcium salts and other mineral materials. Inorganic substances are of mineral origin, whereas organic substances are usually of animal or plant origin.

Lead - In infants and children: Delays in physical or mental development; slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities; in adults: Kidney problems, high blood pressure* Can be caused by plumbing, solder, or fixture deterioration.

MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) - The largest allowable amount. MCL's for various water quality indicators are set by federal law.

Methoxychlor - May cause reproductive difficulties*

Nitrite / Nitrate - A salt or ester of nitric acid. May indicate animal waste, fertilizer, or septic contamination.

Nondetectable - Is the value given for a specific water quality test when there isn't any of the particular substance found. A nondetectable value doesn't mean the value is zero, but the level is below the sensitivity of current analysis procedures.

Organics - A term that refers to chemical compounds based on carbon molecules. These compounds may be natural materials (such as animal or plant sources) or man-made.

PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) - Any of a group of organic compounds that were once widely used as liquid coolants and insulators in industrial equipment. They were later found to be dangerous environmental pollutants, and US manufacture of PCBs ended in 1977.

Pentachlorophenol - May cause liver or kidney problems; increased risk of cancer*

pH - An indication of the acidity and alkalinity of a solution. A low pH can cause corrosion of metals found in plumbing or fixtures. A high pH may cause scaling or deposit buildup in pipes.

Picloram - Can cause liver problems*

ppb (Parts Per Billion) - A measurement of concentration on a weight or volume basis.

ppm (Parts Per Million) - A measurement of concentration on a weight or volume basis. This term is equivalent to milligrams per liter (mg/L).

Q - T     Top

Radionuclides - A term for radioactive elements that are sometimes found in drinking water. The MCLs for radiological contaminants are divided into two categories: (1) natural radioactivity which results from well water passing through deposits of naturally occurring radioactive materials; and (2) man-made radioactivity such as might result from industrial wastes.

SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act) - An act passed by the US congress in 1974. The Act establishes a cooperative program among local, state and federal agencies to provide safe drinking water for consumers.

Selenium - Can cause hair or fingernail loss; numbness in fingers or toes; circulatory problems*

Simazine - May cause problems with blood*

Styrene - Can cause liver, kidney and blood problems*

Sulfate - May indicate possible contamination from detergents and can cause scaling and deposits.

Surface Water - The accumulation of water on the surface of the ground as a result of runoff from precipitation. Surface water for drinking water supplies are usually classified into rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Tetrachloroethylene - May cause liver problems; increased risk of cancer*

Thallium - Causes hair loss; changes in blood; kidney, intestine, or liver problems*

Toluene - May cause nervous system, kidney, or liver problems*

Trihalmethanes - May cause liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer*

2,4,5-TP (Silvex) - Can cause liver problems*

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene - May cause changes in adrenal glands*

1,1,1-Tricloroethane - May cause liver, nervous system or circulatory problems*

1,1,2-Trichloroethane - Can cause liver,kidney or immune system problems*

Trichloroethylene - May cause liver problems; increased risk of cancer*

Turbidity - The cloudy appearance of water caused by the presence of suspended matter. A turbidity measurement is used to indicate the clarity of the water. May indicate contamination from metals or other sources. A turbidimeter is an instrument that measures the amount of light that is reflected by suspended particles in the sample of water. Turbidity has no health effects but can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. It may indicate the presence or microbes.*

U - Z     Top

Vinyl chloride - Can cause increased risk of cancer*

Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC) - Organic compounds that evaporate readily at normal pressures and temperatures. Can indicate contamination from petroleum products, degreasing agents, pesticides, herbicides or other man-made organic compounds. Some of these compounds have been linked to cancer.

Xylenes - May cause nervous system damage*

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Premier's Glossary is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Premier Laboratory shall not be liable for any errors in the content, or for any action taken in reliance thereon.