Abatement Debris. Waste from remediation activities< /NP>. Abatement. Reducing the degree or intensity of, or eliminating, pollution. Absorbed Dose. In exposure assessment, the amount of a substance that penetrates an exposed organism 's absorption barriers (e.g.,, skin, lung tis sue, gastrointestinal tract) through physical or biologi cal processes. The term is synonymous with internal dose . Absorption Barrier. Any of the exchange sites o f the body that permit uptake of various substances< /NP> at different rates (e.g., skin, lung t issue, and gastrointestinal-tract wall) Absorption. The uptake of water , other flu ids, or dissolved chemicals by a cell or an org anism (as tree roots absorb dissolved nutrients in soil.) Accident Site. The location of an unexpected occurre nce, failure or loss, either at a plant or along a trans - portation route, resulting in a release of hazardous materials. Acclimatization. The physiological and behavioral ad justments of an organism to changes in its environment. Acid Aerosol. Acidic liquid or solid particles small enough to become airborne. High concentrations can irritate the lungs and have been associated with respiratory diseases like asthma. Acid Deposition. A complex chemical and atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when emissions of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and other substances are transformed by chemical processes in the atmosphere, often far from the original sources, and then deposited on earth in ei ther wet or dry form. The wet forms, popularly called "< NP>acid rain," can fall to earth as rain, snow< /NP>, or fog. The dry forms are acidic gases or part icul - ates. Acid Mine Drainage. Drainage of water from areas that have been mined for coal or other mineral ore s. The water has a low pH because of its < NP>contact with sulfur-bearing material and is harmful to aq uatic organisms. Acid Neutralizing Capacity. Measure of ability of a base (e.g., water or soil) to res ist changes in pH. Acid Rain. (See. acid deposition) Acidic. The condition of water or soil that contains a sufficient amount of acid substances to lower the pH below 7.0. Action Levels. 1. Regulatory levels recommended by E PA for enforcement by FDA and USDA when pesticide residues occur in food or feed commodities for reasons other than the direct application of the pesti - cide. As opposed to "tolerances" which are esta blished for residues occurring as a direct result of proper usage, action levels are set for inadvertent res idues resulting from previous legal use or accidental co ntami - nation. 2. In the Superfund program, the existen ce of a contaminant concentration in the environment high enough to warrant action or trigger a response un der SARA and the National Oil and Hazardous Substanc es Contingency Plan. The term is also used in other regu latory programs. (See. tolerances.) Activated Carbon. A highly adsorbent form of carbon< /NP> used to remove odors and toxic substances from liquid or gaseous emissions. In waste treatment, it is used to remove dissolved organic matter from waste drinki ng water. It is also used in motor vehicle evaporative c ontrol systems. Activated Sludge. Product that results when primary effluent is mixed with bacteria-laden sludge and then agitat ed and aerated to promote biological treatment, speeding the breakdown of organic matter in raw sewage undergoin g secondary waste treatment. Activator. A chemical added to a pesticide to i ncrease its activity. Active Ingredient. In any pesticide product, the com ponent that kills, or otherwise controls, target pests. Pesticides are regulated primarily on the basis of activ e ingredients. Activity Plans. Written procedures in a school 's asbestos-management plan that detail the steps a Local Education A gency (LEA) will follow in perfor ming the initial and additional cleaning, operation< /NP> and maintenance-program tasks; periodic surveillance; and reinspection required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Acute Exposure. A single exposure to a toxic substan ce which may result in severe biological harm or death. Acute exposures are usually characterized as lasting no long er than a day, as compared to longer, continuing exposure over a period of time. Acute Toxicity. The ability of a substance to c ause severe biological harm or death soon after a si ngle exposure or dose. Also, any poisonous effect r esulting from a single short-term exposure to a toxic substan ce. (Seechronic toxicity toxicity, toxicity.Ada ptation Changes. Changes an organism 'sphysiological structu re structure function function habits habits that < NP>it it to survive new surroundings Add-on Control Device ControlAn air pollution control device control device such carbon absorber absorber incinerator incinerator t hat the pollution pollution an exhaust gas The contr ol device control device usually does not the process proces s being controlled and thus is "add-ontechnology technology, as o pposed a scheme scheme to pollution pollution through the basic process itself Adequately Wet Adequately Asbestos. Asbestos material material that sufficiently mixed or the release with liquid to prevent the release particulates particulates. Dose Dose. exposure assessment the amount the a mount a substance substance given a test test subject humanhuman animal animal) to dose-response relationshi ps relationships. exposure exposure chemicals chemi cals is usually this quantity this quantity is often potentia l dose Administrative Order Administrative A legal document legal document signed EPA EPA an individual business, business, other entity entity to corrective action action or refrain an activi ty It. It the violations violations actions actions to be taken, and can be enforced court Such orders< /NP> Such orders may be issued, example example, a result result an administrative complaint complaint the respondent respondent is ordered to a penalty penalty violations violations a statute Administrative Order Administrative Order Consent A legal agreement legal agr eement signed EPA EPA an individual business, b usiness, other entity entity through the violator violat or agrees to pay correction correction violations violat ions, the required corrective or cleanup actions actions , or refrain an activity It. It the actions act ions to be taken, may be subject a comment period period, applies civil actions actions, and can be enforced court Ad ministrative Procedures Act Procedures A law A law spells spells proced ures procedures requirements requirements related the pr omulgation promulgation regulations Administrative Recor d Administrative All documents All documents EPA EPA consi dered or relied on in the response action action a Superfund site site, culminating the record record decision d ecision remedial action action an action memorandum acti on memorandum removal actions Adsorption. Removal. Removal a pollutant pollutant air air water water by the pollutant pollutant the surface surface a solid material materiale.g. an advance d method advanced method of waste waste in which carbon< /NP> carbon organic matter matter waste-water Adulte rants. Chemical impurities Chemical impurities substances subst ances that law law do not belong a food food, pestic ide pesticide. Adulterated. Any pesticide Any pesticide strength streng th purity purity falls the quality quality stated it s label label. A food A feed, feed, pr oduct product that illegal pesticide residues residues. Treatment A level A level wastewater treatment treatment more stringent secondary treatment treatment; an 85 - percent reduction reduction conventional pollutant concentrati on concentration a significant reduction reduction non - conventional pollutants pollutants. Sometimes tertiary treatment treatment. Wastewater TreatmentAny treatment Any treatment sewa ge sewage that goes the secondary secondary biological w ater treatment stage stage and the removal removal nutri ents nutrients such phosphorus phosphorus nitrogen nitrogen a high percentage percentage of solids solids. (See secondary treatment secondary treatment.Adverse Effects DataFIFRA. FIFRA a pesticide registrant reg istrant to data data EPA EPA any studies studie s other information information unreasonable adverse effects< /NP> effects a pesticide pesticide any time time its registration Advisory. A non-regulatory document non-regulatory document that communicat es information information those who who may have to risk management decisions Aerated Lagoon Aerated Lagoon. A holding and/treatment pond pond that speeds the natural process process biological decomposition decomp osition organic waste waste by the growth growth act ivity activity bacteria bacteria degrade organic waste Aeration. A process A process which biological degradation degrada tion organic matter matter water The process Th e process may be passive (as waste waste is exposed to air), or a ctive (as when a mixing or device device the air air Aeration Tank AerationA chamber A chamber used to air air water Aerobic. Life. Life or processes that require, or are not destroyed th e presence the presence oxygen oxygen. (anaerobic. anaerobic.Aerobic Treatment Process. Process by microbes microbes complex organic compounds compounds the presence presence < NP>oxygen oxygen and use the energy energy reproduction< /NP> reproduction growth growth. Such processes processe s include aeration aeration, filtration filtration, and biological contactorscontactors.Aerosol Aerosol. Small droplets Small droplets particles particl es suspended the atmosphere atmosphere, typically sulfur They. They are usually emitted naturally e.g.e.g., volcanic eruptions eruptions) and the result result of anthr opogenic (humanactivities activities such as fossil fuels fuels. The pressurized gas pressurized gas used to substanc es substances out a container Aerosol. A finely A finely material material suspended air air other gaseous environment environment. Landfill Landfill. the Clean Air Act landfills, landfills that criteria criteria capacity age, age, emissions rates rates set the EPA They. T hey are required to collect and their gas emissions emis sions. t Public Public. The peopleThe people who live and/wor k work a hazardous waste site site. The human population human population adversely impacted exposure exposure a toxic pollutant pollutant food water, air , air, soil Afterburner. Afterburner. incinerator technology a burner a burner lo cated so the combustion gases gases are made to pass its flame flame order order to smoke smoke odo rs It. It may be attached to or be separated the inciner ator incinerator Age Tank AgeA tank A tank used to a chemical solution solution of concentration concentration feed feed a chemical fe eder feeder. Also a day tank Agent. Any physical Any chemical, chemical, biological enti ty entity that can be harmful an organism organism(synonymou s stressor stressorAgent Orange AgentA toxic herbicide toxic herbicide defoliant defolia nt used the Vietnam conflict conflict, containing - trichloro phen - oxyacetic acid acid (- TT) and 2dichlorophenoxyac etic 4 acid acid (- DD) with amounts amounts di oxin Agricultural Pollution Agricultural Pollution. wastes wastes, runoff runoff leaching leaching pesticides pesticides fertilizers fertilizerserosion erosion dust dust from plowingi mproper disposal disposal animal manure manure carcasses carcassescrop residues residues, debris Agroec osystem. Land. Land used crops pasture, pasture, liv estock livestockthe adjacent uncultivated land land that other vegetation vegetation wildlife wildlife; and the atmosphere atmosphere, the soils groundwater, groun dwater, drainage networks AHERA Designated Person Designated Person ADPADPA person A person de signated a Local Education Agency Agency to ensure the AHERA requirements requirements asbestos management management abatement abatement are properly Air Binding AirSituation. Situation air air the filter media media and both the filtration filtration backwash processes Air Changes Air Changes Per Hour ACHACHThe movement The movement a volume volume air air a given period period time time; a house house one air change change hour it, it means the air air the house ho use will be replaced a one-hour period Air Cleaning AirIndoor-air quality-control strategy quality-control strategy t o various airborne particulates particulates and/gases g ases the air Most common methods common methods are filtration electrostatic precipitation electrostatic precipi tation, gas sorption Air Contaminant AirAny particulate matter particulate gas, gas, comb ination combination thereof, other water vapor vapor. (a ir pollutant air pollutant.Air CurtainA method A method of oil oil Air bubblin g Air bubbling a perforated pipe pipe an upward water fl ow flow that the spread spread oil It. It can also be used to fish fish from polluted water Ai r Exchange Rate ExchangeThe rate The rate at outside air air < NP>indoor air air in a space Air Gap AirOpen vertical gap vertical gap empty space space that drinking water supply supply to be protected another water s ystem system a treatment plant plant other location The open gap open gap the drinking water water cont amination contamination backflow backflow or back Air Ha ndling Unit HandlingEquipment. Equipment that a fan fan blower heating, heating and/or coils regulato r controls regulator controls, drain pans pans, air filt ers Air Mass. A large volume large volume air air certain meteorologic al or polluted characteristics -- e.g.a heat inversion heat inversion smogginess smogginess--while one location The characteristics The characteristics can change the air mass m oves moves Air Monitoring Air Monitoring. (monitoring. monitoringAir / Oil TableThe surface The surface the vadose zone zone ambient oil oilthe pressure pressure oil o il the porous medium medium is equal atmospheric pressure Air Padding Air Padding. dry air air a container container to assist the withdrawal withdrawal liquid or gas to force a liqu efied gas such chlorine chlorine out the container A ir Permeability AirPermeability. Permeability soil soil respect respect to air. Important the design design soil-gas surveys surveys. Measured darcys darcys or Air Plenum AirAny space Any space used to air air a building furnace, furnace, structure The space The sp ace above a ceiling ceiling is often used an air plenum Air Pollutant AirAny substance Any substance air air that could, h igh enough concentration harm man harm other animals other vegetation, vegetation, material Pollutants< /NP>. Pollutants may include any natural natural artificial c omposition composition airborne matter matter capable of bei ng They. They may be the form form solid particles liquid droplets liquid gases, gases, or combinat ion combination thereof. they, they fall two main groups groups. 11) those emitted directly identifiable sources sources and 22) those produced the air air int eraction interaction two two more primary pollutants pollutants, or reaction reaction normal atmospheric constit uents constituents, with or photoactivation photoactivation. Exclusive pollen pollen, fog, dust dust, which are natural origin origin, 100 contaminants contaminants have be en Air pollutants Air pollutants are often grouped categories categories ease ease classification classification some of he categories categories solids. sulfur compounds sulfur volatile organic chemicals or ganic particulate matter particulate nitrogen compounds nitrogen oxygen compounds oxygen halogen compounds halog enradioactive compound radioactive compound, odors A ir Pollution AirThe presence The presence contaminants contaminants pollutant substances substances the air air that interfere human health health welfare welfare, or other harmful environmental effects Air Pollution Control Device ControlMechanism. Mechanism equipment equipment that emissions emissions generated a source source e.g.an incinerator an industrial smokestack industrial smokestack, an automobile exhaust system system) b y pollutants pollutants that would otherwise be released the atmosphere Air Pollution Episode PollutionA period A period abnormally high conce ntration concentration air pollutants pollutants, often due low winds winds temperature inversion inversion, that ca n illness illness death death. (episode. po llution, pollution.Air Quality Control RegionAir Quality Standards QualityThe level The level pollutants pol lutants prescribed regulations regulations that are not be exceed ed during a time time in a area Air Quality Criteria QualityThe levels The levels pollution pol lution lengths lengths exposure exposure above adver se health health welfare effects effects may Air Spargin g Air Sparging. air air oxygen oxygen an aquifer aquifer to strip flush volatile contaminants contaminants air bubbles bubbles up The ground water water and is captured < NP>a vapor extraction system Air Stripping AirA treatment system treatment system that volatile organic compounds compounds VOCsVOCs) from ground water wat er surface water water by an airstream airstream the water water and the compounds compounds to Air Toxics AirAny air pollutant air pollutant for a national ambient air quality quality standard NAAQSNAAQS) does not exist (i.e., ozone carbon monoxide carbon PM - 10-sulfur dioxide sulfur nitrogen oxide nitrogen oxide) that may reas onably be anticipated to cancer cancer; respiratory, cardiovascul ar, developmental effects effectsreproductive dysfunctions neurological disorders neurological heritable gene mutatio ns gene mutations, other serious or irreversible chronic chr onic acute health effects effects humans Airborne Pa rticulates AirborneTotal. Total particulate matter matter found the atmosphere atmosphere solid particles particles liq uid droplets Chemical composition Chemical composition p articulates particulates varies widely, depending location l ocation time time year Sources. Sources airborne particulates particulates dust. emi ssions, emissions industrial processes combustion produc ts combustion products the burning burning wood woo d coal combustion products combustion products associate d motor vehicle vehicle non-road engine exhausts exhaust s, reactions reactions gases gases the atmosphere Airborne Release AirborneRelease. Release any pollutant pollutant the air Alachlor. A herbicide A herbicide, marketed the trade name Lasso L asso, used mainly to weeds weeds corn corn soy - bea n fields Alar. Trade name Trade name daminozide a pesticide a pesticide that apples apples redder, firmer, and less likely to d rop trees trees growers growers are ready to them It. It is also used a lesser extent extent peanut s tart , cherries cherries, concord grapes, and other fruits. Aldicarb. An insecticide sold under the trade name T emik. It is made from ethyl isocyanate. Algae. Simple rootless plants that grow in sunlit wa ters in proportion to the amount of available n utrients. They can affect water quality adversely b y lowering the dissolved oxygen in the water. They are food for fish and small aquatic animals . Algal Blooms. Sudden spurts of algal growth, wh ich can affect water quality adversely and - tially hazardous changes hazardous changes in local water chemistry. Algicide. Substance or chemical used specifical ly to kill or control algae. Aliquot. A measured portion of a sample taken f or analysis. One or more aliquots make up a sample. (See. duplicate.) Alkaline. The condition of water or soil which contains a sufficient amount of alkali substance to raise the pH above 7.0. Alkalinity. The capacity of bases to neutralize acids. An example is lime added to lakes to de crease acidity. Allergen. A substance that causes an allergic reacti on in individuals sensitive to it. Alluvial. Relating to and/or sand deposited by flowing < NP>water. Alternate Method. Any method of sampling and an alyzing for an air or water pollutant that is not a reference or equivalent method but that has been demonstrate d in specific cases-to EPA 's satisfaction-to produce results adequate for compliance monitoring. Alternative Compliance. A policy that allows facilit ies to choose among methods for achieving emission-reduc tion or risk-reduction instead of command-and control re gulations that specify standards and how to meet them. Use of a theoretical emissions bubble over a fac ility to cap the amount of pollution emitted while allowing the company to choose where and how (within the faci lity) it complies.(See. bubble, emissions tradi ng.) Alternative Fuels. Substitutes for traditional liqui d, oil-derived motor vehicle fuels like gasoline an d diesel. Includes mixtures of alcohol -based fuels< /NP> with gasoline, methanol, ethanol, compress ed natural gas, and others. Alternative Remedial Contract Strategy Contractors. Governmen t contractors who provide project management and technic al services to support remedial response activities at N ational Priorities List sites. Ambient Air. Any unconfined portion of the atmospher e. open air, surrounding air. Ambient Air Quality Standards. (See. Criteria Pollutants and National Ambient Air Quality Standards.) Ambient Measurement. A measurement of the concentrat ion of a substance or pollutant within the imme diate environs of an organism; taken to relate it t o the amount of possible exposure. Ambient Medium. Material surrounding or contacting a n organism (e.g., outdoor air, indoor air, water, or soil, through which chemicals or pollutants can reach the organism. (See. biological med ium, environmental medium.) Ambient Temperature. Temperature of the surrounding air or other medium. Amprometric Titration. A way of measuring concentrat ions of certain substances in water using an el ectric current that flows during a chemical reaction. Anaerobic. A life or process that occurs in, or is not destroyed by, the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic Decomposition. Reduction of the net energy level and change in chemical composition of or ganic matter caused by microorganisms in an oxygen-free environment. Animal Dander. Tiny scales of animal skin, a common indoor air pollutant. Animal Studies. Investigations using animals as surrogates for humans with the expectation tha t the results are pertinent to humans. Anisotropy. In hydrology, the conditions under which one or more hydraulic properties of an aquifer vary from a reference point. Annular Space, Annulus. The space between t wo concentric tubes or casings, or between the casing and the borehole wall. Antagonism. Interference or inhibition of t he effect of one chemical by the action of another. Antarctic "Ozone Hole". Refers to the seasonal deple tion of ozone in the upper atmosphere above a l arge area of Antarctica. (See. Ozone Hole.) Anti-Degradation Clause. Part of federal air quality and water quality requirements prohibiting deterioratio n where pollution levels are above the legal limit. Anti-Microbial. An agent that kills microbes. Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs). Any state or federal statute that pertains to protection of human life and the environment in addressing specific conditions or use of a part icular cleanup technology at a Superfund site, Applied Dose. In exposure assessment, the amount of a substance in contact with the primary absorpt ion boundaries of an organism (e.g., skin, lung tissue, gastrointestinal track) and available for absorption. Aqueous Solubility. The maximum concentration of a c hemical that will dissolve in pure water at a reference temperature. Aqueous. Something made up of water. Aquifer. An underground geological formation, or gro up of formations, containing water. Are sources of groundwater for wells and springs. Aquifer Test. A test to determine hydraulic properti es of an aquifer. Aquitard. Geological formation that may contain grou ndwater but is not capable of transmitting significant q uantities of it under normal hydraulic gradients. M ay function as confining bed. Architectural Coatings. Coverings such as paint and roof tar that are used on exteriors of building s. Area of Review. In the UIC program, the are a surrounding an injection well that is reviewed during the permitting process to determine if flow between aqui fers will be induced by the injection operation. Area Source. Any source of air pollution that i s released over a relatively small area but which cannot be class ified as a point source. Such sources may include ve hicles and other small engines, small businesses an d household activities, or biogenic sources such as a forest that releases hydrocarbons. Aromatics. A type of hydrocarbon, such as b enzene or toluene, with a specific type of ring structure. Aromatics are sometimes added to gasoline in order to increase octane. Some aromatics are toxic. Arsenicals. Pesticides containing arsenic. Artesian (Aquifer or Well). Water held under pressure in porous rock or soil confined by i mpermeable geo - logical formations. Asbestos. A mineral fiber that can pollute air or water and cause cancer or asbestosis when in haled. EPA has banned or severely restricted its use in manufacturing and construction. Asbestos Abatement. Procedures to control fiber rele ase from asbestos-containing materials in a building or to remove them entirely, including removal, enc apsulation, repair, enclosure, encasement, and opera - tions and maintenance programs. Asbestos Assessment. In the asbestos-in-schools program, the evaluation of the physical condition and potent ial for damage of all friable asbestos containing < NP>materials and thermal insulation systems. Asbestos Program Manager. A building owner or designated representative who supervises all aspects of the fa cility asbestos management and control program. Asbestos-Containing Waste Materials (ACWM). Mill tai lings or any waste that contains commercial asbestos and is generated by a source covered by the Clean Air Act A sbestos NESHAPS. Asbestosis. A disease associated with inhalation of asbestos fibers. The disease makes breathing pr ogres- sively more difficult and can be fatal. Ash. The mineral content of a product remaining after complete combustion. Assay. A test for a specific chemical, micr obe, or effect. Assessment Endpoint. In ecological risk assessment, an explicit expression of the environmental value to be prot ected; includes both an ecological entity and specific a ttributed thereof. entity (e.g., salmon are a v alued ecological entity; reproduction and population maintenance--the attribute -- form an assessment endpoi nt.) Assimilation. The ability of a body of wate r to purify itself of pollutants. Assimilative Capacity. The capacity of a natural bod y of water to receive wastewaters or toxic mate rials without deleterious effects and without damage to aquatic life or humans who consume the water. Association of Boards of Certification. An international orga nization representing boards which certify the operators of waterworks and wastewater facilities. Attainment Area. An area considered to have air qual ity as good as or better than the national ambient air quality st andards as defined in the Clean Air Act. An area ma y be an attainment area for one pollutant and a non- attainment area for others. Attenuation. The process by which a compound is reduced in concentration over time, through absorpt ion, adsorption, degradation, dilution, an d/or transformation. an also be the decrease wi th distance of sight caused by attenuation of < NP>light by particulate pollution. Attractant. A chemical or agent that lures insects or other pests by stimulating their sen se of smell. Attrition. Wearing or grinding down of a substance by friction. Dust from such processes contributes to air pollution. Availability Session. Informal meeting at a public l ocation where interested citizens can talk with EPA and state officials on a one-to-one basis. Available Chlorine. A measure of the amount of chlorine available in chlorinated lime, hypochlorite com - pounds, and other materials used as a source of chlorine when compared with that of liquid or ga seous chlorines. Avoided Cost. The cost a utility would incur to generate the next increment of electric capacity using its own resources; many landfill gas projects' buy b uy back rates based on avoided costs. costs ACScale Sound Level A A measurement sound sound the the sensitivity the the human ear us ed to note the the intensity annoyance annoyance level s ounds.