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Chemical Profiles

arsenic

toxic heavy metal

Also Known As:

arsenic compounds, such as chromated copper arsenate (CCA), arsenic pentoxide, calcium arsenate, lead arsenate, sodium arsenate, arsenic trioxide, potassium arsenate

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asbestos

mineral fibers that are similar to fiberglass, which can cause cancer

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benzene

volatile organic compound (VOC) that is a known human carcinogen

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benzophenone

sunscreen ingredient

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bromethalin

toxic rodenticide that affects the nervous system

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cadmium

heavy metal

Also Known As:

cadmium oxide, cadmium carbonate, cadmium chloride, cadmium nitrate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium sulfate, cadmium selenium sulfide, cadmium telluride

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carbon monoxide

colorless, odorless, poisonous gas

Also Known As:

CO

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chlorine

highly corrosive gas

Also Known As:

chloramine, sodium hypochlorite, bleach, hydrochloric acid, trihalomethanes, disinfection byproducts

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chlorpyrifos

Organophosphate insecticide, phased out for use in homes in 2000.

Also Known As:

Dursban® and Lorsban®

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creosote

coal-tar wood preservative

Also Known As:

soot

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dichloromethane

volatile organic compound used in paint strippers

Also Known As:

methylene chloride, MC, DCM, methylene bichloride, methylenedichloride

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diesel exhaust

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dioxins

organochlorine compounds

Also Known As:

2,3,7,8 -tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin

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diphacinone

highly toxic rodenticide

Also Known As:

diphacin, ratindan, dipazin, diphenadione, diphenacin

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environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)

smoke produced by burning tobacco products

Also Known As:

secondhand smoke. passive smoke

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formaldehyde

volatile organic compound that is a common indoor air pollutant

Also Known As:

formalin, urea formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde

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glycols

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lead

highly toxic metal once used in paints

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mercury

toxic heavy metal

Also Known As:

elemental mercury, quicksilver, colloidal mercury, metallic mercury

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methyl parathion

organophosphate pesticide

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methyl tert butyl ether

volatile organic compound (VOC)

Also Known As:

MTBE

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naphthalene

moth repellent

Also Known As:

mothballs, moth flakes, white tar, tar camphor

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perchloroethylene

drycleaning fluid

Also Known As:

PCE, perc, tetrachloroethylene

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polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

toxic organochlorine compounds, once used as insulators in electrical equipment, that remain in the environment years after thei

Also Known As:

PCBs

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polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

particles formed when coal, oil, gas, garbage, tobacco and food are burned

Also Known As:

benzo[a]pyrene, BaP, PAH, PAHs

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radon

naturally occurring radioactive gas that causes lung cancer; found in basements

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toluene

industrial solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC)

Also Known As:

methylbenzene

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trichloroethylene

solvent use in spot removers, adhesives and other products

Also Known As:

TCE

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trihalomethanes (THMs)

Also Known As:

THMs, in drinking water reports: TTHMs, or total trihalomethanes

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turpentine

a strong-smelling, flammable solvent made from the resin and oil of pine trees, used in paint thinners

Also Known As:

turpentine, oil of turpentine, terpene

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