Cancer

Any one of a group of diseases that occur when cells in the body become abnormal and grow or multiply out of control.

Carbamate

A class of pesticides (primarily insecticides, but also includes fungicides and herbicides) that impact the central nervous system and brain by blocking an enzyme crucial to nerve transmission. Carbamates are among the most widely used pesticides in the world. However, very little research exists on their effects on animals and humans or long-term toxicity.

Carcinogen

Any substance that can cause or aggravate cancer.

Caustic Soda

(see sodium hydroxide)

Caution

A regulated term, which when used on the labels of chemical consumer products indicates that more than one ounce must be ingested before life threatening symptoms will occur.

Certified Organic

National Organic Standards developed and finalized in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assure shoppers that foods marketed as certified organic "meet consistent, uniform growing and production guidelines." Beginning on October 21, 2002, producers and handlers must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent to sell, label, or represent their products as either "100 percent organic," "organic," or "made with organic (ingredients or food)."

Certified Sustainable Wood

Timber products that have been certified by an agency to demonstrate that the wood has been farmed and harvested in a manner that maintains the integrity of forest ecosystems relative to other practices.

Chemical Hypersensitivity

The condition of being sensitized to a chemical.

Chlorinated Compound

Any compound or chemical that contains chlorine atoms. Chlorinated compounds tend to exhibit the characteristics of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. In fact, most chlorinated chemicals are classified as POPs.

Chlorine

At room temperature, chlorine is a yellow-green gas that is heavier than air and has a strong irritating odor. It can be converted to a liquid under pressure or cold temperatures.

Chlorine is mainly used as bleach in the manufacture of paper and cloth and to make a wide variety of products.

Chlorophene

(See O-benzyl-p-chlorophenol )

Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)

CCA, 22 percent pure arsenic combined with chromium and copper, is injected into wood at high pressure to prevent rot and insect damage. The arsenic migrates to the surface of treated wood, where it can be picked up on hands and then ingested. (This is a particular concern with children playing on playgrounds, where CCA treated wood is common.) Arsenic can also contaminate the soil under and surrounding treated wood. CCA was the most common wood preservative and pesticide used in the United States. Fortunately, as a result of consumer pressure to review its safety, the EPA and the treated wood industry agreed to a ban on CCA in outdoor wood intended for consumer use by the end of 2003.

Chronic

Chronic Effect: An adverse effect on a human or animal in which symptoms recur frequently or develop slowly over a long period of time.

Chronic Exposure: Multiple exposures occurring over an extended period of time or over a significant fraction of an animal's or human's lifetime (Usually seven years to a lifetime.)

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Community members purchase a share in a local organic farm's operation at the start of each growing season, or a subscription" to the farm for a set period of time. In return, members receive fresh produce directly from their grower every week during harvest season (usually June through November). Payment is usually made up front to help cover growers' costs. CSAs provide markets for small farmers, funds for farmers to start out the growing season, and inexpensive seasonal fresh (often picked that day) produce for consumers.

Crystalline silica

Crystalline silica is carcinogenic and acts as an eye, skin and lung irritant.

Found in: Conventional all-purpose cleaners.