p-Dichlorobenzene

(See Paradichlorobenzene)

Paradichlorobenzene

(also p-Dichlorobenzene, PDCB)

A chlorinated synthetic of extreme chronic toxicity and environmental concern. Paradichlorobenzene is an endocrine disrupter and carcinogen. It does not readily biodegrade.

Found in: Mothballs and deodorizers.

PDCB

(See Paradichlorobenzene)

Perchloroethylene

(also "Perc")

A chlorinated solvent used most commonly in the dry cleaning process, "perc" is implicated in 90% of all groundwater contamination.

Found in: Conventional degreasers, spot removers, dry cleaning fluids.

Persistence

Refers to the length of time a compound stays in the environment, once introduced. A compound may persist for less than a second or indefinitely.

persistent organic pollutant (POP)

Chemicals that don’t break down in the environment for long periods of time, accumulate in living tissue of plants and animals, and can travel in the air for long distances . POPs have been linked to adverse effects on human health and animals, such as cancer, damage to the nervous system, reproductive disorders, and disruption of the immune system. POPs can be found in soil, sediment, food, wildlife and humans. The amount in plants and animals tends to magnify up the food chain, so that predatory animals have the highest concentrations. There is a global effort underway to reduce emissions of POPs.

Pesticide

Substances or mixture there of intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest. Also, any substance or mixture intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.

pesticide residues

Pesticide residues are the small amounts of pesticides that remain on surfaces, food, water, air and soils, after a pesticide application. While some pesticides break down rapidly into less toxic compounds, others like DDT persist for decades and can travel on air, in water and through the food chain.

petrochemical

An intermediate chemical derived from petroleum, hydrocarbon liquids, or natural gas.

Petroleum

Crude oil or any fraction thereof that is liquid under normal conditions of temperature and pressure. The term includes petroleum-based substances comprising a complex blend of hydrocarbons derived from crude oil through the process of separation, conversion, upgrading, and finishing, such as motor fuel, jet oil, lubricants, petroleum solvents, and used oil.

Petroleum Distillates

(also naphthas)

A broad category encompassing almost every type of chemical obtained directly from the petroleum refining process. Any ingredient listed as a "petroleum distillate" or "naphtha" should be suspect as it is, firstly a synthetic and, secondly, likely to cause one or more detrimental health or environmental effect.

Petroleum-Based Waxes

A broad category of synthetic waxes. Although they may appear in products like Butcher's wax, typically these are used for polishing or waxing in conjunction with a solvent and a spray. Once sprayed, the solvent evaporates (creating air toxins) and leaves the wax behind as a residue. Additionally, spraying is an inefficient way to apply a product and ingredients that rely on it for dispersal are suspect.

Found in: Conventional furniture polishes and floor waxes.

phenoxy

A class of herbicides that act as synthetic plant hormones. Phenoxy herbicides include 2,4-D, one of the most widely used herbicides in the U.S., and the banned 2,4,5-T (Agent Orange).

Phosphates

Certain chemical compounds containing phosphorus.

Phosphoric Acid

(also mataphosphoric acid, orthophosphoric acid)

Phosphoric acid is included as a toxic chemical on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list. It is also controlled under the Clean Air Act as an air pollutant. OSHA regulates the maximum allowable levels in the workplace to protect workers.

Found in: Conventional bathroom cleaners.

Polycarboxylates

Similar in chemical structure to certain plastics and acrylic compounds, these are relatively new, synthetic phosphate substitutes. Because they are recent additions to the consumer product chemical arsenal, however, their effects on human and environmental health remain largely unknown. Though tests show they are non-toxic, do not interfere with treatment plant operation and generally settle out with the sludge during water treatment, until further study and analysis are conducted, use of this ingredient is not recommended. Further, they are not biodegradable and are petroleum based.

Found in: Conventional laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners and dishwasher detergents.

Polyethylene glycol

(also PEG)

Another type of anti-redeposition agent, PEG is a polymer made from ethylene oxide and is similar to some non-ionic detergents. Not considered toxic, it takes large doses to be lethal in animals. However, PEG is slow to degrade and is synthetic.

Potentiation

The ability of one chemical to increase the effect of another chemical.

Precautionary Principle

When information about potential risks is incomplete, basing decisions about the best ways to manage or reduce risks on a preference for avoiding unnecessary health risks instead of on unnecessary economic expenditures.

preservative

Substance added to food or other plant-based material (such as wood) to keep it fresh longer, extend shelf life or create the illusion of freshness. Long transportation distances or storage times make preservation necessary. Preservatives are usually antimicrobials, which prevent mold or bacteria from growing, or antioxidants, which block normal chemical reactions to oxygen, such as discoloration. They won’t mask inferior quality, however.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

A tough, environmentally indestructible plastic that releases hydrochloric acid when burned.

Pyrethrin

Pyrethrins are naturally-occurring compounds with insecticidal properties that are found in pyrethrum extract from certain chrysanthemum flowers. The pyrethrins are often used in household insecticides and products to control insects on pets or livestock.

Pyrethroid

Pyrethroids are manufactured chemicals that are very similar in structure to the pyrethrins, but are often more toxic to insects as well as to mammals, and last longer in the environment than the pyrethrins. More than 1,000 synthetic pyrethroids have been developed, but less than a dozen of them are currently used in the United States. Permethrin is the most frequently used pyrethroid in the United States.

pyrethrum

An extract of chrysanthemum flowers made up of pyrethrins, compenents that are harmful to insects. Pyrethrum is used in some pesticides and may be promoted as a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides. This does not mean it is any safer, however. Pyrethroid insecticides are synthetic versions of pyrethrum.