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.

Persistent

A term used to describe compounds able to resist the natural forces of decomposition and remain intact in the environment once released. Persistent chemicals are not readily biodegradable and instead maintain their ability to cause harm long after their manufacture and use.

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

Any substance that prevents, destroys or repels an unwanted organism, including insects, weeds, fungi, bacteria, viruses, rodents and other animals. Some pesticides are targeted to specific pests, while others may harm a variety of pests.

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 distillates

Petroleum, a thick, natural oil obtained beneath the earth, consists of various hydrocarbons, a class of chemicals containing both hydrogen and carbon. Petroleum distillates, also called hydrocarbons or petrochemicals, refer to a broad range of compounds, which are extracted by distillation during the refining of crude oil.

Petroleum distillates are found in a wide variety of consumer-products including lip gloss, liquid gas, fertilizer, furniture polish, pesticides, plastics, paint thinners, solvents, motor oil, fuels and hundreds of other products. Petroleum distillates listed commonly on labels of general household products are those that distill off around naphthas. Chlorinated Solvent: An organic solvent containing chlorine atoms (e.g. methylene chloride and 1,1,1-trichloromethane). Uses of chlorinated solvents include aerosol spray containers, highway paints, and dry cleaning fluids.

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

A key nutrient in ecosystems, phosphates are natural minerals important to the maintenance of all life. Their role in laundry detergents is to remove hard water minerals and thus increase the effectiveness of the detergents themselves. They are also a deflocculating agent; that is, they prevent dirt from settling back onto clothes during washing. While relatively non-irritating and non-toxic in the environment, they nonetheless contribute to significant eutrophication of waterways and create unbalanced ecosystems by fostering dangerously explosive marine plant growth. For these reasons they are banned or restricted in many states. Products containing phosphates should be considered unacceptable. Almost all conventional dishwasher detergents contain phosphates.

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

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 process by which interactions between the chemicals found in different products enhance the potential for harm of some or all of the individual chemicals involved.

Precautionary principle

An important new environmental philosophy and regulatory framework in which places the burden of proof for the safety of an activity or product on its proponents rather than its opponents. Until the safety can be proven, the Precautionary Principle states that safety measures should be taken even if direct evidence that the activity or product may cause harm is lacking and only suspicions exist. The precautionary measures that should be confirmed.

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 white, water-insoluble, thermoplastic resin, derived by the polymerization of vinyl chloride: used chiefly for thin coatings, insulation, and pipings. Commonly referred to as vinyl, it is one of the most hazardous consumer products on the market. PVC is dangerous to human health and the environment throughout its entire life cycle: at the factory, in our homes, and in the trash.  Some chemicals that are released during the PVC lifecycle are mercury, dioxins, and phthalates, which have been proven to be harmful to human health.

pyrethrin

A componenent of pyrethrum, a natural extract of chrysanthemum flowers. Permethrins have insecticidal properties and have long been used as a pesticide. Though they are natural, they are NOT harmless. Pyrethroid insecticides are synthetic versions of pyrethrum.

pyrethroid

Synthetic insecticides that are structurally similar to pyrethrum, which comes from chrysanthemum flowers and has pesticidal properties. Pyrethroids, however, are modified to increase stability. Pyrethroids penetrate insects and paralyze them. They are often combined with piperonyl butoxide, a fairly toxic chemical that enhances the action of the pyrethroid insecticide.

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.