Sensitizer

Any chemical that causes a substantial proportion of people to develop an allergic response to it after repeated exposures .

Soda Lye

(See sodium hydroxide)

Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate

(See chlorine)

Sodium Hydroxide

At room temperature, sodium hydroxide is a white crystalline odorless solid that absorbs moisture from the air. It is a manufactured substance. When dissolved in water or neutralized with acid it liberates substantial heat, which may be sufficient to ignite combustible materials. Sodium hydroxide is very corrosive. It is generally used as a solid or a 50% solution. Other common names include caustic soda and lye.

Sodium hydroxide is used to manufacture soaps, rayon, paper, explosives, dyestuffs, and petroleum products. It is also used in processing cotton fabric, laundering and bleaching, metal cleaning and processing, oxide coating, electroplating, and electrolytic extracting. It is commonly present in commercial drain and oven cleaners.

Sodium Hypochlorite

(See chlorine)

solvent

Organic solvents are oily liquids that evaporate more quickly than water. Used in paints, dry-cleaning fluids, pesticides and gasoline, solvents help to dissolve other chemicals and "deliver" liquids to a specific location. They can be highly toxic, especially to developing fetuses. Many solvents are neurotoxic, causing damage to the brain and nervous system.

Specific biocide

An antibacterial chemical that kills bacteria by targeting and interfering with very specific cellular functions. Because specific biocides mimic the strategies or antibiotics, bacteria can evolve in their presence and become resistant to them.

Stoddard Solvent

Stoddard solvent is a colorless, flammable liquid that smells and tastes like kerosene. It will turn into a vapor at temperatures of 150-200°C.

Stoddard solvent is a petroleum mixture that is also known as dry cleaning safety solvent, petroleum solvent, and varnoline; its registered trade names are Texsolve S® and Varsol 1®. It is a chemical mixture that is similar to white spirits.

Stoddard solvent is used as a paint thinner; in some types of photocopier toners, printing inks, and adhesives; as a dry cleaning solvent; and as a general cleaner and degreaser.

Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) the Public Health Service, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Surfactants

A general term for Surface Active Agents. It is the term used to describe the active cleaning agents in a product. Conventional products use synthetic surfactants often derived from petroleum.

Found in: Conventional laundry products, all-purpose cleaners, dish detergent and dish liquids, and other common cleaning products.
etrapotassium pyrophosphate/Tetrasodium pyrophosphate
Basic phosphates (tetrasodium being the more common of the two) used to reduce water hardness. (See phosphates above)

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

Synthesis

The process that occurs when the substances in different products accidentally or intentionally come into contact with each other and chemically combine to create brand new unanticipated compounds.

Systemic Pesticide

A chemical absorbed by an organism that interacts with the organism and makes the organism toxic to pests.