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

(also lye, caustic soda, white caustic, soda lye)

Sodium hydroxide is derived from the electrolysis of brine sea water as a co-product of chlorine. It is a strong, caustic substance and causes severe corrosive damage to eyes, skin and mucous membranes, as well as the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. Injury can be immediate. Blindness is reported in animals exposed to as little as 2% dilution for just one minute. Skin is typically damaged by 0.12% dilutions for a period of one hour. Tests with healthy volunteers exposed to the chemical in spray from oven cleaners showed that respiratory tract irritation developed in 2 to 15 minutes. Sodium hydroxide is included as a toxic chemical on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list. It is also a controlled substance in the workplace, and OSHA has set limitations on concentrations in the air.

Found in: Conventional oven cleaners, drain 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

A petroleum distillate used as a solvent and degreaser. (See kerosene)

Found in: Conventional all-purpose cleaners and abrasives.

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 pesticide that is taken up by a plant through its roots or leaves. The chemicals become distributed throughout the plant and will be found throughout the plant's tissues, including its fruit/vegetables. These pesticides cannot be washed or peeled off.