formaldehyde

Chemical Encyclopedia

arsenic

toxic heavy metal

Also Known As:

arsenic compounds, such as chromated copper arsenate (CCA), arsenic pentoxide, calcium arsenate, lead arsenate, sodium arsenate, arsenic trioxide, potassium arsenate

asbestos

mineral fibers that are similar to fiberglass, which can cause cancer

benzene

volatile organic compound (VOC) that is a known human carcinogen

benzophenone

sunscreen ingredient

bromethalin

toxic rodenticide that affects the nervous system

cadmium

heavy metal

Also Known As:

cadmium oxide, cadmium carbonate, cadmium chloride, cadmium nitrate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium sulfate, cadmium selenium sulfide, cadmium telluride

carbon monoxide

colorless, odorless, poisonous gas

Also Known As:

chlorine

highly corrosive gas

Also Known As:

chloramine, sodium hypochlorite, bleach, hydrochloric acid, trihalomethanes, disinfection byproducts

chlorpyrifos

Organophosphate insecticide, phased out for use in homes in 2000.

Also Known As:

Dursban^� and Lorsban^�

creosote

coal-tar wood preservative

Also Known As:

soot

dichloromethane

volatile organic compound used in paint strippers

Also Known As:

methylene chloride, MC, DCM, methylene bichloride, methylenedichloride

diesel exhaust

dioxins

organochlorine compounds

Also Known As:

2,3,7,8 -tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin

diphacinone

highly toxic rodenticide

Also Known As:

diphacin, ratindan, dipazin, diphenadione, diphenacin

environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)

smoke produced by burning tobacco products

Also Known As:

secondhand smoke. passive smoke

volatile organic compound that is a common indoor air pollutant

Also Known As:

formalin, urea formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde

glycols

lead

highly toxic metal once used in paints

mercury

toxic heavy metal

Also Known As:

elemental mercury, quicksilver, colloidal mercury, metallic mercury

methyl parathion

organophosphate pesticide

methyl tert butyl ether

volatile organic compound (VOC)

Also Known As:

MTBE

naphthalene

moth repellent

Also Known As:

mothballs, moth flakes, white tar, tar camphor

perchloroethylene

drycleaning fluid

Also Known As:

PCE, perc, tetrachloroethylene

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

toxic organochlorine compounds, once used as insulators in electrical equipment, that remain in the environment years after thei

Also Known As:

PCBs

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

particles formed when coal, oil, gas, garbage, tobacco and food are burned

Also Known As:

benzo[a]pyrene, BaP, PAH, PAHs

radon

naturally occurring radioactive gas that causes lung cancer; found in basements

toluene

industrial solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC)

Also Known As:

methylbenzene

trichloroethylene

solvent use in spot removers, adhesives and other products

Also Known As:

TCE

trihalomethanes (THMs)

Also Known As:

THMs, in drinking water reports: TTHMs, or total trihalomethanes

turpentine

a strong-smelling, flammable solvent made from the resin and oil of pine trees, used in paint thinners

Also Known As:

turpentine, oil of turpentine, terpene

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