RSI Corporation - Miscellaneous Info.

Miscellaneous Information:

Glossary of Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ABSORPTION
Exposure to hazardous substances by transfer directly through the skin

ABSORPTION OIL
A hydrocarbon liquid used to absorb and recover components form natural gas

ACGIH
American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists. An organization that focuses upon occupational health and safety. ACGIH develops and publishes recommended hazardous substance exposure limits

ACIDS
Substances with low pH values (0-6) and are corrosive. They have potentials to destroy living tissues, dissolve metals and other substances. RCRA regulates hazardous waste acids at pH 2 or less

ACID GAS
A gas that forms an acid when it is mixed with water. In petroleum production and processing, the most common acid gases are hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide

ACS
American Chemical Society

ACUTE TOXICITY
Injury or illness manifested from single exposures to a substance

ADSORPTION
Molecular adhesion (sticking) such as the attachment of organic substances in liquid and vapor, as it passes through carbon filters

AEC
Atomic Energy Commission-In 1975 regulatory responsibility was given to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Weapons production and research activities were given to the Energy Research and Development Administration

AEROSOL
Fine particles of substances that diffuse in air and settle as sedimentary layers in the environment

AIR-LINE RESPIRATOR
Continuous air supplied from a compressed air source

AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATOR
a respirator that uses chemicals or filters to remove particulate matter and vapors. It is limited for use in atmospheres containing greater than 19.5% oxygen and in air contaminant concentrations within rated levels for the specific device

ALKALIES
Substances with pH values > 7

ALLERGEN
A substance capable of causing an allergic reaction

ALLERGY/SENSITIVITY
A reaction to a substance that has an affect upon the immune system such as over-formation of antibodies. [dermatitis, anaphylactic shock, hives….]

ALLOY
Mixtures created by melting metals together and by combining polymers and polymer compounds

ALPHA PARTICLE
Large radioactive particle, has a mass value of 4 amu and is the size of a helium atom. This particle can be encapsulated by a sheet of paper or plastic. It can be destructive to internal human and animal tissues

AMINE
Any of several compounds such as, but not limited to monoethanolamine (MEA), employed in treating natural gas. The amines are generally used in water solutions to remove hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from gas and liquid streams

AMU
Atomic Mass Unit

ANION
Ions with a negative (-) charge

ANSI
American National Standards Institute, a private organization that develops standards for equipment and recommends safe practices for hazardous operations and others

ANTIDOTE
A substance that will stop or reverse the affect of a toxic substance

APPERANCE (Chemical)
A physical description of a substance that includes color, liquid, solid, vapor, gas, morphology and consistency

APR
Air purified respirator, a chemical cartridge respirator. Use requires proper fit, training and the user must be medically fit to wear it. Your instructor will discuss limitations and liabilities for using this kind of respirator

AQTX
Aquatic Toxicity

ASPESTOS
A mineral fiber used for insulation that can pollute air or water and cause cancer or asbestosis when inhaled. EPA has banned or restricted its use in manufacturing and construction and regulates its disposalASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTHMA
Constriction of the airways to the lungs, producing symptoms of cough and shortness of breath. Can be related to allergic reaction

ASPHYXIANT
A substance that can cause unconsciousness or death due to the lack of oxygen

ATMOSPHERIC TESTING
Above ground testing of nuclear devices

ATOM
Smallest part of an element that can be identified as a specific element. Atoms consist of protons (+) and neutrons (0) in a nucleus which is surrounded by electrons (-)

ATOMIC NUMBER
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom

ATOMIC WEIGHT
Relative weight of an atom which consists of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE
A temperature that a substance will burn without external ignition sources

BACK-DRAFT
An explosion caused by the influx of air into heated mixtures of gases. At least one gas in the mixture was heated above the ignition temperature

BASE
A substance that contains hydroxide ion (OH), see alkalies

BASIC SEDIMENT AND WATER (BS&W)
The water and other extraneous material present in crude oil

BEI
Biological exposure index, the maximum recommended value of substance in the body fluids, tissues, or exhaled air

BETA PARTICLE
Emission of radiation by decay, a reaction seen in many radio nuclides. A beta particle is identical to an electron, and has a short range in air with low penetration potential

BINARY COMPOUND
Chemical that contains only 2 elements

BIODEGRADABLE
A substance that has the potential to be consumed or chemically altered by living things

BIO-HAZARD
Biological sources of hazards such as pathogenic organisms and hazardous by products generated by micro-organisms

BIOLOGICAL HALF LIFE
The time taken for a living system to eliminate one half the dosage of a hazardous substance

BLASTING AGENT
Materials that are not usually considered explosives, that are relatively insensitive to heat and shock. These materials usually require special procedures to cause them to explode (Ammonium Nitrate + Fuel Oil)

BLEVE
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion

BLOOD ASPHYXIANT
Substances that interfere with the ability of red blood cells to carry and release oxygen to the tissues in the body

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

BODY BURDEN
Total quantity of radio nuclide in the body

BOILING POINT
The temperature at which a liquid becomes a vapor at a given pressure

BONDING
Chemical bonding involves attachment of elements (atoms) to form molecules by ionic, electrovalent, attraction and by covalent, sharing of electrons

BOTTOM
Liquids and residue, such as heave hydrocarbons, solids, sand, and emulsions that collect in the bottom of treating vessel or remain in the bottom of storage tank after a period of service. Residual fractions remaining in the bottom of a fractionating tower after lighter components have been distilled off as vapors

BRISANCE
"Explosive Power" The surrounding effects of an explosion

BUFFER
Substances that reduce changes in hydrogen ion concentration, a mechanism of pH control

CARCINOGEN
A substance capable of causing cancer

CAS NUMBER
An internationally recognized numerical chemical identification system (Chemical Abstracts Service)

CATALYST
A substance that causes a change in a chemical reaction, but it is not changed by the reaction

CAUSTIC
An alkali that strongly irritates, corrodes or destroys living tissues

CEILING
Maximum exposure limit for airborne hazardous substances – not to be exceededCELL – The structure unit that living tissues are made of. There are many types of cells such as nerve cells, muscle cells, blood cells, skin and mucosa cells [each type of cell performs a specific function]

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Includes the brain and spinal cord, which controls activities for the entire nervous system

CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act. The Federal law that created funding for cleaning up abandoned and uncontrolled hazardous wastes sites, SARA /Superfund

CFR
Code of federal regulations, Designation of federal regulations that includes: EPA Regulations, 40 CFR; OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR; DOT Regulations, 49 CFR

CHAIN REACTION
Self-sustaining nuclear fission reactions. Neutrons produced by fission stimulates more fission. Essential to the function of weapons and nuclear reactors

CHARACTERISTICALLY HAZARDOUS WASTE
Waste that is regulated by RCRA Subtitle C as hazardous waste characteristics

CHEMTREC
Chemical Transportation Emergency Center, operated by the Chemical Manufacturers Association, a service for emergency support 1-800-424-9300

CHEMICAL COMPOUND
Proportional arrangement by weight, of two or more elements such that the properties differ from the individual elements

CHEMICAL FAMILY
Elements or compounds that have a common general name

CHEMICAL NAME
Scientific designation of a substance that may include listing by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) or the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS)

CHEMICAL REACTION
Change of chemical composition and properties by forming new bonds and structures

CHEMICAL SEPARATION (nuclear reprocessing)
A method for extracting uranium and plutonium from spent nuclear products. Extracted fission products are high level wastes

CHEMISTRY
The science of matter, energy and reactions

CHROMOSOME
A portion of a cell that contains genetic material

CHRONIC EXPOSURE
Long-term exposure to hazardous substances. Adverse effects upon living systems seen after exposures over a long period of time

CLEAN AIR ACT (CAA) AMENDMENTS
1990 amendments to CAA expanding EPA enforcement powers and adding restrictions on air toxins, ozone-depleting chemicals, stationary and mobile emissions sources, and emissions implicated in creating acid rain and global warming

CLEAN AIR ACT (EPA)
Federal law enacted to, regulate, clean up and prevent air pollution

CLEAN WATER ACT (EPA)
Federal law enacted to, regulate, clean up and prevent water pollution

CLEVELAND OPEN CUP
A method for determining flash point of a ignitable liquid

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR)
Regulations based on federal statue; reference notation is "[volume number] CFR (Code of Federal Regulation)[part, section]." For example 29 CFR 1910.120

COMBUSTIBLE
A substance that has a flash point at temperatures exceeding 100 degrees F

COMMON CHEMICAL NAME
Chemical identification such as a code name, number, trade or brand name, and generic name(s) other than the chemical name

COMPREHENSIVE ENVIROMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA)
1980 Federal law authorizing identification and remediation of unsupervised hazardous waste sites and spill reporting. (Also called Superfund)

COMPRESSED GAS
A gas or mixture of gases in a container with pressure of at least 40 pounds per square inch at 70 degrees Fahrenheit; or a gas or mixture of gases in a container with an absolute pressure exceeding 104 psi at 130 degrees Fahrenheit; or a liquid with a vapor pressure that exceeds 40 psi at 100 degrees Fahrenheit

CONCENTRATION
The amount of a given substance as compared to its mixture ratio with other substances

CONFINED SPACE
A space with limited access, that is not normally inhabited, is difficult to enter and exit. A permit required space is a confined space that contains hazards or has associated hazards that may effect employee safety while working within

CONTAMINANT
Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter that has an adverse affect on air, water, or soil, or a harmful, irritating, or nuisance material in concentrations exceeding those normally found in the ambient air, water, or soil

CONTAMINATED
The presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface

CONTAMINATION
Deposition of hazardous substances on surfaces, people, structures and objects

CORROSION
A complex chemical or electrochemical process by which metal is destroyed (e.g., between water and pipes that the water contacts, chemicals touching a metal surface, or contact between two metals)

CORROSIVE
RCRA (40 CFR 261.22) defines corrosivity as having a pH #2 or $12.5 or being able to corrode steel at a rate greater than 6.35 mm per year. A substance with potential to destroy human and plant tissue, or dissolve metal

COVALENT BONDING
Chemical bonding involving sharing electrons

CRACKING
Breaking apart chemical bonds, i.e. Carbon

CRYOGENIC
Substances with extremely cold temperatures, Boiling cryogenic gases [<-150 degrees F]

CPSC
Consumer Products Safety Commission

CUBIC METER
A standard measure of volume, usually related to concentrations of substances in air. One cubic meter is equal to 35.3 cubic feet, 1.3 cubic yards, or one million cubic centimeters

CUTANEOUS HAZARDS
Chemicals that damage or irritate the skin

CURIE
A measure of radioactivity. 1 curie = 37 billion radioactive decays per second

CYANOSIS
Blue coloring of the skin, indicating the lack of oxygen

DAUGHTER
A nuclide formed by radioactive decay or by a decay product

DECAY (Radioactive)
Spontaneous emission of particles and energy from the nucleus of an unstable atom

DECOMPOSITION
Chemical breakdown of materials into simple parts such as compounds or elements or atoms

DECONTAMINATION
The use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy bloodborne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal

DECON (decontamination)
Removal and disposal of hazardous pollutants

DEEP WELL INJECTION
(Geologic Repository) disposal of waste products deep beneath the earth’s surface

DENSITY
Mass or weight per unit volume of substance, D=M/V

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)
The United States agency that enforces regulations governing the transport of hazardous and nonhazardous materials, including transportation by pipelines

DERMAL
Relating to the skin….

DOE
Department of Energy, 1977 was created from the Research and Development Administration and other Federal functions. It is responsible for production of nuclear weapons, energy research, and clean up of waste sites that are under its authority

DOSE
A specified amount of radiation or toxic substance that is absorbed by a living system

DOT
U.S. Department of Transportation

DOT PROPER HAZARDOUS SHIPPING NAME
hazardous material name listed in 49 CFR 172, table 101. Includes hazard class, United Nations Number or North American Number, and Packing Group Number

EDEMA
Swelling of living tissues due to water or fluid accumulation

ELEMENT
A substance composed of entirely one kind of atom. Elements are designated by chemical symbols

ENDOTHERMIC REACTION
A Chemical reaction that absorbs heat

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION
Release of hazardous substance that causes pollution to the environment

ENVIRONEMNTAL MANAGEMENT
A Department of Energy organization that is responsible to oversee nuclear environmental clean up efforts

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
1970, Federal agency responsible for enforcing environmental laws

EPIDEMIOLOGY
The study of a pattern of disease that may spread within a population of humans or animals

EMULSION
The dispersion of fine particles of an immiscible liquid and/or solids with another liquid in which the particles are suspended. A mixture of crude oil and formation water commonly creates an emulsion. It generally requires time, heat, and in some cases, chemicals to separate water and oil emulsions

ENHANCED RECOVERY
Efforts to increase ultimate production of oil and gas from a reservoir. This term will be considered to encompass other nomenclature in common usage such as pressure maintenance, secondary recovery, and tertiary recovery. All enhanced recovery techniques include methods for supplementing natural reservoir forces and energy, or otherwise increasing ultimate recovery. Such techniques include water injection, gas injection, gas cycling, and miscible chemicals and thermal processes

EVAPORATION
A process of changing a liquid to a vapor and mixing it into the surrounding environment

EVAPORATION POND
An aqueous liquid waste holding area that becomes concentrated as waste if evaporated

EVAPORATION RATES
Based upon ethyl ether = 1; Fast Evaporators are >3, Medium Evaporators are .8 to 3.0 and Slow Evaporating Substances are <.8

EXOTHERMIC REACTION
A chemical reaction that liberates or releases heat

EXPLOSIVE LIMITS
Concentration ranges of substances mixed in air that can result in an explosion or fire

EXPOSURE INCIDENT
A specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee’s duties

FILTRATION
A treatment process for removing solid (particulate) matter from a fluid by passing the fluid through porous media such as sand or a man-made filter

FISSION
Splitting apart the nucleus of a heavy atom. Usually caused by absorption of a neutron, results in the liberation of large amounts of energy and at least one neutron

FLAMMABLE
Substances that will readily ignite. Liquid = Flash point <100 degrees F Solid = Defined in 29 CFR 1910.109 (e), potential to cause fire and burn vigorously. Gas = Form flammable mixtures with air, at less than 13 % concentration. EPA and DOT requires ignitable liquids, with flash points of 140 degrees F and lower, to be labeled flammable

FLAMMABLE (explosive) LIMITS
Lower explosion limits (LEL): Minimum concentration of a substance allowing it to ignite or explode. Upper explosion limits: Concentration of a substance that will "flood out" and prevent burning or explosion

FLASH POINT
Lowest temperature at which a substance will emit enough vapors to burn or explode when an ignition source is present

FRACTURING FLUID
Materials used in formation fracturing well stimulation process

FUME
Airborne dispersion of a hazardous substance

FUME FEVER
An acute condition caused from exposure to metal and metal oxide fumes

FUSION
A reaction that occurs when the nuclei of lighter elements combine to form the nucleus of a heavier element, which releases large amounts of energy

GAMMA RADIATION
High energy emission of deeply penetrating electromagnetic radiation form the decay of radio nuclides

GENE
A part of a chromosome that carries a particular inherited characteristic

GENERAL EXHAUST
Ventilation of air contaminants from a general work area

GLYCOL
Group of compounds used to dehydrate gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons or to limit hydrocarbons or to inhibit the formation of hydrates. Commonly used glycols are ethylene glycol (EG) diethlyene glycol (DEG), and triethylene glycol (TEG)

GRAM
A metric measure of weight, 28.4 grams = 1 oz

GROUNDING
Attachment of wire to equalize electrical potential between at least 2 electrically conductive containers

GROUND WATER
Fresh water found under the surface of the earth in aquifers. Ground water is used for supplying wells and feed springs

HALF LIFE
The time required for one half of a given number of atoms to disintegrate (decay). Every isotope has its own half life properties some may last only a fraction of a second, and others lasting billions of years

HALOGEN CHEMICALS
Containing Chlorine, Fluorine, Bromine and Iodine….

HANDWASHING FACILITIES
A facility providing an adequate supply of running potable water, soap and single use towels or hot air drying machines

HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
Constituents of a mixture that by themselves, may cause injury or damage to living systems or to the environment

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
Any substance having properties capable of causing harm or damage to living systems, or to the environment

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION ACT (HMTA)
Any substance designated or listed in the following sources, exposure to which results or may result in adverse affects on the health & safety of employees:
Any substance defined under section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Any biological agent and other disease-causing agent as defined in section 101 (33) of CERCLA
Any substance listed by the U.S. Department of Transportation as hazardous materials under 49 CFR 172.101 and appendices

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Synonymous with hazardous materials for most practical purposes. The Department Transportation considers a hazardous material a hazardous substance when the amount of the material, in one container, equals or exceeds the Reportable Quantity [RQ]

HAZARDOUS WASTE
Solid waste that may pose a substantial or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly managed. IT possesses at least one of four characteristics (ignitability, corrosively, reactivity, or toxicity) and/or is listed as a hazardous waste as defined in 40 CFR 261

HAZARDOUS WASTE CHARACTERISTICS
Any one of the four categories used in defining characteristically hazardous waste, which include: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity (defined in 40 CFR 261.20-261.24)

HEAVY WATER
Water that has deuterium atoms in place of hydrogen atoms

HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
The mechanism of forming blood in the human body

HEPATOTOXIN
Substances that damage the liver

HIGH LEVEL WASTE
A hazardous waste that contains highly radioactive products or other concentrated hazardous properties

HYDRATE
Solid material resulting from the combination of a hydrocarbon with water under pressure

HYDROGEN
The simplest element or atom. [2 isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium are used in nuclear weapons]

HYDROCARBONS
The building blocks of organic substances, composed primarily of hydrogen and carbon

HYGROSCOPIC
Moisture absorbing substances

IDLH
Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health, an environment that is very hazardous due to high concentrations of toxic substances and or insufficient amounts of oxygen

IGNITABLE
As a measure characterizing hazardous waste, ignitable applies to a liquid having a flash point less then 140 degrees F

IGNITION TEMPERATURE
The lowest temperature that a substance will burn

IMMISCIBLE
Substances that will not mix together

INCOMPATIBLE
Substances that produce dangerous reactions when mixed

INERT GAS
A gas that does not react with other substances

INGESTION
Eating or taking internally, a mode of exposure to hazardous substances

INHALATION
Breathing in, one of the fastest modes of exposure to hazardous substances

INHIBITOR
A chemical additive used to prevent unwanted changes in a chemical reaction

INITIATOR
A substance that starts a chemical reaction

INJECTION
A mode of exposure to hazardous substances, by entering the body through broken skin

IONIZING RADIATION
Electromagnetic radiation that has the potential to change atomic charge and bond properties

IRRADIATE
Exposure of materials to radiation

IRRITANT
A substance that causes inflammation to living tissues

ISOTOPES
Forms of an element that vary by the number of neutrons in the nucleus

KILOGRAM
1000 grams or 2.2 pounds

LANDFARMING
A process in which waste deposited on or in the soil is naturally degraded by microbes

LATENT PERIOD
The period of time between exposure and the onset of symptoms

LC50
(Inhalation Hazards) Lethal concentration of a substance that causes 50% of test animals to die

LD50
(Injection or Ingestion Hazards) Lethal dosage of a substance that causes 50% of test animals to die

LEL (LFL)
Lower explosion limit, minimum concentration of an ignitable or explosive substance that will burn when exposed to an ignition source

LOCAL EXHAUST
Removal of air contaminants through ventilation located near the point of generation

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
Information required under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) on the identity of hazardous chemicals, health and physical hazards, exposure limits, and precautions. Section 311 of SARA Title III requires facilities to submit MSDSs under certain circumstances

METABOLISM
Chemical activities within a living system to convert substances into energy
Mg/L – Concentration of substance equal to 1 part per million. (1/1000 gram per liter gas or liquid measure)

MIXED WASTE
Waste that contains radioactive and other hazardous properties

MOLECULE
Two or more atoms that are bound together

MSDS
Material Data Sheet, Chemical hazard and other information provided by the manufacturer of a chemical product

MSHA
U.S. Mine safety and Health Administration

MUCOSA
Human and animal tissue that is a common site for exposures to hazardous substances (soft tissue, eyes, nasal, genitourinary and other tissues)

MUD
The liquid circulated through the wellbore during rotary drilling and workover operations. In addition to its function of bringing cuttings to the surface, drilling mud cools and lubricates the bit and drill stem, protects against blowouts by holding back subsurface pressures, and deposits a mud cake on the wall of the borehole to prevent loss of fluids to the formation. Originally a suspension of clays in water, the mud used in modern drilling is a more complex mixture of liquids, reactive solids, and inert solids. The liquid phase may be fresh water, diesel oil, or crude oil, often containing one or more conditioners

MUTAGEN
A hazardous substance or electromagnetic radiation that has the potential to alter the genetic properties of living cells

NATIONAL EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS (NESHAP) NEUTRALIZATION
Federal emissions standards set by EPA for toxic air pollutants. Decreasing the acidity or alkalinity of a substance by adding alkaline or acidic materials to it

NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS (NORM)
Elements that are radioactive in their natural physical states (i.e., not man-made) but do not include source or special nuclear material. NORM can be associated with oil and gas production and includes the elements; uranium, thorium, radium, and radon and their daughter products. NORM has been found in downhole tubing scale, in above-ground processing equipment, salt water disposal/injection wells and associated equipment, and in soils contaminated by well workovers, tank cleaning, salt water leaks, pipe cleaning, and other associated operations

NATURAL URANIUM
Non-enriched uranium, it consists of 99.3% uranium 238 and .7%

NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act, 1970, a law that requires the federal government to consider environmental impacts in the decision making process

NEPHROTOXINS
Substances that have a negative effect upon or cause damage to the nervous system

NESHAPS
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (Clean Air Act)

NEUROTOXINS
Substances that can cause kidney disease and organ damage

NEUTRALIZE
To stop the corrosivity of an alkaline or acid by reacting an acid with a weak base or by reacting an alkaline with a weak acid. (Neutral pH is between 6 and 8)

NEUTRON
A large uncharged particle in the nucleus of an atom

NFPA
National Fire Protection Association, an association that helps develop fire fighter safety procedures. It is widely known for developing the 704 hazardous substance emergency placarding system

NIOSH
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, A government agency that assists OSHA in setting safety and health standards through research and testing

NRC
National Response Center for hazardous substance spill and release notification, [1-800-424-8802]

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
Reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties

OLFACTORY
Refers to the sense of smell

ORGANIC PEROXIDES
Potentially reactive and often unstable, explosive organic chemical compounds

OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, responsible to regulate and enforce safety and health standards in United States workplaces

OXIDIZER
A substance that contains and can yield an abundant amount of oxygen in a fire. These substances can be reactive and increase fire and explosion hazard potential

PAD (waste management)
A concrete or asphalt surface used for the temporary storage of wastes

PCB’s
(Polychlorinated biphenyls) Toxic, "oil like" substances used for many years in electrical transformers and other devices

PEL
Permissible exposure limit, an established exposure limit established by OSHA regulatory authority

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard. General work clothes (e.g., uniforms, pants, shirts or blouses) not intended to function as protection against a hazard are not considered to be personal protective equipment

PH
Ameasure of the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid or solid material

PIG
A scraping tool forced through as pipeline or flowline to clean out accumulations of water, wax, rust, scale, and/or debris form the walls of the pipe

PIG TRAP
A pipeline quick connection for inserting or removing a pig

PIGGING WASTE
Water, wax, rust, scale, and/or debris removed from the walls of pipelines after cleaning with a pig or scraper

PLUTONIUM
A man made silvery "fissle" metal that is heavier than lead. The half life of Plutonium 239 is 24,000 years

PMCC
Pensky Martens closed cup flash point testPOLLUTANT - Any chemical or waste product that contributes to pollution

POLLUTION
Alteration of the physical, thermal, chemical, or biological quality of, or the contamination of land, air, or water. This renders it harmful, detrimental, or injurious to humans, animal life, vegetation, or property, or to public health, safety or welfare, or impairs the usefulness or the public enjoyment of the land, air, or water for any lawful or reasonable purpose

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (PCB)
Group of toxic, pathogenic, teratogenic, and persistent chemicals used in transformers and capacitors (and other oil-filled electrical equipment) for insulating purposes and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant. PCBs may accumulate in human or animal tissue. In 1974, PCBs were banned for sale by law

POLYMERIZATION
A chemical reaction that combines small molecules to form much larger molecules [monomers to polymers]. Hazardous polymerization is this reaction that occurs rapidly and releases large amounts of energy – sometimes explosions

PPE
Personal Protective Equipment, devices worn by workers to protect themselves from hazards in the workplace

ppb
Parts per billion [1000 times smaller than ppm]

ppm
Parts per million [1% is equal to 10,000 ppm]

pH
A system used to quantify acidity and alkalinity. Strong acids have pH readings of 2 or less and strong alkalies have pH readings greater than 12.5. RCRA regulates acid wastes with pH 2 or less and alkaline wastes with pH 12.5 or greater

PRODUCED WATER
The water (brine) brought up from the hydrocarbon bearing strata during the extraction of oil and gas. It may include formation water, water that has been injected into the formation, and any chemicals added downhole or during the oil/water separation process

PRP
A Potentially Responsible Party. Persons or organizations that may be associated with environmental pollution and may be required to help pay for cleaning up a waste site

psi
Pounds per square inch [at sea level the earths atmosphere exerts 14.7 psi]

PUREX
Plutonium uranium extraction, a process used to reprocess spent nuclear fuel and irradiated materials

PYROPHORIC
A substance that is capable of self ignition when exposed to air

RAD
A unit of absorbed radiation

RADIATION
Transfer of energy through space in the form of particles and waves. Ionizing radiation causes splitting or atomic breakdown. Non-ionizing radiation is from a light source such as ultraviolet radiation which causes external burning and human skin damage

RADIOACTIVITY
Spontaneous emission of radiation from the nucleus of an atom

RADON
An inert radioactive gas produced by the decay of radium. Radium is linked to the decay chain of uranium 238. Radon occurs naturally in many minerals, a major hazard found at uranium process sites

RCRA (EPA)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act – A federal law (1976) enacted to regulate generation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste

RECYCLE
To reclaim the useful constituents of a waste of reuse, or to use or reuse a waste as a substitute for a commercial product, or as a feedstock in a industrial process
A material is "recycled" if it is used, reused, or reclaimed
A material is "reclaimed" if it is processed to recover a usable product, or if it is regenerated. Examples are recovery of lead values from spent batteries and regeneration of spent solvents
A material is "used or reused" if it is either employed as an ingredient (including use as an intermediate) in an industrial process to make a product (for example, distillation bottoms from one process used as feedstock in another process). However, material will not satisfy this condition if distinct components of the materials are recovered as separate end products (as when metals are recovered from metal-containing secondary materials)
Employed in a particular function or application as an effective substitute for a commercial product

REDUCING AGENT
A substance that accepts oxygen in a chemical reaction

RESERVE PIT
Pit used to store additional drilling fluids for use in drilling operations and/or dispose of wastes generated by drilling operations and initial completion procedures. Usually an excavated, earthen-walled pit, typically temporary in nature, that receives natural rock cuttings, drilling fluids, and water runoff from around the drilling rig

RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVGERY ACR (RCRA)
1976 and 1984 federal law that established regulations for the management and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes currently generated, treated, stored, disposed or distributed

RESPIRATOR
A device used to protect the wearer from contaminated air. Most common respirators are air purified respirators [APR], self contained breathing apparatus [SCBA} and supplied air respirators

RIGWASH
Waters used to wash down the rig floor, including rainwater. Its primary component is fresh water, sometimes containing minor amounts of household type detergents

SARA TITLE III
Section of Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act requiring public disclosure of chemical information and development of emergency response plans

SCALE
A deposit formed in place by chemical action or temperature and pressure changes on surfaces in contact with water; e.g., calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium sulfate

SCRUBBER
A vessel through which a gas or fluid is passed to remove liquid and foreign matter

SECONDARY CONTAINMENT
A walled, contained, pad or chemical resistant surface barrier placed around a hazardous substance storage area to prevent hazardous or regulated substance releases to the environment

SENSITIZATION
An allergic reaction that increases in severity as exposure to an allergen increases. Generally, initial exposures produce little or no reaction

SETA
Seta Flash closed cup flash point test method

SKIN
Skin effects (when listed in MSDS)

SOLVENT
Substance (usually liquid) capable of dissolving one or more other substances to form a solution

SOLUBILITY
The ability of a substance to dissolve into a solvent

SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Weight comparison between a given substance and water. If the volume of a given substance weighs 12 pounds and an equal volume of water weighs 14 pounds, the specific gravity would be: 12/14 = 8.57

STABILITY
The ability of a substance to remain unchanged under reasonably normal conditions

STEL
Short term exposure limit (ACGIH)

STORM WATER DISCHARGES
Are generated by runoff from paved surfaces including streets, parking lots, and other impervious areas (e.g., buildings) during rainfall and snow events, which often contain pollutants in quantities that could adversely affect water quality. Most storm water discharges are considered point sources and therefore require coverage by an NPDES permit. The primary method to control storm water discharges is through the use of best management practices.

STP
Standard Temperature and Pressure

SUMP
A pit or tank that catches liquid runoff for drainage or disposal. Also, a low place in a vessel or tank for accumulating settlings that are later removed through an opening in the bottom of the vessel

SUPERFUND
Commonly used to refer to the program, operated under the legislative authority of CERCLA, which funds and carries out the EPA solid waste emergency and long-term remedial activities. More specifically, the Superfund is the remediation fund for cleanups of sites contaminated by hazardous substances and for legal action to force those responsible for the sites to clean them up. It is funded by taxes on chemical feedstocks and petroleum products. Many states also have Superfund laws

SUPERFUND AMENDMENTS AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT (SARA)
1986 federal law reauthorizing and expanding the jurisdiction of CERCLA

SURFACE WATER
All water naturally open to the atmosphere, and all springs, wells, or other collectors directly influenced by surface water

SURFACTANT
A substance, such as detergent or soap, that affects the properties of the surface of a liquid or solid by concentrating in the surface layer (e.g., assists in the cleaning of oily materials)

SYNERGISTIC EFFECT
A hazardous affect upon a living system from exposures to substances, that together, can produce injury or illness that may not be achieved through individual exposures

SYSTEMIC TOXICITY
Adverse health effect upon an entire living system

SUPERFUND
see CERCLA, Funding for cleaning up abandoned hazardous waste sites

TARGET ORGAN
An organ that is primarily effected by exposures to a specific hazardous substance

TCC
Tag Closed Cup flash point determination test procedure

TcLo
Lowest published toxic dose

TCLP
Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure for determinating hazardous waste characteristics

TERATOGEN
A substance that can produce birth defects

THERMONUCLEAR WEAPON
The "H" Bomb, a nuclear device that uses fission to start a fusion reaction

THRESHOLD
A level of hazardous substance exposure, at amounts below that level no adverse effects arenoted, however amounts above that level exhibit significant adverse health effects

TITLE III
(SARA) Community Right to Know and Emergency Response Provisions. Requires users of chemicals to report annual inventories and usage information

TLV
Threshold limit value, safe exposure limitations for airborne concentrations of hazardous substances

TOC
Total organic carbon. Also tag Open Cup, a flash point determination procedure

TORR
A measure of atmospheric pressure in millimeters of mercury (Hg)

TOXIC SUBSTANCE
A material capable of causing acute or chronic illness or injury

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (TSCA)
1976; Federal law authorizing EPA to gather information on chemical risks, and provide regulation and enforcement related to those risks

TOXICITY
A waste exhibits the characteristic of toxicity if, using the Toxicity Character Leachate Procedure, described below, the extract from a representative sample of the waste contains any of the contaminants listed by the EPA, at a concentration equal to or greater than the respective value