TURI - Toxics Use Reduction Institute

VOC: Volatile Organic Compounds

• Chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature
• The term “organic” indicates that the compounds contain carbon
• VOC exposures are often associated with an odor while other times there is no odor
• There are thousands of VOCs produced and used daily

GWP: Global Warming Potential

• Used to compare the ability of different greenhouse gases to trap heat in the atmosphere
• Based on heat-absorbing ability of the gas relative to base chemical => carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Some greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere
• Others result from human activities
• Very powerful greenhouse gases that are generated in a variety of industrial processes, including cleaning processes

ODP: Ozone Depletion Potential

• Ozone layer screens out the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation
• Small amounts of ozone are constantly being made by the action of sunlight on oxygen
• At the same time, ozone is being broken down by natural processes
• The total amount of ozone usually stays constant because its formation and destruction occur at about the same rate
• Human activity has recently changed that natural balance
• Certain manufactured substances can destroy stratospheric ozone much faster than it is formed

HMIS/NFPA: Hazardous Material Information System/ National Fire Protection Association

• HMIS
  
  • Hazard Communication standard requires employers to evaluate materials and inform employees of the hazards
• Developed by comparing information on the health hazard, flammability, and physical hazard of the product/chemical to a set of criteria for each hazard category
• H: Health
• F: Fire
• R: Reactivity/Instability

Basic Rating Descriptions

pH

• Provides a measure on a scale from 0 to 14 of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution
• 7 is neutral
• Less than 7 is acidic
• Greater than 7 is basic
• Very basic or acidic chemical likely to cause corrosion and/or tissue damage