A

Absorption to Sediment and Suspended Solids

• Certain chemicals have the ability to absorb and attach themselves to suspended solids and sediment in the water. By absorbing to solids and sediment they are more likely to enter the food chain as aquatic organisms eat and filter solids and sediment for food.

Acute Toxicity

• Acute toxicity describes the adverse effects of a substance which result either from a single exposure or from multiple exposures in a short space of time (usually less than 24 hours). To be described as acute toxicity, the adverse effects should occur within 14 days of the administration of the substance.

Anuria

• The failure of urine to pass from the body. Often caused by kidney failure.

B

Bioaccumulation

• Progressive increase in the amount of a substance in an organism or part of an organism which occurs because the rate of intake exceeds the organism's ability to remove the substance from the body.

Biodegrability

• The ability of a substance to breakdown and loose its undesirable properties.

Blood Toxicant

• Exposure to chemical substances can cause adverse effects on the cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) or hematopoietic (blood) systems (Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicity). Exposure to cardiovascular toxicants can contribute to a variety of diseases, including elevated blood pressure (hypertension), hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), abnormal heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia), and decreased blood flow to the heart (coronary ischemia).

C

Carcinogen

• A chemical or substance that is capable of causing cancer.

Contact dermatitis

• Reddened or weeping skin caused by skin exposure to chemical irritants or allergens

D

Developmental Toxicant

• Developmental toxicants are chemicals or substances that can have adverse effects on the developing organism (including structural abnormality, altered growth, or functional deficiency or death) resulting from exposure prior to conception (in either parent), during prenatal development, or postnatally up to the time of sexual maturation.

Dysuria

• Painful urination

E

EC50

• The concentration of a drug, antibody, or toxicant which induces a response halfway between the baseline and maximum after some specified exposure

Edema

• An abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin or in one or more cavities of the body.

Endocrine Toxicant

• Chemicals and substances that may affect the endocrine system (the communication system of glands, hormones and cellular receptors that control the body's internal functions).

Erythema

• Redness of the skin

F

G

H

Half-life

• The time in which the concentration of a substance will biodegrade and reduce in size by half.

Hematuria

• The presence of red blood cells in urine.

Hypoglycemia

• Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) is too low. Symptoms include cold sweats, convulsions, blurred vision, fast or pounding heartbeat, headache, hunger, irritability, nervousness, shaking, difficulty sleeping, tingling or numbness of skin, tiredness or weakness,
  and unclear thinking.

I

Immunotoxicant

• An immunotoxicant can cause adverse effects on the functioning of the immune system that result from exposure to chemical substances. Altered immune function may lead to the increased incidence or severity of infectious diseases or cancer, since the immune system's ability to respond adequately to invading agents is suppressed.

J

K

Kidney Toxicant

• Exposure to kidney toxicants can cause adverse effects on the kidney, ureter, or bladder. Some toxicants cause acute injury to the kidney, while others produce chronic changes that can lead to end-stage renal failure or cancer.

L

Lactic Acidosis

• Lactic acidosis is when lactic acid builds ups in the bloodstream faster than it can be removed. Lactic acid is produced when oxygen levels in the body drop. Symptoms include weakness and nausea.

LC50

• The concentration of a chemical in an experiment that kills 50% of the test animals.

Liver Toxicant

• Exposure to liver toxicants can cause adverse effects on the the gastrointestinal tract, liver, or gall bladder. The liver is frequently subject to injury induced by chemicals because of its role as the body's principal site of metabolism.

LOAEL

• The lowest-observed-adverse-effect level is the lowest concentration or amount of a substance found by experiment or observation which causes an adverse effect.

M

N

Neurotoxicant

• Exposure to neurotoxicants can cause adverse effects on the nervous system (Neurotoxicity). Chemicals toxic to the central nervous system can induce confusion, fatigue, irritability, and other behavioral changes.

O

P

Pneumotitis

• Inflammation of lung tissue.

PPM

• Parts per million

Pulmonary Edema

• Fluid accumulation in the lungs that can lead to respiratory failure.

Q

R

Respiratory Toxicant

• Exposure to a respiratory toxicant can cause adverse effects on the respiratory system, which consists of the nasal passages, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Respiratory toxicity can include a variety of acute and chronic pulmonary conditions, including local irritation, bronchitis, pulmonary edema, emphysema, and cancer.

S

Skin and Sense Organ Toxicant

• Exposure to chemical substances can cause adverse effects on skin or the sense organs. Exposure can impact sense of smell and vision in addition to causing acute and chronic skin diseases.

Skin Sensitizer

• A substance that will cause an allergic reaction following skin contact.

T

Tachycardia

• A heart rate that exceeds the normal range for a resting heart rate.

U

V

W

X

Y

Z