Glossary
Accident-literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without one's foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden, and unexpected event; chance; contingency; often, an undesigned and unforeseen occurrence of an afflictive or unfortunate character; a casualty; a mishap
Aplastic Anemia-anemia characterized by pancytopenia resulting from failure of the bone marrow; can be caused by neoplasm or by toxic exposure. Anemia due to failure of the bone marrow to produce blood cells, including red and white blood cells as well as platelets. Aplastic anemia frequently occurs without a known cause. Known causes include exposure to chemicals (benzene, toluene in glues, insecticides, solvents), drugs (chemotherapy, gold, seizure medications, antibiotics, and others), viruses (HIV, Epstein-Barr), radiation, immune conditions (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis), pregnancy, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and inherited disorders
Asbestos-a highly heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral, used in fire-resistant and insulating materials; any of several minerals (as chrysotile) that readily separate into long flexible fibers, that cause asbestosis and have been implicated as causes of certain cancers, and that have been used especially formerly as fireproof insulating materials.
Benzene-a colorless liquid hydrocarbon; highly inflammable; carcinogenic; the simplest of the aromatic compounds
BTEX- is an acronym for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. This group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is found in petroleum hydrocarbons, such as gasoline, and other common environmental contaminants. The amount of 'Total BTEX', (sometimes including Naphthalene as BTEXN) the sum of the concentrations of each of the constituents of BTEX, is sometimes used to aid in assessing risk or seriousness at contaminated sites. Carcinogen-The term carcinogen refers to any substance, radionuclide or radiation which is an agent directly involved in the promotion of cancer
Chromium VI-Chromium VI compounds are usually highly toxic. Breathing in chromium (VI) compounds can damage and irritate your nose, throat, lungs, stomach and intestines. It may lead to asthma and other allergic reactions. Exposure to chromium (VI) can cause stomach upsets, ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage. Long-term exposure to airborne chromium (VI) can have adverse effects on the respiratory and the immune systems and can cause cancer.
Defective DrugsSide effects of drugs are often discounted, drugs such as Vioxx, Bextra, Meridia, Serevent, Accutane, and Crestor. Defective Drug Side Effects
Defective Medical Devices- include defective and recalled pacemakers and defibrillators, defective stents, Kugel® Mesh Patches, and infections occurring after undergoing kidney dialysis. Defective and recalled pacemakers and defibrillators manufactured by one of several companies often are the core of arbitration, cases of wrongful death caused by infections following kidney dialysis, and cases of amputations and wrongful death caused by defective abdominal aortic stents.
Disease=disease is usually deep-seated and permanent, or at least prolonged, a disorder is often slight, partial, and temporary, malady has less of a technical sense than the other terms, and refers more especially to the suffering endured. in a figurative sense we speak of a disease mind, of disordered faculties, and of mental maladies.
Hexavalent Chromium-Hexavalent chromium or Cr(VI) compounds are those which contain the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. Hexavalent chromium is recognized as a human carcinogen via inhalation. Recent studies suggest it is also a human carcinogen if consumed orally.
Product Liabilitythe responsibility of manufacturers, distributors and sellers of products to the public, to deliver products free of defects which harm an individual or numerous persons and to make good on that responsibility if their products are defective. These can include faulty auto brakes, contaminated baby food, exploding bottles of beer, flammable children's pajamas or lack of label warnings.
Mercury heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures. Mercury poisoning, also known as mercurialism, is the phenomenon of toxication by contact with mercury.
Mesothelioma-a rare form of carcinoma of the mesothelium lining lungs or abdomen or heart; usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury-(MTBI), or concussion, is a common cause for trauma centers admission, particularly blunt trauma victims. MTBI is generally defined as an injury caused by blunt acceleration/deceleration forces producing a period of unconsciousness for 20 minutes or less and/or brief retrograde amnesia, a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13 to 15, no focal neurological deficit, no intracranial complications (e.g. seizure activity), and normal computed tomography (CT) findings.
Perchlorate-a salt of perchloric acid. Perchlorate interferes with iodide uptake into the thyroid gland. Impairment in expectant mothers may impact the fetus and newborn and result in effects including changes in behavior, delayed development and decreased learning capability.
Pesticides- substances that protect plants against molds, fungi, and insects. The term pesticide refers to all pest control substances, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls-biphenyl compounds which are extensively chlorinated. Many of these compounds are toxic environmental pollutants.
Traumatic Brain Injury-(TBI), also called intracranial injury, or simply head injury; sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed or penetrating head injury and is one of two subsets of acquired brain injury (ABI). The other subset is non-traumatic brain injury (i.e. stroke, meningitis, anoxia). Parts of the brain that can be damaged include the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and brain stem (see brain damage). Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. Outcome can be anything from complete recovery to permanent disability or death.
Toxic Substances are mixtures of chemicals that presents a high risk of injury to human health or to the environment.
Trichloroethylene-a heavy colorless highly toxic liquid used as a solvent to clean electronic components and for dry cleaning and as a fumigant; causes cancer and liver and lung damage. Also known as TCE.