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Azo Dyes - any of a large class of synthetic organic dyes that contain nitrogen as the azo group -N=N- as part of their molecular structures; more than half the commercial dyes belong to this class. Depending on other chemical features, these dyes fall into several categories defined by the fibres for which they have affinity or by the methods by which they are applied.
Bioaccumulation - the process in which chemical compounds travel long distances through numerous ecosystems and food chain without breaking down. As a result, the concentration of the chemicals increases as it moves up the food chain to humans.
Biodegradable - capable of decomposing in nature within a reasonably short period of time.
Carcinogen - any of a number of agents that can cause cancer, including chemicals, radiation, and viruses. Exposure to such agents, singly or in combination, can initiate cancer under conditions not wholly understood.
Closed Loop Recycling - the process of recycling in such a way that the components of the original product are reclaimed or utilized into similar products without the process of downcycling.
Cradle-to-Cradle - term used to describe a material or product that is recycled into a new or similar product at the end of its intended life.
Dioxin - a highly unstable, toxic, monocyclic organic compound comprised of carcinogenic hydrocarbons that occur as impurities. Dioxins are man-made materials.
Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) - a fine crystalline powder used in consumer products (particularly leather goods) as a packaging item to prevent the growth of mold and fungus. At very low concentrations, this chemical compound has been proven to cause several health problems including eczema and skin allergic reactions.
Ecological Footprint - the resulting impacts on the environment based on the choices we make (i.e., raw materials selection, energy selection, transportation, etc).
Environmentally Friendly - a general statement often used to designate a product or process that has a reduced ecological footprint when compared to other products/processes.
Environmentally Preferable - products, services or systems that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products, services or systems that serve the same purpose.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - an independent federal agency of the U.S. government founded in 1970 that sets and enforces rules and standards that protect the environment and control pollution.
Formaldehyde - a toxic chemical used widely in consumer products and building materials. A known carcinogen to negatively impact indoor air quality (IAQ), formaldehyde is on the EPA's list of pollutants that create indoor air pollution.
Greenguard® -The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) was founded in 2001 with the mission of reducing chemical exposure and improving indoor air quality. The GEI oversees third-party certification programs that identify acceptable product emission standards and certify low-emitting products. GEI also establishes building standards and writes standards in conjunction with the LEED Rating System.
Healthy Building Network - a leading environmental health organization founded in 2000 based on the beliefs of healthier indoor environments for improved public health. Healthy Building Network supports the opportunities to change the building materials market by educating on the negative impacts of PVC and recommending substituting cost-effective, healthier building and interior furnishing materials.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) - the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. IAQ can be affected by microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria), gases (including carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds-VOC’s), particulates, toxic chemicals, or any mass or energy stressor that can induce adverse health conditions. Indoor air is becoming an increasingly more concerning health hazard than outdoor air.
Leather Tannery Toxins - toxic chemicals commonly used and released into the environment as a result of the tanning process. Tanneries produce thousands of tons of solid waste each day as well as air emissions containing ammonia or hydrogen sulphide. Other toxic substances used in tanneries include mercury, lead and chromium.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) - a mixture of hydrocarbon gases used and increasingly replacing CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons) as an aerosol propellant and a refrigerant to reduce damage to the ozone layer and global warming. LPG is a low carbon emitting hydrocarbon fuel.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) - a series of building rating products developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a standard for what constitutes a “green building” or “high performance” building.
The various LEED products are used as design guidelines and third-party certification aiming to improve occupant well-being, environmental performance and economic returns of buildings used to establish and innovative practices, standards and technologies.
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s) - organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. As a result, they have been observed to persist in the environment, to be capable of long-range transport, bioaccumulation in human and animal tissue, biomagnified in food chains, and to have potential significant impacts on human health and the environment.
Phthalates - or Phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid and are mainly used as plasticizers (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity). They are primarily used to soften polyvinyl chloride. Phthalates are being phased out of many products in the United States and European Union over health concerns. (wikipedia definition)
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) - organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants. Like other brominated flame retardants, PBDE’s have been used in a wide array of products, including building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams, and textiles.
Polyurethane - any of a class of synthetic resinous, fibrous, or elastomeric compounds belonging to the family of organic polymers made by the reaction of diisocyanates (organic compounds containing two functional groups of structure -NCO) with other difunctional compounds such as glycols.
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) - a thermoplastic vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl groups (ethenyls) having one of their hydrogens replaced with a chloride group. Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is estimated to be the single largest material source of dioxin to the global environment over the course of its life cycle, production, use and disposal. PVC has a high level of VOC’s and contributes to poor indoor air quality (IAQ).
Recyclable - a designation for products or materials that are capable of being recovered from, or otherwise diverted from waste streams for recycling.
Recycled Content - the percentage of the total weight of recycled materials in a product.
Recycling - the series of activities, including collection, separation, and processing, by which materials are recovered from the waste stream for use as raw materials in the manufacture of new products.
Sustainable - a process that maintains a source of renewability and environmental health over time to meet present and future needs.
Toxic Byproducts - hazardous ingredients found in every day products that that cause human health risks and pollution. Examples of are lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, form and VOC emissions.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) - chemical compounds that evaporate from many housekeeping, maintenance and building products. These compounds may be released from the products both in use, and in storage. In sufficient quantities, VOC’s can cause irritation, are carcinogenic, and are suspected of causing or exacerbating acute and chronic diseases.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - a non-profit trade organization that promotes environmental sustainability in how buildings are designed, built and operated. The USGBC is best known for the development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system and Greenbuild, a green building conference that promotes the green building industry, including environmentally responsible materials, sustainable architecture techniques and public policy.
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