Glossary

Decode the eco-speak with our friendly glossary list of green buzzwords and certifications.

Aromatic Amine: A carcinogenic clothing dye.
Arsenic: An element that can enter water through natural soil deposits or industrial and agricultural pollution, arsenic causes bladder, lung and skin cancer; heart and nervous system damage; and skin problems. Very low levels of arsenic have also been found to disrupt hormone functions. See Heavy Metal, Hormone-Disrupting Compounds
Asbestos: A breathing hazard linked to lung cancer and asbestosis which may appear in pre-1970s homes in insulation around steam-pipes, boilers and furnace ducts; vinyl floor tile; roofing, shingles and siding; and dry-wall joint compound. It should be removed only by professionals.
Atrazine: A weed killer used on most corn crops, atrazine can cause organ and cardiovascular damage and is a suspected hormone disruptor. It is also suspected to cause deformities in frogs. See Hormone-Disrupting Compounds
Acrylamide: A chemical produced during the baking, frying, and grilling of almost all carbohydrate-rich foods, forming during the final stages of baking or frying.