Glossary

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

Heavy Metals: Toxic metals or metal compounds that negatively affect health and the environment. Some heavy metals include: cadmium, lead and mercury. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters: Used in vacuum cleaners and air handling systems in order to clean the air in residential and work settings. They are designed to trap particles as small as 0.3 micron.
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS): A modified form of regular corn syrup containing increased amounts of the sugar fructose. HFCS is made when cornstarch is treated with acids or enzymes, breaking down the starch into sugars, thus enhancing sweetness and making a syrup that dissolves at lower temperatures.
Hormone Disrupting Compounds: Chemical compounds such as parabens and phthalates which create a disturbance in hormones that control the nervous system, reproduction and development.
Hypoallergenic (also "dermatologist tested," "allergy tested," "sensitivity tested" or "non-irritating"): For consumers with sensitive skin, moisturizers with any of these labels may seem like the least irritating option, but claims that these products produce fewer allergic reactions are unfounded. The FDA warns, "there are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term 'hypoallergenic.' The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean." There are no organizations behind these claims, and manufacturers are not required to provide evidence that these products do, in fact, produce fewer allergic reactions. The FDA also cautions that nearly all cosmetic products will cause an allergic reaction in some sensitive individuals.
Hormone: Naturally occurring or synthetic compound in most foods including milk, meat, fish and eggs. An example of a synthetic hormone, rBST, is injected into dairy cows to increase milk production. Health effects of this hormone in humans are an increase in the presence of insulin-like growth factors. Naturally occurring hormones, however, are unable to be processed away.