Environmental Health Emerging Issues Glossary
A
Acute
Acute
Short duration
B
Biosolids
Biosolids
Organic matter created from the wastewater treatment process, often used in agriculture as a fertilizer.
C
CEC
CEC
Chemical or contaminants of concern, also called emerging contaminants, may have serious health or environmental concerns.
Chronic
Chronic
Long duration
M
Microplastics
Microplastics
Are very small pieces of plastic, some-times so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. The plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter – come from many different sources, including synthetic textiles, industrial waste products, personal care products, and the breakdown of litter, car tires, and other objects.
N
Nanoplastics
Nanoplastics
Are less than 1 μm in length. The term refers to extremely small pieces of plastic that are created by the breakdown of plastic products.
P
PFAS
PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A group of man-made chemical compounds with strong bonds that are both resilient and durable in the environment.
Pathogenic
Pathogenic
Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that cause disease to the host.
S
Sub-lethal
Sub-lethal
Having an effect that is not sufficient to cause death.