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Environmental Dictionary E-F - Environmental Links - 1/1/2015 - Health Asbestos Asbestosis Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Environmental Dictionary E-F

Enforcement Agreement.

Environmental Action.

Environmental Assessment.

Environmental Audit.

EAF

Electric Arc Furnace.

EAP

Environmental Action Plan.

Emissions Balancing.

EBCDIC

Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code.

EBS

Emergency Broadcast System

Effective Concentration.

Environment Canada.

European Community.

ECAO

Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office.

EC50

(median) effective concentration. The concentration of a material in water, a single dose of which is expected to cause a biological effect on 50% of a group of test animals.

ECD

Electron Capture Detector.

ECHH

Electro-Catalytic Hyper-Heaters.

ECL

Environmental Chemical Laboratory.

ECL

Executive Control Language.

ECLA

Economic Commission for Latin America.

E.Coli

Escherichia coli, one of the members of the coliform group of bacteria indicating fecal contamination.

ecological impact

the total effect of an environmental change, natural or man-made, on the community of living things.

ecology

the relationships of living things to one another and to their environment, or the study of such relationships.

economic poisons

chemicals used to control pests and to defoliate cash crops such as cotton.

economizer

a heat exchanger in a furnace stack that transfers heat from the stack gas to the boiler feedwater.

ecosphere

the "bio-bubble" that contains life on earth, in surface waters, and in the air. (See biosphere).

ecosystem

the interacting system of a biological community and its nonliving surroundings.

ECRA

Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act.

ED50

Effective dose. The calculated dose, derived experimentally, which would produce a specified effect in 50 percent of the test population.

EDA

Economic Development Administration.

EDA

Emergency Declaration Area.

EDF

Environmental Defense Fund.

EDRS

Enforcement Document Retrieval System.

edema

an abnormal accumulation of clear, watery fluid in body tissue.

EDI

Electronic Data Interchange. Efforts have been underway to develop a standard for the transmission format for MSDS within the context of an EDI environment.

EDTA

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The sodium salt is the usual form of this chelating material.

eductor

a device that by flow of water through it creating a vacuum, draws a solution into the water stream.

EEA

Energy and Environmental Analysis.

EEC

European Economic Community.

EEG

Electroencephalogram.

EEMI

Environmental Engineers and Management Institute.

EER

Exercise Evaluation Report.

EERI

Earthquake Engineering Resources Institute.

EERU

Environmental Emergency Response Unit.

EESI

Environment and Energy Study Institute.

EESL

Environmental Ecological and Support Laboratory.

Emission Factor.

effluent

water and quantities, rates and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological and other constituents which are discharged from point sources.

effluent limitation

restrictions established by a State or EPA on quantities, rates, and concentrations in wastewater discharges.

EGR

Exhaust Gas Recirculation.

EHAP

Extremely Hazardous Air Pollutant.

EHC

Environmental Health Committee.

EHIS

Emission History Information System.

EHS

Extremely Hazardous Substance.

EIA

Economic Impact Assessment.

EIA

Environmental Impact Assessment.

EIL

Environmental Impairment Liability.

EINECS

European Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances.

EIR

Endangerment Information Report.

EIR

Environmental Impact Report.

EIS

Environmental Impact Statement.

EIS

Environmental Inventory System.

EIS/AS

Emissions Inventory System/Area Source.

EITF

Emerging Issues Task Force.

EKMA

Empirical Kinetic Modeling Approach.

ELECLEAN

Electrode Cleaner (ETUS).

electrical conductivity

property which allows an electric current to flow when a potential difference is applied. It is the reciprocal of the resistance in ohms measured between opposite faces of a centimeter cube of an aqueous solution at a specified temperature. It is expressed as microohms per centimeter at temperature degrees Celsius.

electrical equipment

means underground equipment that contains dielectric fluid that is necessary for the operation of equipment such as transformers and buried electrical cable.

electrodes

conductive materials, placed in water solution, which have a positive or negative charge.

electrodialysis

a process that uses electrical current applied to permeable membranes to remove minerals from water. Often used to desalinize salt or brackish water.

electrolyte

a nonmetallic substance that conducts an electric current in solution by the movement of ions rather than electrons.

electroneutrality

where the positive charges equal the negative charges.

electrostatic precipitator (ESP)

an air pollution control device that removes particles from a gas stream (smoke) after combustion occurs. The ESP imparts an electrical charge to the particles, causing them to adhere to metal plates inside the precipitator. Rapping on the plates causes the particles to fall into a hopper for disposal.

eligible costs

the construction costs for wastewater treatment works upon which EPA grants are based.

ELR

Environmental Law Reporter.

elution

the process of extracting one solid from another. Often used incorrectly to describe the regeneration of an ion exchanger.

elutriation

the washing of a sludge with water to free it of its mother liquor.

Electromagnetic.

E-MAIL

Electronic Mail.

EMAS

Enforcement Management and Accountability System.

embolism

obstruction of a blood vessel by a transported clot, a mass of bacteria, etc.

embryo

an organism in the early stages of development before birth. In humans, the developing child is considered an embryo from conception to the end of the second month of pregnancy.

embryotoxin

a material harmful a a developing embryo at a concentration that has no adverse effect on the pregnant female.

EMD

Emergency Management Director

emergency classification level

refers to a designated level describing the general characteristics of a emergency resulting from a incident/accident of a hazardous material.

emergency (chemical)

a situation created by an accidental release or spill of hazardous chemicals which poses a threat to the safety of workers, residents, the environment, or property.

emergency episode

see air pollution episode.

Emergency Management Director

refers to the individual responsible for the management of the emergency response away from the incident/accident site.

Emergency Operations Center

refers to where department heads, government officers and officials, and volunteer disaster agencies gather to coordinate their response to an emergency.

Emergency Phase

refers to the initial phase of response actions, during which actions are taken in response to a threat of a release or a release in progress.

emetic

an agent that induces vomiting.

EMILY

Early Money Is Like Yeast: it raises more money.

eminent domain

government taking-or forced acquisition-of private land for public use, with compensation paid to the landowner.

emission

pollution discharged into the atmosphere from smoke- stacks, other vents, and surface areas of commercial or industrial facilities; from residential chimneys; and from motor vehicle, locomotive, or aircraft exhausts.

emission factor

the relationship between the amount of pollution produced and the amount of raw material processed. For example, an emission factor for a blast furnace making iron would be the number of pounds of particulates per ton of raw materials.

emphysema

an irreversibly diseased lung condition in which the alveolar walls have lost their resiliency, resulting in an excessive reduction in the lungs' capacity.

emulsifier

an emulsion stabilizer (soap in case of oil and water).

emulsion

a colloidal dispersion of one liquid in another.

emulsion-stable

a heterogeneous system consisting of at least one immiscible liquid dispersed in another in the form of microscopically visible droplets.

emission

like effluent but used in regard to air pollution.

emission factor

the relationship between the amount of pollution produced and the amount of raw material processed. For example, an emission factor for the blast furnace making iron would be the number of pounds of particulates per ton of raw materials.

emission inventory

a listing, by source, of the amounts of air pollutants discharged into the atmosphere of a community daily. It is used to establish emission standards.

emission standard

the maximum amount of discharge legally allowed from a single source, mobile or stationary.

emission trading

EPA policy that allows a plant complex with several facilities to decrease pollution from some facilities while increasing it from others, so long as total results are equal to or better than previous limits. Facilities where this is done are treated as if they exist in a bubble in which total emissions are averaged out.Complexes that reduce emissions substantially may "bank" their "credits" or sell them to other industries.

emphysema

A lung condition where It becomes difficult to exhale.This condition may be due to mucus plugging passage ways or air trapped in the lungs due to loss of elasticity of lining tissues.

employer

OSHA defines as a person engaged in a business where chemicals are either used, distributed, or are produced for use or distribution. Including a contractor or subcontractor.

EMR

Environmental Management Report.

EMS

Emergency Medical Services

EMS

Enforcement Management System.

EMSL

Environmental Monitoring Support Laboratory.

EMSL

Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory.

EMTS

Environmental Monitoring Testing Site.

endangered assessment

a study conducted to determine the nature and extent of contaminations at a site on the National Priorities List and the risk posed to public health or the environment. EPA or the state conduct the study when a legal action is to be taken to direct potentially responsible parties to clean up a site or pay for the cleanup. An endangered assessment supplements a remedial investigation.

endangered species

animals, birds, fish, plants, or other living organisms threatened with extinction by man-made or natural changes in their environment. Requirements for declaring a species endangered are contained in the Endangered Species Act.

endothermic

absorbing heat.

end point

a preselected value or measurement used to determine when the service cycle is completed or that a breakthrough has occurred.

enforcement

EPA, state, or local legal actions to obtain compliance with environmental laws, rules, regulations, or agreements and/or obtain penalties or criminal sanctions for violations.Enforcement procedures may vary, depending on the specific requirement of different environmental laws and related implementing regulatory requirements. Under CERCLA, for example, EPA will seek to require potentially responsible parties to clean up a Superfund site, or pay for the cleanup, whereas under the Clean Air Act the agency may invoke sanctions against cities failing to meet ambient air quality standards that could prevent certain types of construction or federal funding. In other situations, if investigations by EPA and state agencies uncover willful violations, criminal trials and penalties are sought.

enforcement decision document (EDD)

a document that provides an explanation to the public of EPA's selection of the cleanup alternative at enforcement sites on the National Priorities List. Similar to a Record of Decision.

engineering controls

engineering control systems reduce potential hazards by isolating the worker from the hazard or by removing the hazard from the work environment. Methods include ventilation, isolation, and enclosure. This is preferred over personal protective equipment.

enrichment

sewage effluent or agricultural runoff adding nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon compounds) to a water body, greatly increasing the growth potential for algae and aquatic plants.

enthalpy

the total heat content of a body.

entrainment

the transport of water into a gas stream. In a boiler, this is carryover, in a cooling tower, drift.

entropy

a mathematical expression applying to the limits to the availability of energy; a measure of the random motion of matter.

environment

the sum of all external conditions affecting the life, development and survival of an organism. As defined by section 101(8) of CERCLA, means the navigable waters, the waters of the contiguous zone, and the ocean waters of which the natural resources are under the exclusive management authority of the United States under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act; and any other surface water, ground water, drinking water supply, land surface or subsurface strata, or ambient air within the United States or under the jurisdiction of the United States.

environmental assessment

a written environmental analysis which is prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act to determine whether a federal action would significantly affect the environment and thus require preparation of a more detailed environmental impact statement.

environmental audit

1. an independent assessment of the current status of a party's compliance with applicable environmental requirements. 2. an independent evaluation of a party's environmental compliance policies, practices, and controls.

environmental impact statement

a document required of Federal agencies by the National Environmental Policy Act for major projects or legislative proposals. They are used in making decisions about the positive and negative effects of the undertaking, and list alternatives.

environmental response team

EPA experts located in Edison, NJ, and Cincinnati, OH, who can provide around-the-clock technical assistance to EPA regional offices and states during all types of emergencies involving hazardous waste sites and spills of hazardous substances.

environmental technology

technology as applied to environmental management, also: tradename for ETUS, Inc.

enzyme

as applied to water, a chemical produced by living cells having the ability to reduce large organic molecules to units small enough to diffuse through the cell membrane.

EOC

Emergency Operations Center

EOD

Explosion Ordnance Disposal.

EOE

Equal Opportunity Employer.

EOT

Emergency Operations Team.

Environmental Profile.

Extraction Procedure.

EPA

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; primary federal agency responsible for enforcement of federal laws protecting the environment.

EPA, (Canada) Environmental Protection Act

Federal legislation, administered by Environment Canada, designed to protect the environment.

EPAA

Environmental Programs Assistance Act.

EPAAR

EPA Acquisition Regulations.

EPACASR

EPA Chemical Activities Status Report.

EPCA

Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

EPCRA

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; also known as SARA Title III.

EPI

Environmental Policy Institute.

EPI

Environmental Priorities Initiative.

EPIC

Environmental Photographic Interpretation Center.

epidemic

widespread outbreak of a disease, or a large number of cases of a disease in a single community or relatively small area.

epidemiology

the study of diseases as they affect population, including the distribution of disease, or other health- related states and events in human populations, the factors (e.g. age, sex, occupation, economic status) that influence this distribution, and the application of this study to control health problems.

epiphora

excessive flow of tears.

episode (pollution)

an air pollution incident in a given area caused by a concentration of atmospheric pollution reacting with meteorological conditions that may result in a significant increase in illnesses or deaths. Although most commonly used in relation to air pollution, the term may also be used in connection with other kinds of environmental events such as a massive water pollution situation.

epistaxis

nosebleed.

EPO

Estuarine Programs Office.

EPRI

Electric Power Research Institute.

EPTC

Extraction Procedure Toxicity Characteristic.

EP TOX

Extraction Procedure Toxicity Test.

equation

an expression of a reaction using chemical symbols.

equalization (continuous flow)

balancing of flow or pollutant load using a holding tank for a system that has widely varying inflow rates.

equilibrium

in relation to radiation, the state at which the radioactivity of consecutive elements within a radioactive series is neither increasing nor decreasing.

equivalent

equal valence.

equivalent method

any method of sampling and analyzing for air pollution which has been demonstrated to the EPA Administrator's satisfaction to be, under specific conditions, an acceptable alternative to the normally used reference methods.

equivalent per million

a unit of concentration used in chemical calculations, calculated by dividing the concentration in ppm or mg/L by the equivalent weight.

equivalent weight

the weight in grams of a substance which combines with or displaces one gram of hydrogen; it is usually obtained by dividing the formula weight by the valence.

Electrical Resistivity.

ERA

Economic Regulatory Agency.

ERAMS

Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System.

ERC

Environment Reporter Cases.

ERC

Environmental Research Center.

ERCS

Emergency Response Cleanup Service.

ERDA

Energy Research and Development Administration.

ERD&DAA

Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act.

ergonomics

the study of human characteristics for the appropriate design of living and work environments.

ERL

Environmental Research Laboratory.

ERNS

Emergency Response Notification Systems.

erosion

the wearing away of land surface by wind or water.Erosion occurs naturally from weather or run-ff but can be intensified by land-clearing practices related to farming, residential or industrial development, road building, or timber-cutting.

ERT

Environmental Response Team.

erythema

abnormally red skin from capillary congestion.

Enforcement Strategy.

ESA

Endangered Species Act.

ESA

Environmental Site Assessment.

ESA

Environmentally Sensitive Area.

ESC

Endangered Species Committee.

ESCA

Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis.

ESECA

Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act.

ESH

Environmental Safety and Health.

ESLI

End-of-Service-Life Indicator.

ESP

Electrostatic Precipitators.

estuaries

areas where fresh water meets salt water (bays, mouths of rivers, salt marshes, lagoons). These brackish water ecosystems shelter and feed marine life, birds and wildlife.

estuary

regions of interaction between rivers and nearshore ocean waters, where tidal action and river flow create a mixing of fresh and salt water. These areas may include bays, mouths of rivers, salt marshes, and lagoons. These brackish water ecosystems shelter and feed marine life, birds, and wildlife. (See: wetlands).

Emissions Trading.

ETD

Evaluation Team Director

Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)

a chemical used as an agricultural fumigant and in certain industrial processes. Extremely toxic and found to be a carcinogen in laboratory animals.

etiology

all of the factors that contribute to the cause of a disease or an abnormal condition.

ETP

Emissions Trading Policy.

ETUS

one of the worlds leading environmental technology organizations. Located at 1511 Kastner Drive, Sanford, Florida 32771 USA, Tel:(407)321-7910, Fax:(407)321-3098.

EUP

Environmental Use Permit.

eutrophication

the slow aging process of a lake evolving into a marsh and eventually disappearing. During eutrophication the lake is choked by abundant plant life. Human activities that add nutrients to a water body can speed up this action.

eutrophic lakes

shallow murky water bodies that have excessive concentrations of plant nutrients causing excessive algal production. (See: dystropic lakes).

eutrophication

the slow aging process during which a lake, estuary, or bay evolves into a bog or marsh and eventually disappears. During the later stages of eutrophication the water body is choked by abundant plant life as the result of increased amounts of nutritive compounds such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Human activities can accelerate the process.

evaluation packet

refers to the material that the ETD provides to each evaluator so that he is fully aware of his responsibilities in the exercise.

evaluation team

refers to the evaluators, controllers, and team and group leaders assigned to evaluate a hazardous materials exercise.

evaluators

refers to those persons assigned to each major playing element to observe the exercise and gather data. Their primary role is to observe actions taken by players and to record their observations.The evaluators' efforts provide the major portion of the documentation necessary to critique the exercise and produce an exercise report.The evaluators may also assist the controllers in keeping the exercise on track, but will not interfere with the players in the performance of their duties.

EVAP-T

Evaporator Odor Control (ETUS).

evaporation ponds

areas where sewage sludge is dumped and allowed to dry out.

evaporation rate

the rate at which a material vaporizes (volatilizes, evaporates) from the liquid or solid state when compared to a known material's evaporation rate. The evaporation rate can be useful in evaluating a material's health and fire hazards. The known material is usually normal butyl acetate (N-BuAc or n-BuAc), with a vaporization rate designated as 1.0. Vaporization rates of other solvents or materials are then classified as (1) FAST evaporating if greater than 3.0 e.g., methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), 3.8; acetone, 5.6; hexane, 8.3; (2) MEDIUM evaporating if 0.8 to 3.0, e.g., 190-proof (95%) ethyl alcohol, 1.4; VM&P naphtha, 1.4; MIBK, 1.6; (3) SLOW evaporating if less than 0.8 e.g., ethylene, 0.6; isobutyl alcohol, 0.6; normal butyl alcohol, 0.4; water, 0.3; mineral spirits, 0.1.

evapotranspiration

the loss of water from the soil both by evaporation and by transpiration from the plants growing in the soil.

excavation zone

means the volume containing the tank system and backfill material bounded by the ground surface, walls, and floor of the pit and trenches into which the UST system is placed at the time of installation.

exceedance

violation of environmental protection standards by exceeding allowable limits or concentration levels.

Excell

a patented form of stabilized Chlorine Dioxide used to treat potable and industrial waters, inhibit bacterial growth, improve taste, sanitize and control odor. It also has uses in the reduction of Cyanide and the break down of Phenols. EPA registration No. 9150-3. EPA establishment No. 9150-R.I.- 58700H1.

excessive

Exceeding the usual, proper, or normal. As distinguished from words such as immoderate and inordinate, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excess capacity factor

a multiplier on process size to account for shutdown for cleaning and maintenance.

exchange sites

reactive groups on an ion exchange resin.

exclusionary

any form of zoning ordinance that tends to exclude specific classes of persons or businesses from a particular district or area.

exempt solvent

specific organic compounds that are not subject to requirements of regulation because they have been deemed by EPA to be of negligible photochemical reactivity.

exempt aquifer

underground bodies of water defined in the Under- ground Injection Control program as aquifers that are sources of drinking water (although they are not being used as such) and that are exempted from regulations barring underground injection activities.

exercise rules

refers to a set of general rules on how the exercise will be conducted. Many of the same ground rules may apply in all hazardous materials exercises. Exercise rules define the role and authority of the chief controller(s), other controllers, exercise evaluators, and players. Other rules for exercise conduct may include safety guidelines or information on pertinent State or local laws or regulations that may affect exercise participants and their play. The rules may also include procedures for when and how to terminate an exercise and for giving precedence to real emergencies.

exercise scenario

refers to a sequential, narrative account of a hypothetical incident or accident. The scenario provides the catalyst for the exercise and is intended to introduce situations which will inspire responses, and thus allow demonstration of the exercise objectives. Most scenarios are initiated with an accident resulting in a release of, or the potential for a release of, a hazardous material.

ExEx

Expected Exceedance.

existing tank system

means a tank system used to contain an accumulation of regulated substances or for which installation has commenced on or before December 22, 1988. Installation is considered to have commenced if: (a) the owner or operator has obtained all federal, state, and local approvals or permits necessary to begin physical construction of the site or installation of the tank system; and if, (b)(1) either a continuous on-site physical construction or installation program has begun; or,(2) the owner or operator has entered into contractual obligations--which cannot be canceled or modified without substantial loss--for physical construction at the site or installation of the tank system to be completed within a reasonable time.

exotherm

giving off heat in a reaction or solution of a substance.

exothermic

Evolving heat.

explosive

-OSHA A chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high temperature.-DOT An explosive is defined as any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion, i.e., with substantially instantaneous release of gas and host, unless such compound, mixture, or device is otherwise specifically classified by DOT.

explosive limits

The range of concentration of a flammable gas or vapor by volume in air) in which explosion can occur upon ignition in a confined area. The boundary-line mixtures of vapor or gas with air, which, if ignited will just propagate the flame. They are known as the "lower and upper or explosive limits," and are usually expressed In terms of percentage by volume of gas or vapor in air. [11]

exposure

the amount of radiation or pollutant present in an environment which represents a potential health threat to the living organisms in that environment.

exposure

contact of an organism with a chemical or physical agent. Exposure is quantified as the amount of the agent available at the exchange boundaries of the organism (e.g., skin, lungs, gut) and available for absorption.

exposure assessment

the determination or estimation (qualitative or quantitative) of the magnitude, frequency, duration, and route of exposure.

exposure event

an incident of contact with a chemical or physical agent. An exposure event can be defined by time (e.g., day, hour) or by the incident (e.g., eating a single meal of contaminated fish).

exposure limits

the concentration in workplace air of a chemical thought acceptable. This means that most workers can be exposed at the given levels or lower without harmful effects. The exposure limits in common use are (1) TLV-TWA (threshold limit value - time-weighted average); (2) STEL (short-term exposure limit) or STEV (short-term exposure value); (3) C (ceiling value).

exposure pathway

the course a chemical or physical agent takes from the source to the exposed organism. An exposure pathway describes a unique mechanism by which an individual or population is exposed to chemicals or physical agents at or originating from the site. Each exposure pathway includes a source or release from a source, an exposure point, and an exposure route. If the exposure point differs from the source, a transport/exposure medium (e.g., air) or media (in cases of intermedia transfer) also is included.

exposure point

a point of potential contact between an organism and a chemical or physical agent.

exposure point concentration

the concentration of a chemical at the exposure point.

exposure route

the way a chemical or physical agent comes in contact with an organism (i.e., by ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact.)

extent of play

refers to the extent to which the objective will be demonstrated through the completion of response actions corresponding to those that would be accomplished in a real emergency.

extinguishing media, agents

the type of fire extinguisher or extinguishing method appropriate for a specific material. Some chemicals react violently in the presence of water, so other methods such as the use of foam or COà should be followed.

extrapolation

extending information beyond the point where proven data is available.

extremely flammable liquid

Any liquid having a flash point below 20¿F (-6.7¿C), unless the liquid is a mixture having components that constitute 99 percent or more of the liquid by volume and that have flash points of 20¿F or greater.

extremely hazardous substances

any of 406 chemicals identified by EPA on the basis of toxicity, and listed under SARA Title III. The list is subject to revision.

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration.

fabric filter

a cloth device that catches dust and particles from industrial emissions.

FACA

Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Facility

refers to any building, center, room(s), mobile unit(s), or vehicle(s) designed and equipped to support emergency operations.As defined by section 101(9) of CERCLA, means any building, structure, installation, equipment, pipe or pipeline (including any pipe into a sewer or publicly owned treatment works), well, pit, pond, lagoon, impoundment, ditch, landfill, storage container, motor vehicle, rolling stock, or aircraft, or any site or area, where a hazardous substance has been deposited, stored, disposed of, or placed, or otherwise come to be located; but does not include any consumer product in consumer use or any vessel.

FACM

Friable Asbestos-Containing Material.

facultative organisms

microbes capable of adapting to either aerobic or anaerobic environments.

f/cc

fibers per cubic centimeter of air.

FAM

Friable Asbestos Material.

FAR

Federal Acquisition Regulations.

farm tank

is a tank located on a tract of land devoted to the production of crops or raising animals, including fish, and associated residences and improvements. A farm tank must be located on the farm property.

Farm

includes fish hatcheries, rangeland and nurseries with growing operations.

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board.

fasciculation

muscular twitching.

FATES

FIFRA and TSCA Enforcement System.

FCC

Federal Communications Commission.

FCC

Fluid Catalytic Converter.

FCCU

Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit.

FCO

Federal Coordinating Officer.

FDA

Food and Drug Administration; federal agency whose actions are directed toward protecting the public's health from impure and unsafe foods, drugs and cosmetics, and other potential hazards.

FDO

Fee Determination Official.

FEA

Federal Energy Administration.

feasibility study

1. analysis of the practicability of a proposal; e.g., a description and analysis of the potential clean-up alternatives for a site or alternatives for a site on the National Priorities List. The feasibility study usually recommends selection of a cost-effective alternative. It usually starts as soon as the remedial investigation is underway; together, they are commonly referred to as the "RI/FS". The term can apply to a variety of proposed corrective or regulatory actions. 2. In research, a small-scale investigation of a problem to ascertain whether or not a proposed research approach is likely to provide useful data.

fecal coliform bacteria

a group of organisms found in the intestinal tracts of people and animals. Their presence in water indicates pollution and possible dangerous bacterial contamination.

FECNOUT

Ferro-Cyanout - Iron Cyanide Treatment Precipitant - Chelate Breaker - Heavy Metal (ETUS).

Federal Register

daily publication of the U.S. government detailing proposed and final regulations issued under federal law. See FR.

FEDS

Federal Energy Data System.

FEED

Boiler Feed Water Treatment - General Purpose.

feedlot

a relatively small, confined area for raising cattle that results in lower costs but may concentrate large amounts of animal wastes. The soil cannot absorb such large amounts of excrement, and runoff from feedlots pollutes nearby waterways with nutrients.

feed water

any water fed to a reverse osmosis machine.

FEF

Forced Expiratory Flow.

FEIS

Final Environmental Impact Statement.

FEIS

Fugitive Emissions Information System.

FEL

Frank Effect Level.

FEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency

fen

a type of wetland that accumulates peat deposits. Fens are less acidic than bogs, deriving most of their water from groundwater rich in calcium and magnesium. (See: wetlands).

FEPCA

Federal Environmental Pesticides Control Act.

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

fermentation

chemical reactions accompanied by living microbes that are supplied with nutrients and other critical conditions such as heat, pressure, and light that are specific to the reaction at hand.

ferric chloride

anhydrous ferric chloride (FeCl3) is a chemical coagulant. Ferric ions are Fe3+ and ferrous ions are Fe2+. Both are used in phosphorus precipitation.

fertilizer

materials such as nitrogen and phosphorus that provide nutrients for plants. Commercially sold fertilizers may contain other chemicals or may be in the form of processed sewage sludge.

FF-100

Floating Flocculant - Clarification/Settling.

FFA

Flammable Fabrics Act.

FFAR

Fuel and Fuel Additive Registration.

FFC

Federal Facility Coordinator.

FFCA

Federal Facility Compliance Agreement.

FFDCA

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

FFFSG

Fossil Fuel Fired Steam Generator.

FFIS

Federal Facility Information System.

FGD

Flue Gas Desulfurization.

FHA

Farmers Home Administration.

FHA

Federal Housing Authority.

FHSA

Federal Hazardous Substances Act.

FHWA

Federal Highway Administration.

FIA

Federal Insurance Administration.

fiber

a basic form of matter, usually crystalline, with a high ratio of length to diameter. Examples: animal (wool); vegetable (cotton); mineral (asbestos, steel); and synthetic (rayon, carbon, high polymers).

fibrosis

the formation of fibrous tissue, in a response to inhaled material, in excess of amounts normally present in the lung-tissue walls. This reduces the oxygen and COà exchange efficiency and lung capacity.

FIC

Federal Information Center.

FID

Flame Ionization Detector.

field sampling plan

provides guidance for all fieldwork by defining in detail the sampling and data-gathering methods to be used on a project.

FIFRA

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (1972, 1988); mandates toxicity testing and registration of pesticides.

filler

clay, calcium carbonate, or other minerals added to cellulose fiber in the production of certain grades of paper or board.

filling

depositing dirt and mud, often raised by dredging, into marshy areas to create more land for real estate development.It can destroy the marsh ecology.

film badge

a piece of masked photographic film worn by nuclear workers to monitor their exposure to radiation. Nuclear radiation darkens the film.

filter

a device or system for the removal of solid particles (suspended solids); includes mechanical, absorptive, oxidizing and neutralizing filters.

FILTER

Filter Air Blend (ETUS).

filtrate

liquid after passing through a filter.

filtration

removal of solid particles from liquid or particles from air or gas stream by means of a permeable membrane.Types: gravity, pressure, microstraining, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis (hyperfiltration).

FIM

Friable Insulation Material.

finding of no significant impact (FNSI)

a document prepared by a federal agency that presents the reasons impact: why a proposed action would not have a significant impact on the environment and thus would not require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. An FNSI is based on the results of an environmental assessment.

FINDS

Facilities Index System.

fines

finely crushed or powdered material or fibers; especially those smaller than the average in a mix of various sizes.

FIP

Federal Implementation Plan.

FIP

Federal Information Plan.

FIP

Final Implementation Plan.

fire point

the lowest temperature at which a liquid produces sufficient vapor to flash near its surface and continues to burn.Usually 10 to 30 degrees C higher than the flash point.

First Aid

Immediate measures that can be taken by the victim or others persons in case of contact or exposure to a chemical, including ending the exposure and using materials generally available to reduce or eliminate adverse health effects.

first draw

the water that immediately comes out when a tap is first opened. This water is likely to have the highest level of lead contamination from plumbing materials.

first federal official

means the first federal representative of a participating agency of the National Response Team to arrive at the scene of a discharge or a release. This official coordinates activities under the NCP and may initiate, in consultation with the OSC, any necessary actions until the arrival of the predesignated OSC. A state with primary jurisdiction over a site covered by a cooperative agreement will act in the stead of the first federal official for any incident at the site.

FIT

Field Investigation Team.

five-day biochemical oxygen demand

See BOD(5).

FLAA

Flame Atomic Absorption.

flammable

describes any solid, liquid, vapor, or gas that ignites easily and burns rapidly. See Combustible.

flammable aerosol

a product is considered a flammable aerosol if it is packaged in an aerosol container and can release a flammable material.

flammable gas

a gas that at ambient temperature and pressure forms a flammable mixture with air at a concentration of 13% by volume or less; or a gas that at ambient temperature and pressure forms a range of flammable mixtures with air greater than 12% by volume, regardless of the lower limit.

flammable limits (flammability limits, explosive limits)

the minimum and maximum concentrations of a flammable gas or vapor between which ignition can occur. Concentrations below flammable limit (LFL) are too lean to burn, while concentrations above the upper flammable limit (UFL) are too rich. All concentrations between LFL and UFL are in the flammable range, and special precautions are needed to prevent ignition or explosion.

flammable liquid

-OSHA Liquid, flammable means any liquid having a flashpoint below 100¿F (37.8¿C) except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 100¿F (37.8¿C) or higher, the total of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture.-DOT A flammable liquid means any liquid having a flash point below 140¿F (60¿C), with the following exceptions: a) Any liquid meeting the definition of a compressed gas; b) Any mixture having one component or more with a flash point of 140¿F, (60¿C) or higher, that makes up at least 99 percent of the total volume of the mixture; A distilled spirit of 140 proof or lower is considered to have a flash point no lower than 73¿F.

flammable range

The term flammable range designates the difference between the minimum and maximum volume percentages of the material in air that forms a flammable compressed gas.

flammable solid

a solid that ignites readily and continues to burn or is liable to cause fires under ordinary conditions or during transportation through friction or retained heat from manufacturing or processing and that burns so vigorously and persistently as to create a serious transportation hazard. See Combustible.

flash

the portion of a superheated fluid converted to vapor when its pressure is reduced.

flash back

occurs when a distant spark or ignition source ignites a trail of flammable material. The flame then travels along the trail of the material back to its source.

flash point, FP

the lowest temperature at which a flammable liquid gives off sufficient vapor to from an ignitable mixture with air near its surface or within a vessel. Combustion does not continue.FP is determined by tests in cups. See Fire Point.

FLCSTOPA

Floc-Stop-A (ETUS).

FLM

Federal Land Manager.

floc

a clump of solids formed in sewage by biological or chemical action.

flocculation

process of separating suspended solids from waste- water by chemical creation of clumps or flocs.

flocculants

materials which can form gelatinous clouds of precipitate to enclose fine particles of suspended dirt to settle them from the water.

flocculents

Those water soluble organic polymers that are used alone or in conjunction with inorganic coagulants to agglomerate solids. The large dense flocs resulting from this process permit rapid and more efficient solids-liquid separations.

floor sweep

a vapor collection designed to capture vapors which are heavier than air and which collect along the floor.

flotation

a process for separating solids from water by developing a froth in a vessel in such fashion that the solids attach to air particles and float to the surface for collection.

flowmeter

a gauge that shows the speed of waste water moving through a treatment plant.

flow-through process tank

is a tank that forms an integral part of a production process through which there is a steady, variable, recurring, or intermittent flow of materials during the operation of the process.Flow-through process tanks do not include tanks used for the storage of materials prior to their introduction into the production process or for the storage of finished products or by-products from the production process.

FLP

Flash Point.

FLPMA

Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

flue gas

the air coming out of a chimney after combustion. It can include nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, water vapor, sulfur oxide, particles, and many chemical pollutants.

flume

a raceway or channel constructed to carry water or to permit flow measurements.

fluorides

gaseous, solid, or dissolved compounds containing fluorine that result from industrial processes.

fluorocarbons

any of a number of organic compounds analogous to hydrocarbons in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine. Once used in the United States as a propellant in aerosols, they are now primarily used in coolants and some industrial processes.FCs containing chlorine are called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The are believed to be modifying the ozone layer in the stratosphere thereby allowing more harmful solar radiation to reach the Earth's surface.

Fluorosis

an abnormal condition caused by excessive intake of fluorine, characterized chiefly by mottling of the teeth.

flush

1 To open a cold-water tap to clear out all the water which may have been sitting for a long time in the pipes. In new homes, to flush a system means to send large volumes of water gushing through the unused pipes to remove loose particles of solder and flux. 2. To force large amounts of water through liquid to clear out piping or tubing, storage or process tanks.

fly ash

noncombustible particles carried by flue gas.

Friable Material.

FMA

(abbr.) free mineral acidity, or sum of the mineral acids.See also TMA.

F/M ratio

food-to-mass or food-to-microorganism ratio used to predict the phase of growth being experienced by the major microbial populations in a biological digestion process.

FMC

Federal Maritime Commission.

FMFIA

Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act.

FML

Flexible Membrane Liner.

FMO

Financial Management Officer.

FMP

Facility Management Plan.

foam

fire-fighting material consisting of small bubbles of air, water, and concentrating agents. Chemically, the air in the bubbles is suspended in the fluid. The foam clings to vertical and horizontal surfaces and flows freely over burning materials. Foam puts out a fire by blanketing it, excluding air, and blocking the escape of volatile vapor. Its flowing properties resist mechanical interruption and reseal the burning material.

FOE

Friends of the Earth.

fog

suspended liquid particles formed by condensation of vapor.

fogging

applying a pesticide by rapidly heating the liquid chemical so that it forms very fine droplets that resemble smoke. It is used to destroy mosquitoes and blackflies.

FOI

Freedom of Information.

FOIA

Freedom of Information Act.

FOISD

Fiber Optic Isolated Spherical Dipole Antenna.

FONSI

Finding of No Significant Impact.

food chain

a sequence of organisms, each of which uses the next, lower member of the sequence as a food source.

food waste

discarded animal and vegetable matter, also called garbage.

FORAST

Forest Response to Anthropogenic Stress.

forced-draft degasifier

a tower in which water droplets descent through a flow of air blown upwards to remove gases such as carbon dioxide.

foreseeable emergency

-OSHA Any potential occurrence such as, but no limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment which could result in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical into the workplace.

formaldehyde

a colorless, pungent, irritating gas, CHà0, used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative and in synthesizing other compounds and resins.

formula weight

see Molecular Weight.

formulation

the substance or mixture of substances which is comprised of all active and inert ingredients in a pesticide.

FORTRAN

Formula Translation.

forty (40) CFR Part 311

refers to a regulation issued by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on emergency response training for employees involved in operations with hazardous materials and hazardous wastes.

fossil fuels

combustibles derived from the remains of ancient plants and animals, like coal, oil, and natural gas.

fouddrinier

a design of paper machine using a continuous wire for forming the sheet.

foulants

substances which coat or adsorb onto and absorb into ion exchange resin to reduce available capacity.

Fine Particulate.

see Flash Point.

FPA

Federal Pesticide Act.

FPC

Federal Power Commission.

FPD

Flame Photometric Detector.

FPEIS

Fine Particulate Emissions Information System.

FPLH

Free-Phase Liquid Hydrocarbon.

FPR

Federal Procurement Regulation.

the Federal Register. A daily publication that lists and discusses Federal regulations. Available from the Government Printing Office.

Final Rulemaking.

FRA

Federal Register Act.

FRB

Federal Reserve Board.

FRC

Federal Records Center.

FRC

Functional Residual Capacity.

FRDS

Federal Reporting Data System.

FREDS

Flexible Regional Emissions Data System.

free base

the regenerated form of a weak base anion resin.

freeboard

the space above the resin bed to accommodate resin expansion in backwash.

free COà

dissolved carbon dioxide gas in water.

free product

refers to a regulated substance that is present as a nonaqueous phase liquid (e.g., liquid not dissolved in water.)

freezing point

the temperature at which a material changes its physical state from liquid to solid. This information is important because a frozen material may burst its container or the hazards could change.

FRES

Forest Range Environmental Study.

fresh water

water that generally contains less than 1,000 milligrams-per-liter of dissolved solids.

Freundlich isotherm

the plot of test data related to the removal of colloidal matter from water showing the process to be adsorption.

FRM

Federal Reference Methods.

FRN

Final Rulemaking Notice.

FRS

Formal Reporting System.

Feasibility Study.

FSA

Food Security Act.

FSP

Field Sampling Plan.

FTC

Federal Trade Commission.

FTP

Federal Test Procedure.

FTS

Federal Telecommunications System.

FUA

Fuel Use Act.

FUBAR

F(ouled) Up Beyond Recognition.

FUD

Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt.

FUEL

Boiler Fuel Treatment (ETUS).

fuel economy standard

the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standard (CAFE) which went into effect in 1978. It was meant to enhance the national fuel conservation effort by slowing fuel consumption through a miles-per-gallon requirement for motor vehicles.

fugitive emissions

emissions not caught by a capture system.

full emergency condition

refers to "an incident involving a severe hazard or a large area which poses an extreme threat to life and property and will probably require a large-scale evacuation; or an incident requiring the expertise or resources of county, State, Federal, or private agencies/organizations."

full protective clothing

fully protective gear that prevents skin contact with, inhalation of, or ingestion of gases, vapor, liquids, and solids (dusts, etc.). Includes SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus).

fume

an airborne dispersion consisting of minute solid particles arising from the heating of a solid (such as molten metal, welding).This heating is often accompanied by a chemical reaction where the particles react with oxygen to form an oxide.

fumes

an aerosol with solids as the dispersed colloids.

fumigant

a pesticide that is vaporized to kill pests; often used in buildings or greenhouses.

fund or trust fund

means the Hazardous Substance Superfund established by section 9507 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

fungi

as applied to water, simple, one-celled organisms without chlorophyll, often filamentous. Molds and yeasts are included in this category.

functional equivalent

term used to describe EPA's decision- making process and its relationship to the environmental review conducted under the National Environmental Policy act (NEPA). A review is considered functionally equivalent when it addresses the substantive components of a NEPA review.

functional groups

see Exchange Sites.

fungi

(singular, Fungus) molds, mildews, yeasts, mushrooms, and puffballs, a group of organisms that lack chlorophyll (i.e., are not photosynthetic) and which are usually non-mobile, filamentous, and multicellular. Some grow in the ground, others attach themselves to decaying trees and other plants, getting their nutrition from decomposing organic matter.Some cause disease, others stabilize sewage and break down solid wastes in composting.

fungicide

pesticides which are used to control, prevent, or destroy fungi.

FURS

Federal Underground Injection Control Reporting System.

FUSRAP

Formerly Used Sites Remedial Action Plan.

FVC

Forced Vital Capacity.

FVMP

Federal Visibility Monitoring Program.

FWCA

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.