| percarbonate |
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| An oxidizing agent used as an alternative to chlorine bleach. Made from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide, percarbonate is used as a cleaning agent for protein films. |
| perfumes |
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| A perfume is any substance that emits a pleasant odor. Often, the scents are derived from plants or animals. Though the fragrances in most perfumes are environmentally benign, perfumes often contain other chemicals that are not. These include synthetic petroleum compounds such as benzene and other chemical irritants such as ethanol and ethyl acetate.In1988 the Food and Drug Administration banned 1988 methylene chloride (a carcinogen listed by the EPA as a hazardous waste) which was once a common ingredient in perfumes. |
| pesticide |
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| Pesticides are used to protect plants from predators such as insects ( insecticides) weeds (herbicides) and fungus (fungicides). Most are petroleum-derived synthetic organic chemicals. Although regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, traces of pesticides are detectable in most conventionally grown produce. High exposure to pesticides (sustained by professional pesticide applicators) has been linked to lung cancer, brain cancer, neurological disorders, and male infertility.If you choose to buy organically grown foods which are grown without the use of pesticides, look for The Organic Growers Association certification. |
| petroleum distillates |
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| Petroleum Distillates are chemicals obtained from the process of refining petroleum. They irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system, and their neurotoxic effects can cause organic brain damage. Many petroleum products are also carcinogenic. They are used in furniture polish, car waxes, heavy-duty cleaners, laundry stain removers, lice shampoo, pet flea-control products, and home and garden pesticides. |
| phosphates |
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| Minerals derived from calcium phosphate often used as water-softening agents in laundry detergents and automatic dishwashing detergents.Phosphates encourage rapid growth in plant life. Because they fertilize well, when introduced to an enclosed lake system, phosphates can cause an over production of algae. After the algae dies and begins to decompose, it can lead to a depletion of oxygen in the lake. |
| polyester |
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| An inorganic plastic that releases toxic fumes and does not absorb perspiration |
| polyethylene |
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| All plastics emit vapors. Thermoplastics -- plastics that soften with heat and harden as they cool down, such as vinyl and acrylic -- have a soft enough structure to vaporize easily, and will give off more gas as they are heated. Polyethylene is found in many common products, including chewing gum, drinking glasses, plastic bags, squeeze bottles, toys, carpet fibers, and food wrappers. It is a possible carcinogen. |
| polymer |
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| Characterized by their long chain structural units, strength and elasticity, polymers are chemical compounds or mixtures of compounds formed by polymerization (a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units). Plastics, rubber and even human tissue are all considered polymers. |
| post-consumer |
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| Post-consumer material has completed its life as a consumer item and has been discarded for disposal or recovery. It often refers to paper products such as newspaper, white paper and magazines, that have been recycled to make new products. |
| pre-consumer |
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| Material that has been discarded by commercial enterprise for disposal or recovery. Pre-consumer waste often refers to material such as paper products that has been recovered from industry and recycled into new products. |
