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BBP is a phthalate that is mainly used as an additive for plasticising PVC or other polymers.
Other examples of applications include: perfumes, hair sprays, adhesives and glues, automotive products, vinyl floor coverings
At present, BBP is banned in all toys and childcare articles (see European Directive 2005/84/EC) and in cosmetics, including nail polish as it is considered to be carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR-substance) (see European Cosmetics Directive). (Source: GreenFacts)
Clear, watery fluid of the blood that separates when blood clots. (Source: GreenFacts)
Any one of a group of diseases that occur when cells in the body become abnormal and have the potential to spread and establish growth in nearby tissues and other parts of the body (malignancy). (Source: GreenFacts )
A theoretical risk for getting cancer if exposed to a substance every day for
70 years (a lifetime exposure). The true risk might be lower.
(Source:
ATSDR
Glossary of Terms
A fat-like substance that is found in certain foods and is also produced in the body.
Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in different packages called
lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL
or "bad" cholesterol) deliver cholesterol to the body, while high-density
lipoproteins (HDL or "good" cholesterol) take cholesterol out of the
bloodstream.
(Source: PBS
Glossary of Medical Terms
"Dioxins" refers to a group of chlorinated organic chemicals with similar chemical structures.
In all GreenFacts publications the term "dioxins" is used to cover both polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs). Other sources may refer to these compounds as "dioxins and furans".
Some dioxins have harmful properties, depending on the number and position of chlorine atoms. One of the most toxic dioxin is known as TCDD (2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin). Some PCBs which have similar properties are considered "dioxin-like". (Source: GreenFacts)
A natural or man-made chemical that can interfere with endocrine glands and their hormones or where the hormones act - the target tissues. (Source: GreenFacts)
A network of glands distributed throughout the body forms the endocrine
system. These glands produce hormones that
are released into the circulation and distributed to distant target sites via
the blood. Hormones produced by these glands act as chemical messengers to
control body functions such as growth, metabolism, sexual development, and egg
and sperm production.
(Source:
EMCOM
Glossary
The layer of tissue that lines the uterus.
(Source:
NCI
Dictionary of Cancer Terms
A benign condition in which tissue that looks like endometrial tissue grows in abnormal places in the abdomen [outside the uterus].
(Source:
NCI
cancer.gov dictionary
"The Environment DG is one of 36 Directorates-General (DGs) and specialised services which make up the European Commission. Its main role is to initiate and define new environmental legislation and to ensure that measures, which have been agreed, are actually put into practice in the Member States."
The mission statement of the Environment DG is: "to promote Sustainable Development, preserving the rights of future generations to a viable environment; to work towards a high level of environmental and health protection and improvement of the quality of life; to promote environmental efficiency; to encourage the equitable use, as well as the sound and effective management, of common environmental resources"
(Source: EC DG ENVI website
Studies on human populations, which attempt to link human health effects (e.g. cancer) to a cause (e.g. exposure to a specific chemical). (Source: GreenFacts)
Primary female sex hormone produced mainly by the ovaries. Estrogens are also produced in smaller amounts in the testes of men.
In women, estrogens are primarily involved with the development of female sexual characteristics and the maintenance of the reproductive system and menstrual cycle.
Estrogens are also thought to be important in the development of nerve cells and in the maintenance of a healthy heart.
The embryo is referred to as a foetus after it has reached a certain stage of
organ development (in humans this is eight weeks after conception).
(Source:
CSIRO
Glossary of
terms
Chemical messengers that help our body do different tasks. Hormones are
produced by the endocrine glands and then
sent all over the body to stimulate certain activities. For example, insulin is
a well-known hormone that helps our body digest food. Hormones regulate our
growth, digestion, reproduction and sexual function.
(Source:
EMCOM
Endocrine disruptors
glossary
A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
The health of a whole community or population is reflected in measurements of
disease incidence and prevalence, age-specific death rates, and life expectancy.
(Source:
MA
Glossary
The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work
together to defend the body against attacks by “foreign” invaders.
(Source:
NIAID
Immune System
Within a living organism or body. For example, some toxicity testing is done on whole animals, such as rats or mice.
(Source:
ATSDR
Glossary of Terms
Any animal lacking an internal skeleton such as a backbone or spinal column. Examples of invertebrates include worms, insects, oysters, and crabs.
The group includes all animals except fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. (Source: GreenFacts)
A statistical method of combining the results of a number of different studies in order to provide a larger sample size for evaluation and to produce a stronger conclusion than can be provided by any single study. (Source: GreenFacts)
The conversion or breakdown of a substance from one form to another by an
enzyme.
(Source: GreenFacts, based on ATSDR
Glossary of
Terms
A substance that is the product of biological changes to a chemical.
(Source:
US EPA
Glossary
Obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30.0 or greater
(Source: GreenFacts, based on WHO
Obesity
A toxic chemical product that kills
harmful organisms (e.g., insecticides,
fungicide, weedicides, rodenticides, acaricides).
(Source:
FAO
Glossary of biotechnology & genetic
engineering
Phthalates are a group of man-made chemicals that are structurally related to the organic acid, phthalic acid. The most important use of phthalates is in plastics, especially PVC, where they act as plasticisers. (Source: based on the GreenFacts Digest on phthalates)
The hypophysis or pituitary gland is the master gland of the body. Compared
with other endocrine glands, it produces the largest number of hormones,
including some that control the other endocrine glands of the body.
(Source:
EM-com
Endocrine disruptors
Glossary
A molecule on the surface of a cell that serves as a recognition or binding
site for antigens, antibodies or other cellular or immuniologic components.
(Source:
NIAID HIV vaccine Glossary
The likelihood of producing a significantly larger-than-average response to a specified exposure to a substance.
The production of a substance by either joining chemical elements, groups, and/or simpler compounds or breaking down a complex compound. (Source: GreenFacts )
The thyroid gland consists of two bodies like small walnuts; they are
connected by an isthmus beside the larynx (voice box). The thyroid gland
produces thyroid hormones T3 and T4 which
regulate the metabolism of all cells in the
body. Disorders of the thyroid gland are characterized by the inability to
produce or release sufficient thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) or the
overactivity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
(Source:
EMCOM
Endocrine Disruptors
Glossary
The study of the harmful effects of substances on humans or animals.
(Source:
ATSDR
Glossary of Terms
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