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TOXIC TORTS GLOSSARY |
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Glossary of Toxic
Torts Terms
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B
C
D
E
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G
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I
J K
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- B -
Baycol: Baycol is one of several drugs
known as "statins" which help lower the so-called "bad kind"
of cholesterol. It does this by promoting production of high-density
lipoproteins (HDL), the "good" cholesterol that lowers the
artery-clogging risk of high levels of LDL. Baycol was withdrawn from the market
in August of 2001. It can cause skeletal muscle damage leading to a condition
called Rhabdomyolysis, which can result in kidney failure and death.
Bextra: Bextra, a pain-reliever used to
treat arthritis and other painful conditions, was withdrawn from the market in
April of 2005 following a study that used information from several Bextra trials
proposed that the use of Bextra in high-risk cardiac patients more than doubled
patient risk for heart attack and stroke.
Backflow: A reverse flow condition,
created by a difference in water pressures, which causes water to flow back into
the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source or sources
other than an intended source.
Bacteria: Microscopic living organisms
that can aid in pollution control by metabolizing organic matter in sewage, oil
spills or other pollutants. However, bacteria in soil, water or air can also
cause human, animal and plant health problems.
Best Management Practices: Structural,
nonstructural and managerial techniques that are recognized to be the most
effective and practical means to control non-point source pollutants yet are
compatible with the productive use of the resource to which they are applied.
BMPs are used in both urban and agricultural areas.
Bioaccumulants: Substances that increase
in concentration in living organisms as they take in contaminated air, water, or
food because the substances are very slowly metabolized or excreted.
Bioassay: A method used to determine the
toxicity of specific chemical contaminants. A number of individuals of a
sensitive species are placed in water containing specific concentrations of the
contaminant for a specified period of time.
Biochemicals: Chemicals which are either
naturally occurring or identical to naturally occurring substances. Examples
include hormones, pheromones, and enzymes. Biochemicals function as pesticides
through non-toxic, non-lethal modes of action, such as disrupting the mating
pattern of insects, regulating growth, or acting as repellants. Biochemicals
tend to be environmentally compatible and are thus important to Integrated Pest
Management programs.
Biodegradable: The ability of a substance
to be broken down physically and/or chemically by microorganisms. For example,
many chemicals, food scraps, cotton, wool, and paper are bio-degradable;
plastics and polyester generally are not.
Biologicals: Vaccines, cultures and other
preparations made from living organisms and their products, intended for use in
diagnosing, immunizing, or treating humans or animals, or in related research.
Biopsy: A procedure performed with a
needle or surgical incision to remove a tissue sample to determine the presence
of cancer cells through microscopic analysis.
Bioremediation: The use of living
organisms (e.g., bacteria) to clean up oil spills or remove other pollutants
from soil, water, and wastewater, use of organisms such as non-harmful insects
to remove agricultural pests or counteract diseases of trees, plants, and garden
soil.
Black water: Water that contains animal,
human, or food waste.
Brine Mud: Waste material, often
associated with well-drilling or mining, composed of mineral salts or other
inorganic compounds.
Bronchoscopy: A thin, lighted tube
inserted through the nose or mouth to examine the breathing passages at the
entrance to your lungs.
Buffer strips: Strips of grass or other
close-growing vegetation that separate a waterway (ditch, stream, creek) from an
intensive land use area (subdivision, farm); also referred to as filter strips,
vegetated filter strips, and grassed buffers.
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