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TOXIC TORTS GLOSSARY |
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Glossary of Toxic
Torts Terms
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- M -
Malignant Mesothelioma: A very rare form
of cancer linked to asbestos exposure that occurs in the sac lining of the chest
(pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or the lining of
the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
Manufacturers Formulation: A list of
substances or component parts as described by the maker of a coating, pesticide,
or other product containing chemicals or other substances.
Margin of Safety: Maximum amount of
exposure producing no measurable effect in animals (or studied humans) divided
by the actual amount of human exposure in a population.
Material Safety Data Sheet: Printed
material concerning a hazardous chemical, or Extremely Hazardous Substance,
including its physical properties, hazards to personnel, fire and explosion
potential, safe handling recommendations, health effects, fire fighting
techniques, reactivity, and proper disposal. These were originally established
for employee safety by OSHA.
Maximum Contaminant Level: The maximum
permissible level of a contaminant in water which is delivered to the free
flowing outlet of the ultimate user of a public water system, except in the case
of turbidity where the maximum permissible level is measured at the point of
entry to the distribution system. Contaminants added to the water under
circumstances controlled by the user are excluded from this definition, except
those contaminants resulting from the corrosion of piping and plumbing caused by
water quality.
Mercury (Hg): Also known as
"quicksilver," this metal is used in the paper pulp and chemical
industries, in the manufacture of thermometers, thermostats, high efficiency
lighting and many other products and fungicides. In lighting, mercury is what
makes them energy efficient. Mercury exists in three biologically important
forms, elemental, inorganic and organic. Mercury is toxic to humans.
Overexposure to mercury can affect the nervous system, kidneys and other organs.
Mercury accumulates in animals that are high in the food chain (i.e.,
predators). Human exposure to mercury is largely due to eating contaminated
fish.
Mesothelioma: A malignant tumor of the
Mesothelium caused by exposure to asbestos fibers.
Methoxychlor: Pesticide that causes
adverse health effects in domestic water supplies and is toxic to freshwater and
marine aquatic life.
Micro-organisms: Bacteria, yeasts, simple
fungi, algae, protozoans, and a number of other organisms that are microscopic
in size. Most are beneficial but some produce disease. Others are involved in
composting and sewage treatment. Milligrams/liter (mg/l): A measure of
concentration used in the measurement of fluids. Mg/l is the most common way to
present a concentration in water and is roughly equivalent to parts per million.
Mitigation: Measures taken to reduce
adverse effects on the environment.
Mobile Source: Any non-stationary source
of air pollution such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, airplanes,
locomotives.
Municipal Discharge: Discharge of effluent
from waste water treatment plants which receive waste water from households,
commercial establishments, and industries in the coastal drainage basin.
Combined sewer/separate storm overflows are included in this category.
Municipal Sewage: Wastes (mostly liquid)
originating from a community; may be composed of domestic waste waters and/or
industrial waste waters.
Mutagenicity: The capacity of a chemical
or physical agent to cause permanent alteration of the genetic material within
living cells.
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