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Chlorine online - Glossary of chlorine and other chemical related terms Category: Sciences > Chlorine Date & country: 04/12/2007, UK Words: 74

WHO
World Health Organization: the United Nations specialised agency for health. Its objective is “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible levels of health.�

VCM
Vinyl chloride monomer or chloroethylene, a colourless, flammable gas, used principally in making polyvinyl chloride, an important synthetic resin.

UNICE
Union des Industries de la Communauté Européenne / Union of Industrial and Employers` Confederations of Europe.

UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme: Mission: “To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.�

UNECE
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe: Mission: “To strive to foster sustainable economic growth among its 55 member countries. To that end UNECE provides a forum for communication among States; brokers international legal instruments addressing trade, transport and the environment; and supplies statistics and economic and environmental ana…

Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene is mainly used in the degreasing of metals. Under the VOC Directive, its use in that application is restricted to enclosed systems in all new installations; old installations will have to comply with stringent emission limits after April 2007. Trichloroethylene also is used to a much lesser extent in adhesive and aerosol formulati…

Tetrachloroethylene
Chemical name of perchloroethylene (see under that name).

Toxaphene
Commercial name of an insecticide, a mixture of isomers obtained by chlorination of camphene. It was used primarily to control insect pests on cotton and other crops. It is classified as a POP and is now banned in Western Europe.

Sensitisation
Development of an allergic reaction, especially involving the skin or lungs when exposed to a chemical.

Solvent
A solvent is a liquid that has the ability to dissolve, suspend or extract other materials, without chemical change to the material or solvent. Solvents make it possible to process, apply, clean or separate materials. Water is an inorganic solvent. Organic solvents include hydrocarbon solvents, oxygenated solvents and chlorinated solvents.

REACH
Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals: the EU chemicals policy. It is expected to require companies that manufacture or import more than one tonne of a chemical per year to register it in a central database managed by the EU chemicals Agency. The policy is described in the EU White Paper “Strategy for a future Chemicals Policy�. M…

PVC
Polyvinyl chloride, a polymer of vinyl chloride used to make a diverse range of cost-effective products with various levels of technical performance suited to a wide range of applications. Many of these PVC products are used everyday and include everything from medical devices such as medical tubing and blood bags, to footwear, electrical cable, pa…

PTBs
Chemicals which are persistent, toxic and liable to bioaccumulate.

POPs
Persistent organic pollutants, a group of PTBs which are capable of long-range transport and deposition; they are believed to be transported primarily in the atmosphere. These have global effects. Most are already banned in Western Europe but some are still in use in developing countries. The POPs include the following 12: PCBs, dioxins and furans,…

Phthalates
A family of chemicals, produced from phthalic anhydride and alcohols, frequently used as plasticisers to give flexibility to PVC.

Plasticiser
A plasticiser is a substance which when added to a material, usually a plastic but also a paint or an adhesive, makes it flexible, resilient and easier to handle. Modern plasticisers are manmade organic chemicals; the majority of which are esters, such as adipates and phthalates. They are major components that determine the physical properties of p…

Persistence
Stability of chemical compounds in the environment. Persistence is an important negative criterion in the ecological assessment of chemicals.

Perchloroethylene
Perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene is the primary solvent used in the industrial and commercial dry-cleaning of clothes. Its other major uses are as a metal cleaning and degreasing solvent, and as a chemical intermediate in the production of several fluorinated compounds. See other information and comments under 'Chlorinated Solvents'.

Pcdds And Pcdfs
Customary abbreviations for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans referring to the dioxins and furans.

Pcbs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
PCBs form a group of compounds which were developed in the 1930s and were mainly used in the electricity supply industry and mining. Due to their accumulation in the food chain, production of PCBs was halted world-wide at the beginning of the 1980s and in 1996 an EC Directive was agreed requiring a phase-out of continuing uses (mainly in ageing ele…

OSPAR
The Oslo and Paris Commissions, which have the objective of protecting the Northeast Atlantic against pollution. Member countries range from Finland to Portugal and Iceland.

Organohalogen Compounds
Organohalogen compounds is the collective term used for compounds containing, in addition to carbon, elements of the halogen group, including astatine, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Organochlorine compounds form a sub-group of the organohalogen group.

OEL
Occupational Exposure Limit: General term for concentration of air contaminants above which people should not be exposed at work.

Organic Chlorine Compounds
Organic chlorine compounds constitute a group of more than 2,000 substances which are based on organic compounds (i.e. carbon-containing) with one or more chlorine atoms. The exceptional reactivity of chlorine enables it to be introduced into virtually all basic substances in organic chemistry. It is also very easy to trace, even in minute quantiti…

Monitoring
Area-wide analytical monitoring of chemical contamination.

Natural Chlorine Compounds
Chlorine is one of the elements most frequently found in nature; it is even more abundant than carbon. Chlorides, i.e. salts containing chlorine, are one of the few raw materials which will not be exhausted within the foreseeable future. Naturally-occurring chlorine compounds are present in our blood, skin and teeth, and chlorine in the form of hyd…

MIREX
A chemical that was used as a pesticide to control fire ants, and as a flame retardant in plastics, rubber, paint, paper, and electrical goods. It is based on perchloropentacyclodecane and classified as a POP. Under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Compounds, use of this chemical in Europe is subject to restrictions.

Methylene Chloride
Methylene chloride (dichloromethane), a versatile chlorinated solvent, is produced by chlorination of either methane or methyl chloride. It is used in a broad spectrum of applications: paint stripping, adhesives, aerosols, process solvent and tablet-coating agent in the pharmaceutical industry, solvent in polycarbonate production, blowing agent for…

Mercury
Mercury is a naturally-occurring element which is present in various ores. The major mined source in Europe has been in Spain (Almadén). Mercury has been used for 100 years in electrolytic chlorine production, is gradually being phased out in favour of membrane technology. Voluntary conversion of all mercury cells is expected to have been completed…

MAK
The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Place. It is responsible for setting MAK values (Maximale Arbeitsplatz-Konzentration: maximum workplace concentration - equivalent to an OEL) for chemicals.

IMO
The International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency, which is responsible for classification of chemicals for transport by sea (IMDG).

Hydrogen Chloride
Hydrogen chloride is a colourless gas with a pungent odour; its aqueous solution is known as hydrochloric acid. Hydrogen chloride is produced by burning hydrogen and chlorine together and is also a by-product of the chlorination of organic compounds. HCl is used in the production of PVC, ferric chloride and silicones.

Heptachlor
A fungicide based on 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methano-indene. It is a white powder that smells like camphor, and it was used extensively in the past for killing insects in homes, buildings, and on food crops, especially corn. It is now classified as a POP. Under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Compounds, use…

HELCOM
The Helsinki Commission, which has the objective of protecting the Baltic Sea against pollution.

HCl
Hydrochloric acid or hydrogen chloride.

Halogens
A family of chemical elements that comprises astatine, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

Furans
Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), often associated with dioxins (PCDDs), are not industrially produced as such but found as impurities in some heavy chlorinated chemicals and as by-products of combustion (from wastes, coal, petroleum products, wood....).

EPER
European Pollutant Emissions Register: established by the EU Commission in 2000. Member States must produce a triennial report on the emissions of industrial facilities to air and water. Early 2005, the European Parliament Environment Committee endorsed the new European Pollutants Releases and Transfer Register (PRTR), which will replace EPER from …

EOX
Abbreviation for 'Extractable Organohalogens'. The fraction of AOX which is extractable by a non-polar organic solvent. This fraction contains the relatively lipophilic (fat-soluble) organic compounds. EOX gives a better indication of the amount of organic halogens susceptible to lipophilic absorption. It often represents about one tenth of the AOX…

Environmental Pollutants
Substances introduced into the environment by man which may occur in quantities and concentrations sufficient to endanger living organisms or damage the environment.

Endrin
Endrin is a solid, white, almost odourless substance that was used as a pesticide to control insects, rodents, and birds. It is based on 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-6,7-epoxy-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-,endo,endo-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene; it is classified as a POP. Under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Compounds, use of this chemic…

Electrolysis
The process in which an electric current flowing through a water solution of a chemical breaks that compound up into its component parts. Chlorine is produced by electrolysis of brine (salt dissolved in water).

EEB
European Environmental Bureau (EEB): an international non-profit organisation with 143 members in 31 countries. Members are non-governmental organisations, dealing with environmental issues and nature protection.

Ecotoxicology
The study of the harmful effects of chemical compounds on species, population and the natural environment.

ECSA
European Chlorinated Solvent Association, the sector group of Euro Chlor dealing with chlorinated solvents.

Dioxins-Furans
Dioxin is a generic term for a group of more than 200 complex compounds, all of which contain chlorine (specialist name: polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans, PCDDs and PCDFs). Seventeen of the compounds in this group have been found to be toxic to varying extents. Their effect on living organisms greatly varies from one animal species to anot…

Dieldrin
This was a popular pesticide for crops like corn and cotton, based on 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-6,7-epoxy-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro,endo,exo-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene. It is now classified as a POP. Under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Compounds, use of this chemical in Europe is subject to restrictions.

CINET
International Committee of Textile Care. Dry-cleaning is a major application of perchloroethylene.

DDT
Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, a potent insecticide now only used for the prevention of malaria in specific regions of the world when approved by the World Health Organization (WHO position paper). It is classified as a POP. Under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Compounds, use of this chemical in Europe is subject to restrictions…

Chloroform
Chloroform, which is produced mainly by the chlorination of methane, is used as an intermediate in the production of refrigerants, agrochemicals and fluoropolymers. It is no longer used as an anaesthetic.

Chlorobenzenes
Important intermediates in the production of pharmaceuticals, perfumes, agricultural chemicals and paints. Chlorobenzenes are produced by the chlorination of benzene.

Chloroethylene
See vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).

Chlorofluorocarbon (Cfc)
A hydrocarbon in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by chlorine and fluorine. Fluorocarbons are used as a feedstock, as a refrigerant, as a solvent and as a blowing agent for plastic foam.

Chlorine
In its 'normal' state, chlorine is a greenish yellow gas, but at -34°C it turns to a liquid. It is the eleventh most common element in the earth's crust and is widespread in nature. Chlorine is a key building block of modern chemistry and used in three principal ways: direct use (e.g. to disinfect water); as a raw material for chlorine-containing p…

Chlorination
1. Introduction of chlorine into a chemical compound. 2. Sterilisation of drinking and swimming pool water or oxidation of undesirable impurities, using chlorine or its compounds. 3. Exposure of wool to chlorine solutions to prevent unwanted felting.

Chlorinated Solvents
Trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene), and methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane), are the main solvents in this group. Due to their non-flammability, these compounds have been widely used for cleaning metals in the electronics industry and for dry cleaning of clothes. The use of 1,1,1-trichloroethane …

Chlorinated Paraffins
Chlorinated paraffins are chemicals manufactured by chlorination of liquid n-paraffin or paraffin wax. The largest application for chlorinated paraffins is as a plasticiser and flame-retardant in flexible PVC. They are also used as plasticisers in paint, sealants and adhesives. Higher chlorine content grades are used as flame-retardants in a wide r…

Chlorinated Organic Compound
See Organic Chlorine Compounds

Chlorinated Aromatics
Collective term for chlorinated derivatives of benzene, toluene, phenol, naphthalene and bi-phenyl and other compounds containing at least one benzene ring. Chlorinated aromatics are widely used as intermediates in the manufacture of medicines, agricultural chemicals and paints.

Cefic
The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) is the Brussels-based organisation representing national chemical industry federations and chemical companies.

Chlordane
An insecticide based on 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methano-indene. It was used as a pesticide on crops like corn and citrus and on home lawns and gardens and it is now classified as a POP. Under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Compounds, use of this chemical in Europe is subject to restrictions.

Carbon Tetrachloride
Carbon tetrachloride is produced by the high temperature chlorination of propylene or methane. It is used as a feedstock in the production of CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs, as a process agent in the production of chlorine, to extract nitrogen trichloride, and as a solvent to recover chlorine from tail gas. It has been phased out in dispersive uses since 199…

Bleach
Bleach is produced by reacting chlorine into a dilute sodium hydroxide solution to give sodium hypochlorite. This solution is also known as 'Eau de Labarraque' and 'Eau de Javel'. Bleach is used for disinfection, water purification, sanitary cleaners and for whitening paper, soap, straw and cotton.

BREF
BAT Reference Document.

Biomagnification
This term denotes the accumulation of substances in a living organism from food intake. Simple organisms such as algae can absorb minute quantities of a substance which are transferred through the food chain to higher levels such as fish and preditory birds. Biomagnification along a food chain will result in the highest concentrations of a substanc…

Bioaccumulation
Bioaccumulation denotes the accumulation of a substance in a living organism as a result of its intake both in food and from the environment. Determination of the B-factor (Bioaccumulation Factor) is extremely important in the risk analysis of a compound.

Bioconcentration
Accumulation of a substance in an organism by absorption from the environment irrespective of any intake with food. The concept is of particular importance for aquatic life with regard to the absorption of those fat-soluble substances which are only broken down slowly.

BEPs
Best Environmental Practices: the application of the most appropriate combination of environmental control measures or strategies in order to reduce the impact of specific substances or applications.

BCF
Bio Concentration Factor: ratio between the concentration in an organism and the concentration in an environmental compartment (waterborne exposure only).

BAT
Best Available Techniques. BAT Standards are used to judge the performance of industrial processes and to provide a target for improvement plans. They are gathered in a BAT Reference Document (BREF).

Barcom
The Barcelona Commission, the objective of which is the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution.

AOX
Adsorbable Organic Halogens is a measurement often used in waste water testing to indicate the overall level of the halogens, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. This 'sum parameter' comes from a standard analytical procedure, which gives no information on the source or nature of halogens present nor on their toxicity. It has the advantage of b…

Aldrin
An insecticide based on 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro,endo,exo-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene. It degrades into dieldrin in the body and the environment. It was used in crops like corn and cotton and is now classified as a POP. Under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Compounds, use of this chemical in Europe is subject…

Adi Value
Acceptable Daily Intake is the highest tolerable daily intake of a substance, expressed in mg/kg bodyweight, which does not represent a health risk over the entire lifespan, calculated on the basis of all currently available data. The wording Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) is also often used.