Occurring over a short period of time. An acute exposure is
one which lasts for less than 2 weeks.
Agency for Toxic
Substances and
Disease Registry
(ATSDR):
The principal federal public health agency involved with
hazardous waste issues, responsible for preventing or reducing
the harmful effects of exposure to hazardous substances on
human health and quality of life. ATSDR is part of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
Aquifer:
An underground formation composed of materials such as
sand, soil, or gravel that can store and/or supply groundwater
to wells and springs.
Chronic:
A long period of time. A chronic exposure is one which lasts
for a year or longer.
Contaminant:
Any chemical that exists in the environment or living
organisms that is not normally found there.
Exposure:
Contact with a chemical by swallowing, by breathing, or by
direct contact (such as through the skin or eyes). Exposure may
be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).
Groundwater:
Water found underground that fills pores between materials
such as sand, soil, or gravel. In aquifers, groundwater often
occurs in quantities where it can be used for drinking water,
irrigation, and other purposes.
Hazardous substance:
Any material that poses a threat to public health and/or the
environment. Typical hazardous substances are materials that
are toxic, corrosive, ignitable, explosive, or chemically
reactive.
Media:
Soil, water, air, plants, animals, or any other part of the
environment that can contain contaminants.
Model Toxics Control
Act (MTCA):
The hazardous waste cleanup law for Washington State.
Organic:
Compounds composed of carbon, including materials such as
solvents, oils, and pesticides which are not easily dissolved in
water.
Plume:
An area of contaminants in a specific media such as
groundwater.
Remedial
investigation:
A study designed to collect the data necessary to determine the
nature and extent of contamination at a site.
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
(EPA):
Established in 1970 to bring together parts of various
government agencies involved with the control of pollution.
Volatile organic
compound (VOC):
An organic (carbon-containing) compound that evaporates
(volatilizes) easily at room temperature. A significant number
of the VOCs are commonly used as solvents.
