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Toxipedia: B
bacteria
Plural of bacterium. A single celled organism that lives in soil, water, organic material, plants or animals and multiplies by cell division. Some bacterium are important agents in the cycles of carbon, nitrogen and other matter. Others cause disease in animals and humans.
beeswax
Beeswax is the yellow to grayish-brown wax secreted by the honeybee for constructing honeycombs. Once processed and purified, it is used to make candles, crayons and even polishes! Beeswax emits no soot, no toxins and no smoke. It is known to release negative ions as it burns - nature's way of cleaning up pollution. And, it burns much longer, and slower.
benzene
A highly flammable solvent obtained from coal, toluene, or gasoline. It is poisonous when ingested and irritating to the mucous membranes. It is currently used in the manufacture of detergents, nylon, varnish, lacquer, resins, and oil. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of benzene in 1978 in the manufacture of many household products. Safety standards for workers that manufacture products containing benzene set a limit of 10 parts per million (ppm) for an 8-hour day. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) wants to reduce it to 2 ppm.
biocompatible
As distinct from biodegradable, biocompatible refers to products that break down not simply into basic elements, but into elements that are actually beneficial or not harmful to the environment.
biodegradable
Refers to the ability of a substance or product to break down into carbon dioxide, basic minerals and water. Organic matter such as dead plants and animals and their waste products biodegrade quickly in nature, which is why forests and other habitats are not littered with dead plants and animal carcasses! Manufactured products such as plastics, however, do not biodegrade readily, if at all.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Originally produced for use as a synthetic hormone in 1936, today bisphenol A (BPA) is manufactured in excess of six billion pounds per year. BPA is most commonly used as the building block of polycarbonate plastic for products such as baby bottles and water bottles, epoxy resins (coatings that line food containers), and white dental sealants. It is also an additive in other types of plastic used to make children?s toys.
More than 130 studies suggest that BPA exposure at very low doses is linked to a staggering number of health problems, including prostate and breast cancer, obesity, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, brain damage, altered immune system, lowered sperm counts, and early puberty.
Numerous studies show that polycarbonate plastics break down and leach BPA into food or beverages in contact with the plastic.
bleach
Though it can be used to define almost any whitening agent such as borax, dry oxygen bleach, or hydrogen peroxide, it most often refers to household chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach is caustic to human skin and emits highly toxic fumes. Never mix chlorine bleach with other cleaners, always wear gloves when handling chlorine bleach and only use and store it in a well-ventilated area away from children.
butyl alcohol
Can refer to any of the four (4) isometric alcohols of formula C(4)H(9)OH (n-Butanol, Isobutanol, sec-Butanol, tert-Butanol). Used in various cleaning products as an organic substitute for the extraction of carbon based dirt and stains (Oils, Organics and Synthetics). Butyl Alcohol on the scale of strength is stronger than water (~7.0) and equal to citrus in its ability to gently denature grime and extract dirt (~Ph 5.5). Stronger Acid-based cleaners have Ph's much lower than 5.5 (Peroxide 4.6, Hydroxyacetic Acid 3.83, L-group enzymes ~1.0-4.0). Similarly, bases such as Bleach, have a strong base of Ph ~12.
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