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| bacteria |
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| 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. | | benzene |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 aren’t littered knee-deep in dead plants and animal carcasses. Manufactured products such as plastics, however, do not biodegrade readily, if at all. | | bleach |
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| 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. |
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