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Biological monitoring
Analyzing chemicals, hormone levels or other substances in biological materials (blood, urine, breath, etc.) as a measure of chemical exposure, health status, etc. in humans or animals. A blood test for lead is an example of biological monitoring.
Gradient
The change in a property over a certain distance. For example, lead can accumulate in surface soil near a road due to automobile exhaust. As you move away from the road, the amount of lead in the surface soil decreases. This change in the lead concentration with distance from the road is called a gradient.
Activated sludge
An aerobic biological process for conversion of soluble organic matter to solid biomass, removable by gravity or filtration.
Action level
The exposure level (the material's concentration in air) at which OSHA regulations to protect employees take effect (29 CFR 1910.1001-1047); e.g., workplace air analysis employee training, medical monitoring, and record keeping.
HSWA
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (1984); amendments to RCRA establishing a timetable for landfill bans and more stringent UST requirements.
Liquid trap
Means sumps, well cellars, and other traps used in association with oil and gas production, gathering, and extraction operations (including gas production plants), for the purpose of collecting oil, water, and other liquids. These liquid traps may temporarily collect liquids for subsequent disposition or reinjection into a production or pipeline stream, or may collect and separate liquids from a gas stream.
Ambient
Occurring over a short time, usually a few minutes or hours. An acute exposure can result in short term or long term health effects. An acute effect happens within a short time after exposure.
Health registry
A record of people exposed to a specific substance (such as a heavy metal), or having a specific health condition (such as cancer or a communicable disease). New York State maintains several health registries.
Marsh
A type of wetland that does not accumulate appreciable peat deposits and is dominated by herbaceous vegetation.Marshes may be either fresh or saltwater and tidal or non-tidal.(See: wetlands).
Odor threshold
The lowest concentration of a chemical that can be smelled. Different chemicals have different odor thresholds. Also, some people can smell a chemical at lower concentrations than others can.
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