The process by which fats, oils and other lipids are decomposed, often resulting in undesirable odors and flavors, reducing nutritional value and introducing harmful oxidative compounds.

Single exposure to an environmental condition (not lasting more than a day). Acute exposures contrast with chronic exposures, which are prolonged and repeated. Single exposures still have effects on health.

Measure of ultraviolet radiation, usually ranging from 1 to 12 during the day on earth. Each unit equals 25 mW/m², weighted to the human erythema response.

Process of metabolism in which cells produce ATP aerobically within the mitochondria and is the primary energy process of cells.

Oils that are highly processed to remove impurities and therefore to withstand cooking heat. This usually leaves the oils prone to oxidation.

Most commonly detected nitrosamine in water supplies. Likely carcinogenic and formed as a result of reactions with chloramine.

Heat transfer through physical contact with another object.

Monochromatic color that can be produced by shining white light through a prism.

Any eating pattern in which the timing of calorie-consumption is restricted on a daily or weekly basis. A common intermittent fasting pattern is characterized by an 8-hour eating window and a 16-hour fasting period.

A metallic material made of a mixture of two or more metallic elements with nonmetallic elements, usually to impart non-corrosive properties.

Petroleum-based synthesized fertilizers were one of the major breakthroughs of the industrial and green revolutions. Today nearly half of all crop yields are directly attributable to synthetic commercial fertilizer. Although these fertilizers can boost yields, over time they lead to lower nutrient content in food, decreased soil biodiversity and are a major source of environmental pollution.

Sound waves are pressure variations in a medium (air, water, etc.). The pressure differences create vibrations and are ultimately interpreted as sounds/noises when they reach the ears.

Food sensitivity usually caused by difficulty digesting a particular food that does not involve an immune system response or the release of histamine.

Evaluation of toxicity or other effect of a substance or condition through exposure of living animals. A type of in vivo experimentation, as opposed to in vitro.

The liquid within the inner ear (cochlea).

Test used to detect the presence or quantity of a substance based on its capacity to act as an antigen or antibody.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The core functions of the agency are: Medical Products and Tobacco, Foods and Veterinary Medicine, Global Regulatory Operations and Policy and Operations.

Programmed cell death, usually in response to a disabled poisoned cell.

Nerve cells which relay messages from sensory organs to the CNS.

The integrated body system of organs, tissues, cells and cell products such as antibodies that differentiates self from non-self and neutralizes potentially harmful organisms or substances.

A full time employee is one who works at least the minimum amount of hours as definied by his or her employer. This is generally defined as 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

A condition in which arterial walls harden and narrow as the result of accumulating plaque within the inner lining of the artery.

High energy particles made of electrons or protons and neutrons which are produced during radioactive decay.

A poison that targets the reproductive system.

Surfaces that are frequently touched by building users and occupants such as door knobs, hand rails and tables. See Table A1.

Multiple glands of the endocrine system working together in a specific order.

Oxidative rancidity occurs during a free radical process where the double bonds of an unsaturated fat are cleaved in the presence of oxygen, relasing volatile aldehydes and ketones.

Protozoa that can live in the small intestine of humans and lead to severe digestive problems.

Molds that can have a harmful effect when inhaled or ingested.

Form or state of a substance that governs whether a contaminant will be assimilated into a cell if it is bioavailable.

Mallet shaped bone in the middle ear located between the incus and the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

Permit program established by the federal government in 1972 to control point-source discharges of wastewater to lakes, streams, wetlands and other surface waters.

A type of oil in which fatty acids held in triglycerides have been reconfigured. These fats were designed to replace trans-fats in commercial baked goods and processed foods. There is little known about their health effects.

A typically brown mineral with crystal or gem-like qualitie. Chief ore of zirconium.

Defective or insufficient absorption of nutrients from the small intestine.

The overview of a substance surmising health effects via levels of exposure, routes of entry and toxicity testing.

A colorless, flammable, water-soluble, poisonous gas, having the odor of rotten eggs and used in the manufacture of chemicals, in metallurgy and as a reagent.

The region draining into a river, river system or other body of water.

Smallest level of daily ingestion of at substance shown to have some harmful effect on laboratory test animals. Always larger than the No Observed Adverse Effect Level.

The ability of an organism to maintain its body temperature within certain boundaries. Thermoregulation is one of the key aspects of homeostasis.

Nourishing, neuroprotective and immune-supporting compounds that are converted from dietary medium-chained fatty acids in the liver. Ketone-producing diets increase HDL, improve weight loss and kill or inhibit the growth of parasites, viruses and fungi. Ketogenic diets can protect and heal neurons, improving spinal injury recovery time, reducing the severity of and in some cases reversing epilepsy, alzheimers, MS and parkinson's disease, autism and schizophrenia.

An acute episode of heart disease marked by the damage of heart muscle due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle, also called a heart attack.

The simplest organic compound - made up of four carbon-hydrogen bonds.

Process of metabolism which occurs during strenuous exercise in which cells produce ATP anaerobically and generate lactic acid as a byproduct.

Any single-celled eukaryotic (having a nucleus) organism, such as an amoeba.

Physical stimuli which have an impact on the body's circadian rhythm. Examples include light, temperature and eating or drinking behaviors.

Substances that are poisonous to the ecosystem.

A single molecule that may bind chemically with like others to create a ring or chain termed a polymer.

An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation in the large intestine and rectum characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea.