The act of breathing or the heating of incoming air to the core body temperature (CBT) then breathing out.

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.

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.

A group of autoimmune diseases of the colon and small intestine, including chron's disease and ulcerative colitis.

A chemical or other agent that damages genetic material or reproduction, resulting in mutations or cancer.

Toxins produced by some species of mold, the toxins are very dangerous to humans and animals.

Heat transfer through physical contact with another object.

Alternative fuels or raw materials used in combustion processes.

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

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

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 engulfing and ingestion of a foreign particle.

Defective or insufficient absorption of nutrients from the small intestine.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

An acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by fever, chills, muscular pain and prostration.

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.

Any of a group of unicellular, multicellular or syncytial spore-producing organisms feeding on organic materials.

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

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

The theory positing a causal link between higher dietary saturated fat and cholesterol intake with plasma lipoprotein composition and heart disease.

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.

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

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

An organization that publishes and researches information on the sustainability of building materials and advocates environmentally friendly building materials and building policies.

Passed by congress in 1974, authorizing the EPA to set national limits on contaminant levels in drinking water making it safe for human consumption. Under this program, EPA regulates public water systems that provide "piped water for human consumption" and serve at least 25 individuals or has 15 service connections.

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

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

Added during material production to impart varying degrees of elasticity.

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.

Parameter of bones indicating the content of minerals such as calcium.

In terms of air pollution, regions are noncompliant if they fail to achieve standards set by NAAQS.

Resulting in toxicity of the fetus.

An alternative theory to the lipid hypothesis, positing that oxidized, relatively small, dense low-density-lipoproteins (LDL) are the primary cause of atherosclerotic plaque and CVD. This challenges the causal link between saturated fat intake and risk of heart disease.

Photosensitive cells in the eye used to differentiate colors and brightness in moderate and high levels of illumination.

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

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

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

Part of the brain that links the endocrine system with the nervous system through the pituitary gland.

The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are concentration limits set by the EPA for six pollutants known as criteria air pollutants; The NAAQS's primary standards set limits that protect public health, including sensitive populations, while the secondary standard limits are set to protect public welfare, such as visibility impairment and damage crops.

Part of the hypothalamus which regulates sex hormone release.

Photosensitive cells in the eye used to discern peripheral vision in low levels of illumination.

Law passed in 1972 to broadly regulate water pollution by imposing controls on pollutant discharge points and keeping track of water quality; In 1987, the government updated the act by including provisions for storm sewers and similar broad routes of pollution.

The organ of Corti contains the auditory hair cells that respond to the perilymph vibrations and transmit them into electrochemical impulses for the auditory nerve.

A disease that causes the formation of malignant cancer cells within the lining of the chest, abdomen or heart.

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.