Glossary

ACoP

Approved Code of Practice

ACTS

Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances

ALARP

as low as reasonably practicable

Asthmagen

Substance which causes asthma

BMGV

Biological monitoring guidance value

Carcinogen

Substance which causes cancer

Cardiovascular system

the heart and blood vessels

CHAN

Chemical Hazard Alert Notice

CHIP

Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations

COSHH

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

cytotoxic

cell poison

dyspnoea

tight chestedness

EH40

Occupational Exposure Limits list

EH64

Summary Criteria for Occupational Exposure Limits

Emphysema

lung disease characterised by breathlessness and barrel chest

Encephalopathy

any disorder of the brain

Epidemiology

study of the distribution and causes of disease in specific populations

Erythrocyte

red blood cell

genotoxin

substance that damages genetic material

Haematotoxin

blood poison

Hepatotoxin

liver poison

HSC

Health and Safety Commission

HSE

Health and Safety Executive

in vitro

experiments in test tubes or culture media

in vivo

experiments on live animals

Intraperitoneal

within the abdomen

LC₅₀

lethal concentration 50%

LD₅₀

lethal dose 50%

Lymphocyte

type of white blood cell involved in the immune system

MEL

Maximum Exposure Limit

Mesothelioma

cancer of lining of the chest

mg/m³

milligrams per cubic metre

mutagen

substance that causes mutations in cells

neoplasm

Tumour

Nephrotoxin

kidney poison

Neurotoxin

nerve poison

NOAEL

no observed adverse effect level

oedema

build-up of fluid in cells or tissues

OEL

occupational exposure limit

OES

Occupational Exposure Standard

PPE

personal protective equipment

ppm

parts per million

RPE

respiratory protective equipment

teratogen

substance which causes birth defects

TUR

toxics use reduction

urticaria

nettle rash-like skin reaction

WATCH

Working Group on the Assessment of Toxic Chemicals, sub-committee of ACTS