vocabulary 571
Artemisinin a medicine used to treat
malaria.
Asbestos a toxic material that does not
burn and has been used to make
fire-resistant building materials and
protective clothing. Asbestos is mined
and milled into tiny threads that can
get into the lungs and cause a serious
illness called asbestosis.
Asthma a disease of the lungs that causes
difficulty breathing, often with a
hissing or wheezing sound. Asthma
attacks are caused by specific allergens
and air pollution.
Autoclave a machine that disinfects using
steam heat and pressure. Commonly
used in hospitals and clinics.
B
Bacteria living things too small to
see. Some bacteria cause infectious
diseases, and are often called germs.
Other bacteria help break down
organic matter and keep soil healthy.
Benzene a dangerous solvent.
Bilharzia a disease caused by worms that
live in water snails. Also called blood
flukes and schistosomiasis.
Biodiversity the great number of different
kinds of plants, animals, and insects
that live on Earth.
Biogas mostly methane gas produced by
rotting organic matter. Biogas burns
cleanly and can be used for fuel.
Biomass waste material from plants and
animals, commonly used as a fuel.
Birth defect a physical or mental problem
a child is born with, such as a cleft lip
or mental slowness. Birth defects are
sometimes caused by toxic chemicals.
Also called genetic defects.
Black seed a seed from India and the
Middle East used in treating asthma
attacks. Also called Nigella sativa.
Bleach a chemical used to purify
water, and to disinfect surfaces and
equipment.
Blood fluke infection caused by a tiny
worm that lives in water snails. Also
called schistosomiasis and bilharzia.
Brominated flame retardant (BFR) a toxic
chemical used in many consumer
products such as electronics, furniture,
and textiles to reduce the danger of
them catching on fire.
Bronchitis a lung disease that causes
cough, fever, and pain in the chest.
Bronchodilator a kind of medicine used to
open airways, and relieve chest pain
and breathing problems.
C
Cadmium a toxic heavy metal used in
electronics and other production
processes.
Cancer a disease which causes cells to
grow in an uncontrolled way that
damages the body. Cancer can affect
many parts of the body. Many cancers
are related to toxic chemicals and
industrial pollution.
Carbon dioxide a gas that people and
animals breathe out, and that is
produced when fossil fuels are burned.
Carbon dioxide from burning fossil
fuels is the leading cause of global
warming. Also called CO2.
Carbon monoxide a poisonous, colorless,
odorless gas produced by cars,
cigarettes, burning natural gas, and
other sources. Also called CO.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012