578 vocabulary
Multinational corporation a powerful
business that works in many countries
at once. Because they are so large,
they have the power to influence
governments and make or change
global trading rules. Also called
transnational corporations.
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) an
illness that causes people to have
extreme allergic reactions to common
toxins in paint, perfume, cars, building
materials, and so on. Also called
environmental illness.
N
Naphtha a toxic solvent.
Natural fertilizer fertilizer made from
organic matter such as animal manure,
crop residue, or compost.
Natural gas a gas formed underground
or undersea that is stored and used as
fuel.
Natural pesticide pesticides made from
natural substances like plants (garlic,
peppers, marigold, and so on), milk, or
vegetable oil.
Natural succession the stages in which
plants develop on or recover from
destruction of an area of land.
Nickel a metal used in batteries,
electroplating, and smelting. Exposure
to nickel may cause health problems.
Nitrogen a naturally occurring chemical
that is important to healthy soil.
Nitrogen-fixing plants or trees trees or
plants that put nitrogen into the soil,
making it richer for growing things.
Node a bump on a tree branch where the
leaves grow.
Nonrenewable resource a resource that is
gone forever once it is used, such as oil.
Compare with renewable resource.
Non-timber forest product any of the
many things from a forest besides wood
which can be sustainably harvested
and sold.
Nursery a place where plants or trees are
grown and cared for until they are
strong enough to plant directly into the
ground.
Nutrient anything that feeds plants,
animals, or people. People need
nutrients in food to grow strong and
healthy, and plants need nutrients
in soil to grow strong and bear fruit.
When farmers add compost and
fertilizer to the soil, they are adding
nutrients.
Nutrition eating enough and the right
kinds of food to help a person grow, be
healthy, and fight off disease.
O
Obesity excess weight that creates serious
health problems.
Oil a fossil fuel, is a smooth, dark liquid
formed underground. Oil is used to
make petrol (gasoline), diesel, kerosene,
plastics, and many other industrial
products. Also called petroleum.
Oil refinery a factory where oil is made
into products such as gasoline and
other fuels, asphalt, and plastic. Oil
refineries are a major source of air
pollution.
Organic farming farming that does not use
chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Before
pesticides were invented, all farming
was organic farming. The word organic
also refers to the crops grown without
chemicals.
Organic certification farmers or producers
using organic or sustainable farming
methods can get certified to receive
higher and more stable prices for their
products. See also certification.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012