ACIDS
How to Pronounce: aa’ – sids
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the word, –ACID itself
Common Use(s): in cleaners, in neutralizers/water treatments
Examples: acetic ACID (= vinegar), citric ACID (in lemon), hydrochloric ACID, sulfuric ACID
Common Routes of Entry: (mist) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): skin, eye (burns)
ALCOHOLS
How to Pronounce: aal’ – ko- halls
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –OL or in the word, –ALCOHOL itself
Common Use(s): in cleaners, may be in combination with other chemicals
Examples: isopropanOL (= isopropyl ALCOHOL), methanOL (= methyl ALCOHOL), ethanOL (= ethyl ALCOHOL)
Common Routes of Entry: (vapor) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): CNS, respiratory tract
ALDEHYDES
How to Pronounce: aal’ – dah – hides
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –HYDE or in the word, –ALDEHYDE itself
Common Use(s): in construction materials such as foam insulation or plywood, as a preservative
Examples: acetALDEHYDE, formALDEHYDE
Common Routes of Entry: inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): eye, respiratory tract
ALKANES How to Pronounce: aal’ – kanes
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –ANE
Common Use(s): as a fuel, in cleaners
Examples: methANE, propANE, butANE,
N-hexANE, octANE
Common Routes of Entry: inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): CNS, respiratory tract
AMIDES
How to Pronounce: aam’ – ids
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –IDE or in the word, –AMIDE itself
Common Use(s): in paints, in metal dyes, in flocculants
Examples: acrylAMIDE, dimethylformAMIDE, poly-
acrylAMIDE
Common Routes of Entry: (vapor) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): CNS, liver
AMINES
How to Pronounce: aam’ – eens
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –INE or in the word, –AMINE itself
Common Use(s): as flotation agents, in lubricants (metalworking fluids), in paints, in cleaners
Examples: diethylAMINE, ethanolAMINE,
hydrogen AMINE (= ammonia)
Common Routes of Entry: (vapor) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): eye, respiratory tract
ANTIFOAMS
Antifoams used in the water treatment industry.
ARENES (AROMATICS)
How to Pronounce: air’ – eens
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –ENE or in the word, –BENZENE itself
Common Use(s): in paints, in cleaners
Examples: BENZENE, naphthalENE, toluENE
(= methyl benzene), parachloroBENZENE
Common Routes of Entry: (vapor) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): blood, respiratory tract
ESTERS How to Pronounce: ess’ – tirs
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –ATE or in the word, –ACETATE itself
Common Use(s): in paints, in cleaners, as a preservative, as an odorant
Examples: ethyl ACETATE, isopentyl ACETATE (smells like bananas), methyl benzoATE
Common Routes of Entry: (vapor) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): eye, respiratory tract
GLYCOLS (= DIALCOHOLS)
How to Pronounce: gli’ – kalls
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the word, –GLYCOL itself
Common Use(s): in antifreeze, in hydraulic fluids
Examples: ethylene GLYCOL, diethyleneExamples:GLYCOL, propylene GLYCOL
Common Routes of Entry: (vapor and/or mist) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): CNS, kidney
HYDROXIDES
How to Pronounce: high – drok’- sides
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –IDE or in the word, –HYDROXIDE itself
Common Use(s): in Portland cement, in
cleaners, in neutralizers/water treatments
Examples: calcium HYDROXIDE (= lime), sodium HYDROXIDE, magnesium HYDROXIDE (in Rolaids)
Common Routes of Entry: (dust) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): eye, skin (burns)
KETONES
How to Pronounce: key’ – tones
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –ONE or in the word, –KETONE itself
Common Use(s): in cleaners, may be in combination with other chemicals
Examples: acetONE (= methyl KETONE), methyl ethyl KETONE (= MEK)
Common Routes of Entry: (vapor) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): CNS, respiratory tract
NITRILES
How to Pronounce: nigh’ – trials
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the letters, –ILE or in the word, –NITRILE itself
Common Use(s): in cleaners, in fibers/plastics
Examples: acetoNITRILE, acryloNITRILE, acrylo-NITRILE butadiene styrene (ABS), adipoNITRILE
Common Routes of Entry: (vapor and/or mist) inhalation, skin
Common Target Organ(s): blood, CNS
OXIDES (METAL)
How to Pronounce: auk’ – sides
Group of Chemicals: names often end in the word, –OXIDE itself
Common Use(s): in welding rods, in steel
Examples: cadmium OXIDE, iron OXIDE, zinc OXIDE (in some ointments for burns)
Common Routes of Entry: (dust and/or fume) inhalation
Common Target Organ(s): respiratory tract
PEROXIDES
Group of Chemicals: names often begin or end with the word, PEROXIDE
Common Use(s): Peroxides are powerful oxidizing agents. They are unstable, releasing oxygen when heated.
Examples: chemical compound that contains oxygen atoms in the group -O2-, e.g. hydrogen peroxide
Common Routes of Entry: skin
Common Target Organ(s): various, depending upon the chemical term that follows (e.g., cyanide)
PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
Petroleum distillates is the term commonly used to refer to aliphatic hydrocarbons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons can actually be divided into two groups: petroleum distillates and synthetic paraffinic hydrocarbons. We use petroleum distillates to mean both types of products.
Petroleum distillates include mineral spirits, kerosene, white spirits, naphtha, and Stoddard solvent. These products may contain trace amounts of benzene and other aromatics.
“SALTS”
Group of Chemicals: names often begin or end with the word, SODIUM– or POTASSIUM–
Common Use(s): various, but often a chemical that is mixed with water or another solvent
Examples: POTASSIUM cyanide, SODIUM lauryl sulfate (= soap), SODIUM chloride (= table salt)
Common Routes of Entry: skin
Common Target Organ(s): various, depending upon the chemical term that follows (e.g., cyanide)
