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 industrial and chemical processes
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)
HYDROXYLS
How to Pronounce: high – drok’ – sils
Group of Chemicals: names often begin with the prefix HYDROXY–, end in –OL (for alcohols), or contain GLYCOL (for diols/dialcohols)
Common Use(s): in biofuels/fuels (ETHANOL), in plastics, polyester fibers, and adhesive manufacturing (polyvinyl alcohol), in solvents and automotive antifreezes/coolants (GLYCOLS), and in commercial air purification systems (using hydroxyl radicals to neutralize pollutants)
Examples: METHANOL (wood alcohol), ETHANOL (drinking/grain
alcohol), ETHYLENE GLYCOL (antifreeze), phenol (carbolic acid), Cholesterol
Common Routes of Entry: (vapor) inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion
Common Target Organ(s): liver, kidneys (specifically targeted by glycols), central nervous system, eyes and skin
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: Can be absorbed through the skin, the primary routes of entry into the body are actually inhalation (breathing in vapors or mists) and ingestion (swallowing).
Common Target Organ(s): Eyes, skin and respiratory system.
PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
Group of Chemicals: PETROLEUM DISTILLATES (often referred to as aliphatic hydrocarbons)
Common Use(s): Used as industrial solvents, fuel components, thinners, and ingredients in products like cleaners or lubricants
Examples: mineral spirits, kerosene, white spirits, naphtha, and Stoddard solvent
Common Routes of Entry: inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion
Common Target Organ(s): central nervous system, skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and kidneys
“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)
