Glossary 
Absorbent
Commonly used term for a material designed to pick up and hold liquid hazardous materials
and prevent the spread of the penetration of one substance into the inner structure
of another.
Acetone
A volatile, fragrant, flammable liquid ketone used chiefly
as a solvent and in organic synthesis.
Acid
A substance that dissolves in water and releases hydrogen ions (H+). Acids
cause irritation, burns or more serious damage to tissue, depending on the
strength or concentration. Acids have a pH less than 7.
Acute exposure
A single event or occurring in a short period of time causing an immediately
noticeable symptom or effect.
Air purifying respirator
A device designed to protect the wearer from breathing harmful substances
in the air by removing contaminants through a filtering media, but not capable
of adding oxygen for the wearer's use.
Alcohols
Any of various compounds that are analogous
to ethanol in constitution and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons.
Alkaloid
Any of a number of colorless, crystalline, bitter organic substances,
such as caffeine, morphine, quinine, and strychnine, having alkaline properties
and containing nitrogen. They are found in plants and sometimes animals
and can have a strong toxic effect in humans.
Aluminum
A bluish silver-white malleable ductile light metallic element that
has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance
to oxidation.
Amine
A group of chemicals that are derived from
a combination of nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen. They are basic, having
a pH greater than 7. Usually combine readily with hydrochloric
acid or other strong acids to form salts.
Analogue
A component or part that is similar or comparable in certain respects.
Similar compound.
Anhydrous
An inorganic compound that does not contain water.
Aqueous
Of, like, or containing water, watery. Any solution in
which the solvent is
water.
Base
A corrosive material that reacts with acid to
form a salt and water. A base has a pH greater than 7.
Beaker
A jar-like container of glass or metal with a lip for
pouring, used by chemists, druggists, etc.
Benzene
A colorless volatile flammable toxic liquid aromatic
hydrocarbon used in organic synthesis,
as a solvent, and as a motorfuel.
Boiling point
The temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor at
a given pressure.
CPC
Chemical protective clothing.
Carcinogen
Any substance that produces cancer.
Case agent
A Peace Officer in charge of an investigation, and the person responsible for
execution of a search warrant.
Catalyst
Any substance of which a small proportion notably affects the rate of reaction without
itself being consumed or undergoing a chemical change.
Caustic
A substance that strongly irritates and corrodes or destroys living tissue.
Chronic
Recurrent or over an extended period of time.
Clandestine laboratory
An illicit operation consisting of a sufficient combination of apparatus
and chemical that either have been or could be used in the manufacture/synthesis of
controlled substances.
Cleanup
The process of removing hazardous materials, wastes,
contaminants, equipment and glassware from a clandestine
laboratory. This does not include environmental remediation or recovery of
real property and structures associated with a clandestine drug laboratory.
Coleman fuel
A brand name camping fuel.
Compound
A substance containing two or more elements chemically combined in fixed
proportions (distinguishing it from a mixture, in that the constituents of
a compound lose the individual characteristics and the compound has new characteristics.)
Compressed gas
Any materials or mixture which, when enclosed in a container, has
an absolute pressure exceeding 40 psi at 703EF or exceeding 140 psi at
130EF.
Container
Any bag, barrel, bottle, box, can, cylinder, drum, reaction vessel,
storage tank, etc. used for storing substances.
Contamination
The process of transferring a hazardous
material from its source to people, animals, the environment, or equipment.
Corrosive
A liquid or solid that causes visible destruction or irreversible
alterations in building materials, metals, human skin tissue or other substances.
Cyanosis
A bluish coloration of the skin, caused by lack of oxygen in the blood.
DEC Response Team
Drug Endangered Children Response Team: Composed of law enforcement, child protective
services worker, district attorney and public health or medical personnel who
collectively respond in a coordinated manner to children found at home-based
illicit drug labs and sometimes to other endangering circumstances experienced
by children in homes severely affected by parental substance abuse.
Decontamination
The process of removing or neutralizing contaminants from personnel and
equipment.
Dehydrate
To remove water from, to dry, or to lose water.
Derive
To divest, to get or receive from a source, to obtain or produce (a
compound) from another compound by replacing one element.
Dermatologic
Pertaining to the skin.
Distillation
The process of heating a liquid to separate the more volatile from
the less volatile parts, then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so
as to produce a refined substance.
Drug paraphernalia
Materials designed for the purpose of illicit drug consumption, including
such items as syringes, razor blades, mirror, pipes for smoking, tubing, aluminum foil,
roach clips, etc.
Emergency
A sudden and unexpected event calling for immediate action.
Emulsion
A stable mixture in which one liquid is suspended as tiny drops in
another liquid such as oil in water.
Environmental hazard
A condition capable of posing an unreasonable risk to air, water, soil
quality, and to plants or wildlife.
Ephedrine (Pseudoephedrine)
A crystalline alkaloid extracted from Chinese
ephedras or synthesized and used in the form of a salt for relief of hayfever,
asthma, and nasal congestion.
Ester
An organic compound, comparable to an inorganic salt, formed by the reaction of
an acid and an alcohol, or phenol, with the elimination
of water.
Ether
Any of a series of organic compounds the molecules of which have an
oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms in hydrocarbon radicals. Low molecular
weight ethers are fire and explosion hazards. When they contain peroxides
they can detonate on heating.
Exothermic reaction
A chemical reaction that produces heat.
Explosive
A substance that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure,
gas and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure or high temperature.
Exposure
Any situation arising from work operation where an employee may ingest,
inhale, absorb through the skin or eyes, or otherwise come in direct contact
with a hazardous substance.
Eye protection
Recommended safety glasses, shields, goggles or headgear to be utilized
when handling a material.
Flammable
A chemical property defined as having a flash
point less than 140EF. (USDOT) The term is normally applied to materials
that ignite easily and burn rapidly.
Flash point
The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough flammable vapor in
air to ignite and produce a momentary flame when an ignition source is present.
Forensic scientist
A crime laboratory chemist or Drug Enforcement Administration chemist
trained in chemical and comparative analysis of physical evidence. Forensic
scientists assigned to clandestine laboratory investigations have specialized
experience and/or training in illicit drug manufacture.
Freon
Any of a series of gaseous or low boiling, inert, nonflammable derivatives
of methane or ethane used as refrigerants and solvents,
and as propellants in aerosol products.
Halogen compounds
Chemical compounds containing elements from Group Vii A of the Periodic
Table such as chlorine, bromine, fluorine, chlorine or iodine.
Hazardous
A term used to identify substances or conditions capable of posing
an unreasonable risk to health and safety.
Hazardous material
A substance or combination of substances which in its normal use, because
of it concentration, physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics,
may cause injury or death to people.
Health hazard
A chemical or mixture of chemicals for which there is statistically significant
evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established
principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur
in exposed personnel.
Hydrochloric acid
An aqueous solution of hydrogen
chloride that is a strong corrosive, irritating acid, widely used in industry
and in the laboratory.
Ingestion
To take in for or as if for digestion.
Inhalation
The respiration of chemical gas, fumes or dust
particles.
Irritant
A material that will cause an inflammatory response or
reaction of the eyes, skin or respiratory system.
Lithium
A soft silver-white element of alkali metal group that is the lightest
metal known and that is used in chemical synthesis and
in storage batteries.
MOU (memorandum of understanding)
A cooperative agreement among public and/or private agencies that details the
roles and responsibilities of each agency and how they will work together.
Methamphetamine
A type of stimulant in the amphetamine family that is highly addictive in nature
and is typically used illicitly as a drug of abuse.
Mercuric chloride
A heavy crystalline poisonous compound used as a disinfectant and fungicide and
in photography.
Metabolic process
The chemical changes in living cells by which energy is provided for vital processes
and activities and new material is assimilated to repair the waste.
Mom and pop labs
Law enforcement term for home-based, small-scale clandestine labs.
Neurologic
Pertaining to the nervous system.
Organic
A term used for compounds that are based on a carbon/hydrogen structure.
Penal code (PC)
That part of state law administered by the criminal justice system.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
The clothing and equipment provided to shield or isolate a person from the chemical,
physical, and thermal hazards that may be encountered at a clandestine laboratory
site.
pH
The indicator or value (from 1 to 14) used to describe how acidic or how
alkaline a solution or chemical is. Pure water has
a pH of 7, acids have a pH between 1 and 7, and bases have
a pH between 7 and 14.
Phencyclidine (pcp)
A powerful, highly addictive psychedelic capable of causing mental
or emotional disorders or death. (1-[phenylcyclohexl] piperidine)
Phenyl-2-propanone (p2p)
A precursor for various drugs including amphetamine, methamphetamine,
and alpha-methylfentanyl. (Classified as a controlled substance, AKA: phenyl acetone,
methyl benzyl ketone, MBK).
Porosity
The relative ability of surfaces and substances to absorb, retain or
pass chemicals.
Precursor
An intermediate compound (essential ingredient) that is converted to
a specific functional substance.
Protective clothing
Clothing designed to protect the wearer from the harmful effects of hazardous materials.
Psychoactive
Affecting the mind or behavior.
Qualified person
A person with specific training, knowledge and experience in a subject or discipline
for which they have specific responsibility and authority.
Reaction
A chemical transformation or change; the interaction of two or more substances
to form new substances. Any substance used in a reaction for the purpose of detecting,
measuring, examining or analyzing other substances.
Reducing agent
A chemical or substance that combines oxygen, or loses electrons during a chemical reaction.
Reproductive toxin
Chemicals that affect the reproductive system including chromosomal damage to
fetuses.
Respiration
A single complete act of breathing.
Respiratory protection
Equipment designed to protect the wearer from the inhalation of
contaminants.
Response
That portion of the incident management in which personnel are involved in controlling
a hazardous materials incident.
Safety officer
Personnel assigned specific unit safety related responsibilities. Mandated
position under OSHA regulations.
Sampling
The process of collecting a representative amount of gas, liquid, or
solid for analytical purposes.
Search warrant
An order in writing in the name of the people, signed by a magistrate, directed
to a peace officer, commanding that peace officer to search for personal property,
and bring it before the magistrate.
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
A respirator designed to protect the wearer from the inhalation of
harmful atmospheres by providing a clear air source carried by the wearer.
Short-term exposure limit
A term used by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH) to indicate the maximum average concentration allowed for a continuous
15-minute exposure period in the workplace.
Solubility
The ability of a substance to dissolve in another substance.
Solution
Mixture of one or more substances in which all ingredients are completely
dissolved.
Solvent
Substances capable of dissolving another substance (solute) to form a uniformly
dispersed mixture (solution).
Stabilization
The point in time, at a hazardous materials incident,
when the adverse behavior of hazardous materials is
controlled.
Sulfuric acid
A heavy corrosive oily dibasic strong acid that is colorless when in pure form
and is a vigorous oxidizing and dehydrating agency
Synthesis
The formation of complex compounds by combining two or more chemicals.
Teratogen
A chemical capable of producing reproductive harm or birth defects generally
through cell dysmorphology.
Toluene
A liquid aromatic hydrocarbon that resembles benzene but
is less volatile, flammable and toxic and is used as a solvent in organic synthesis.
Toxic
A harmful substance that usually has a biological origin.
Toxicity
The capacity of materials to produce adverse health effects as a result of exposure to
that material.
Tweaking
The period of depression, paranoia, aggressive behavior, confusion, irritability,
insomnia, and nervousness following a meth induced high.
Unstable
The tendency of a material to decompose or otherwise undergo unwanted
chemical change during normal handling or storage.
Vapor
The gas given off, with or without the aid of heat, by substances that under
ordinary circumstances are liquid.
Volatility
The ability of chemicals to become a gas or vapor at relatively
low temperatures.
Wastes
Unusable by-products from chemical processing operations. Typically found as
cake, sludge or liquid.
Source: DEC Health and Safety Manual (Revised)
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