Lexikon

different systems of classification and labelling C&L of chemicals are currently used throughout the world. The same substance may be classified as “toxic” in the United States, “harmful” in the European Union and “not dangerous” in China. To eliminate these disparities and to reinforce protection for people and the environment in all countries, it was decided to develop a Globally Harmonised classification and labelling System GHS under the aegis of the United Nations. The GHS was formally adopted in 2002 by the United Nations Economic and Social Committee UN ECOSOC and revised in 2005 and 2007.
It aims to improve the communication on hazards for workers, consumers, emergency responders and in transport, via harmonised labels and where relevant, harmonised safety data sheets.
European Commission adopted in late 2008 the so called "CLP" regulation EC No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous substances and mixtures, which will replace in the medium term the current system.
This regulation takes into account the classification criteria and labelling rules of the GHS but it is also built on the 40 years of experience obtained through implementation of existing Community chemicals legislation.

Source: REACH, http://www.prc.cnrs-gif.fr/reach/en/classification.html

limit of quantification (LOQ) is the lowest concentration, which can be determined with acceptable precision and accuracy. For determination of LOQ the precision and accuracy should be also quantified. It can be calculated from the standard deviation of the blank measurement and the slope of the calibration curve. Usually the LOQ is given as 10 times the background noise.

low-input agriculture: a system of farming methods that minimize reliance on expensive inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and other purchased materials by using these "inputs" as efficiently as possible, or by replacing them with inexpensive organic fertilizers, biological pest controls, and ecological knowledge. Organic farming is one type of low-input agriculture.

The information required regarding manufacture and use of a substance is defined in Annex VI, 3, of REACH. It includes:

• Estimated total quantity manufactured, used in articles (subject to registration), and/or imported in tonnes/year (per registrant) in the calendar year of registration;
• Brief description of the process used in manufacture or production of articles (where relevant);
• Tonnage used for registrant’s own use;
• Form (substance, preparation or article) and/or physical state in which the substance is provided to downstream users, including,
  • Concentration (range) in preparations;
  • Quantities in articles;
• General description of identified uses;
• Information on waste quantities and composition form manufacture, use in articles and other identified uses.
• Uses advised against.

Source: http://www.reach-serv.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=160&Itemid=64

in the interests of clarity and rationality, the relevant EU Directives should be codified by assembling them in a single text.

The essential aim of any rules governing the production, distribution and use of medicinal products must be to safeguard public health. However, this objective must be attained by means which will not hinder the development of the pharmaceutical industry or trade in medicinal products within the Community.

The metamorphic rock is the result of the transformation of an existing rock type in a process called metamorphism, which means "change in form". The metamorphic rock is any rock derived from pre-existing rocks by mineralogical, chemical, and/or structural changes, essentially in the solid state, in response to marked changes in temperature, pressure, shearing stress, and chemical environment .The metamorphic rocks can be derived from sedimentary, igneous or another older metamorphic rock after having been subjected to heat and pressure (temperatures greater than 150 to 200 °C and pressures of 1500 bars) causing profound physical and/or chemical change. Metamorphic rocks make up a large part of the Earth's crust and are classified and named by texture, by chemical and mineral assemblage and by the characteristics of the preexisting rock. The mineral compositition of the metamorphic rocks depends on the composition of the preexisting rock, according to which the metamorphic rocks are grouped as: ultramafic, mafic, pellitic (clayee), carbonate bearing, quartz and quartz-feldspar containing rocks. Most metamorphic rocks are named based on their texture and structural features, and their mineralogy. The first step in naming a metamorphic rock is to always identify whether the rock is foliated or non-foliated. Among the foliated textures, metamorphic rocks are further classified based on how the minerals within the parent rock are affected by the changes in temperature and pressure. In general terms, increases in temperature and pressure result in different, more complex textures, and different foliated metamorphic rocks: foliated (slate, phyllite, schist, gneiss) and non-foliated. Non-foliated metamorphic rocks are usually named exclusively on the basis of mineral composition (hornfels, amphibolite, quartite). A close examination of the non-foliated rock will reveal the dominant one or two minerals within the rock. In some cases one may choose some prefix-type modifiers to attach to names to stress some important or unusual textural or mineralogical aspects. For example an “ortho”- prefix indicates an igneous parent, and a “para”- prefix indicates a sedimentary parent (orthogneiss, paragneiss). Metamorphic rocks are characterised by typical mineral assemblages according to the preexisting rock and the intensity of metamorphism. The intensity of metamorphism and the relevant metamorphic rocks are shown below:

• Very low intensity metamorphism (shale, metabasalt). Typical minerals: clay minerals, laumontite (zeolit), prehnite (zeolit).
• Low intensity metamorphism (serpentinite, chlorite shale, sericite shale). Typical minerals: sericit, pyrophyllite, chlorite.
• Medium intensity metamorphism (mica schist, marble). Typical minerals: mica, quartz, plagioclase, garnite, andalusite.
• High intensity metamorphism (eclogite, gneiss). Typical minerals: quartz, muscovite, biotite, plagioclase, kaliumfeldspar, sillimanite, staurolite.

microbially induced corrosion

microbial corrosion, also called microbially induced corrosion (MIC) is corrosion caused or promoted by microorganisms, usually chemoautotroph bacteria. It can apply to both metals and non-metallic materials.

alternatíve respiration of microorganisms under low or negative redoxpotential. The chlorine of the organochlorine compounds is used as an electron-acceptor during the respiration of the anaerobic soil microorganisms. The product of the chlorine-respiration is HCl, hydrochloric acid.

microbicides are chemical substances whose purpose is to kill microbes (such as bacteria, fungi or protozoa) or reduce their activity.

Microbocides can be antibiotics, bactericides, fungicides.

Antibiotics are antimicrobial compounds, used to treat infections caused by microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and protozoa. It kills, or inhibits the growth of the microbes.

In the natural environment antibiotics are produced by microorganisms which are antagonistic to the growth of other microorganisms. This natural inhibitory effect of antibiotics is copied by the synthetic antibiotics.

A bactericide is a substance that kills bacteria and, ideally, nothing else. Bactericides are either disinfectants, antiseptics or antibiotics.

Fungicides are chemical compounds or biological organisms used to kill or inhibit fungi or fungal spores. Fungicides are used both in agriculture and to fight fungal infections in animals and human.

microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are unicellular or cell-cluster microscopic organisms. This includes eukaryotes such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes. Viruses, though not strictly classed as living organisms, are also studied by microbiology. Microbiology refers to the study of life and organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Microbiology typically includes the study of the immune system, or Immunology. Generally, immune systems interact with pathogenic microbes; these two disciplines often intersect which is why many colleges offer a paired degree such as "Microbiology and Immunology".

Microbiology is a broad term which includes virology, mycology, parasitology, bacteriology and other branches. A microbiologist is a specialist in microbiology and these other topics.

Microbiology is researched actively, and the field is advancing continually. It is estimated only about one percent of all of the microbe species on Earth have been studied.^[3] Although microbes were directly observed over three hundred years ago, the field of microbiology can be said to be in its infancy relative to older biological disciplines such as zoology and botany.

microinjection is a technique for introducing a solution of DNA into a cell using a fine microcapillary pipet.

basic unit of length, one millionth meter: 1 micrometre = 0, 000,001 metre.
The symbol of micrometre is μm.
It is also called micron.

basic unit of length, one millionth meter: 1 micron = 0, 000,001 metre, or 1x10^-6 m.
The symbol of micron is μm.
It is also called micrometre.

small nuclei, separate from and additional to the main nuclei of cells, produced during telophase of mitosis (meiosis) by lagging chromosome fragments or whole chromosomes. There are two major versions of this test, one in vivo and the other in vitro. The in vivo test normally uses mouse bone marrow or mouse peripheral blood. The assay is now recognized as one of the most successful and reliable assays for genotoxic carcinogens, i.e., carcinogens that act by causing genetic damage.

a micronucleus test is a test used in toxicological screening for potential genotoxic compounds. There are two major versions of this test, one in vivo and the other in vitro. The in vivo test normally uses mouse bone marrow or mouse peripheral blood. The assay is now recognized as one of the most successful and reliable assays for genotoxic carcinogens, i.e., carcinogens that act by causing genetic damage. The mouse peripheral blood assay has been adapted for measurement by flow cytometry. The first use of micronuclei in cultured cells was in human lymphocytes. The assay has been improved for use in lymphocytes and other cells in culture cells. A micronucleus is the erratic (third) nucleus that is formed during the anaphase of mitosis or meiosis.

Using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes targeted to the centromere region, it can be determined if a whole chromosome, or only a fragment is lost.

mutagenic substances or agents are, those, which induce mutation in living cells. Mutagenicity refers to the induction of permanent transmissible changes in the amount or structure of the genetic material of cells or organisms. These changes may involve a single gene or gene segment, a block of genes or chromosomes.

Alterations to the genetic material of cells may occur spontaneously or be induced as a result of exposure to ionising or ultraviolet radiation, or genotoxic substances. In principle, human exposure to substances that are mutagens may result in increased frequencies of mutations above baseline. Heritable damage to the offspring, and possibly to subsequent generations, of parents exposed to substances that are mutagens may follow if mutations are induced in parental germ cells (reproduction cells). Mutations in somatic cells (cells others than reproduction cells) may be lethal or may be transferred to daughter cells with deleterious consequences for the affected organism. There is considerable evidence of a positive correlation between the mutagenicity of substances in vivo and their carcinogenicity in long-term studies with animals. The aims of testing for mutagenicity are to assess the potential of substances to induce effects which may cause heritable damage in humans or lead to cancer.

Mutagens are usually chemical compounds or ionizing radiation. Mutagens can be divided into different categories according to their effect on DNA replication:

• Some mutagens act as base analogs and get inserted into the DNA strand during replication in place of the substrates.
• Some react with DNA and cause structural changes that lead to miscopying of the template strand when the DNA is replicated.
• Some work indirectly by causing the cells to synthesize chemicals that have the direct mutagenic effect.

mutagenicity refers to the induction of permanent transmissible changes in the amount or structure of the genetic material of cells or organisms. These changes may involve a single gene or gene segment, a block of genes or chromosomes.
Alterations to the genetic material of cells may occur spontaneously or be induced as a result of exposure to ionising or ultraviolet radiation, or genotoxic substances. In principle, human exposure to substances that are mutagens may result in increased frequencies of mutations above baseline. Heritable damage to the offspring, and possibly to subsequent generations, of parents exposed to substances that are mutagens may follow if mutations are induced in parental germ cells (reproduction cells). Mutations in somatic cells (cells others than reproduction cells) may be lethal or may be transferred to daughter cells with deleterious consequences for the affected organism. There is considerable evidence of a positive correlation between the mutagenicity of substances in vivo and their carcinogenicity in long-term studies with animals. The aims of testing for mutagenicity are to assess the potential of substances to induce effects which may cause heritable damage in humans or lead to cancer.

Chemicals are defined as carcinogenic if they induce tumours, increase tumour incidence and/or malignancy or shorten the time to tumour occurrence. Carcinogenic chemicals have conventionally been divided into two categories according to the presumed mode of action. Non-genotoxic modes of action include epigenetic changes, i.e., effects that do not involve alterations in DNA but that may influence gene expression, altered cell-cell communication, or other factors involved in the carcinogenic process. The objective of investigating the carcinogenicity of chemicals is to identify potential human carcinogens, their mode(s) of action, and their potency.
Once a chemical has been identified as a carcinogen, there is a need to elucidate the underlying mode of action, i.e. whether the chemical is directly genotoxic or not. For genotoxic carcinogens it is assumed that, unless exception, there is no discernible threshold and that any level of exposure carries a risk. For non-genotoxic carcinogens, no-effect-thresholds are assumed to exist and to be discernable. Human studies are generally not available for making a distinction between the above mentioned modes of action; and a conclusion on this, in fact, depends on the outcome of mutagenicity testing and other mechanistic studies. In addition to this, animal studies may also inform on the underlying mode of carcinogenic action.
The cancer hazard and mode of action may also be highly dependent on exposure conditions such as the route of exposure. Therefore, all relevant effect data and information on human exposure conditions are evaluated.

Source: REACH

neurotoxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemical, biological, and certain physical agents on the nervous system and/or behavior during development and in maturity. Many common substances are neurotoxic, including lead, mercury, some pesticides, and ethanol.

Neurotoxicity testing is used to identify potential neurotoxic substances. Neurotoxicity is a major toxicity endpoint that must be evaluated for many regulatory applications. Sometimes neurotoxicity testing is considered as a component of target organ toxicity; the central nervous system (CNS) being one of the major target organ systems. In utero exposure to chemicals and drugs can also exert an adverse effect on the development of the nervous system, which is called developmental neurotoxicity (DNT).

Like other target organ toxicities, neurotoxicity can result from different types of exposure to a substance; the major routes of exposure are oral, dermal, or inhalation. Neurotoxicity may be observed after a single (acute) dose or after repeated (chronic) dosing.

Source: http://alttox.org/ttrc/toxicity-tests/neurotoxicity/

Network for Industrially Contaminated Land in Europe.
NICOLE (Network for Contaminated Land in Europe) was set up in 1995 as a result of the CEFIC “SUSTECH” programme which promotes co-operation between industry and academia on the development of sustainable technologies. NICOLE is the principal forum that European business uses to develop and influence the state of the art in contaminated land management in Europe. NICOLE was created to bring together problem holders and researchers throughout Europe WHO are interested in all aspects of contaminated land. It is open to public and private sector organisations. NICOLE
was initiated as a Concerted Action within the European Commission’s Environment and Climate RTD Programme in 1996. It has been self-funding since February 1999.
NICOLE’s overall objectives are to:
1) Provide a European forum for the dissemination and exchange of knowledge and ideas about contaminated land
arising from industrial and commercial activities; 
2) Identify research needs and promote collaborative research that will enable European industry to identify,
assess and manage contaminated sites more efficiently and cost-effectively; and
3) Collaborate with other international networks inside and outside Europe and encompass the views of a wide range of interest groups and stakeholders (for example, land developers, local/regional authorities and the insurance/financial investment community).
NICOLE currently has 156 members. Membership fees are used to support and further the aims of the network, including: technical exchanges, network conferences, special interest meetings, brokerage of research and research contacts and information dissemination via a web site, newsletter and journal publications. (Source: http://www.nicole.org)