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PEL

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is the maximum amount or concentration of a chemical that a worker may be exposed to under OSHA regulations. OSHA PELs are based on an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure. PELs for over 500 chemicals may be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh/81-123.html

Percutaneous

Movement through the skin.

Petroleum Distillate

Petroleum distillates, also called hydrocarbons or petrochemicals, refer to a broad range of compounds that are extracted by distillation during the refining of crude oil. Petroleum distillates pose a special health risk if ingested and vomited. When swallowed, the lighter, more volatile distillate products can be sucked into the lungs interfering with the lung's functions and chemical pneumonia may result. Aspiration of fluid into the lungs can occur both during swallowing and vomiting of the product. Upon skin contact, petroleum distillates can produce local skin irritation and sensitivity to light in some individuals. Many brands in this database contain petroleum distillates, however, manufacturers may not indicate the specific distillate used in their products.

Pharmacokinetics

Quantitation of the time course of chemical absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.

Pharmacology

The science that deals with the origin, nature, chemistry, effects and uses of drugs.

Phototoxic

The enhanced toxicity of a substance in or on the skin due to exposure to light (usually ultraviolet light).

Poison

A substance capable of causing toxicity when absorbed into the body in a relatively small quantity. In case of a poisoning emergency call 911 immediately or 800-222-1222 for advice.

PPB

Parts per billion. The number of units of a substance in a billion units. PPB is a common concentration unit for dilute samples of dissolved substances or airborne substances.

PPM

Parts per million. The number of units of a substance in a million units. PPM is a common concentration unit for dilute samples of dissolved substances or airborne substances. A solution with a concentration of 1 ppm has one gram of the substance for every million grams of solution.

Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary edema involves fluid accumulation and swelling in the lungs. It can be caused by direct lung injury from toxins including heat and poisonous gas, severe infection, or an excess of body fluid as seen in kidney failure.

Proposition 65

Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 was enacted to protect California citizens and the State's drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and to inform citizens about exposures to such chemicals. This Proposition requires the Governor to publish, at least annually, a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. The list may be found at www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html.

Primary Chemical Name

Primary Chemical Name is the standard name assigned to a chemical substance.

Product Classification

 

Products in this Consumer Product Information Database (CPID) are classified based on their composition:
Substances: single chemicals
Preparations: products which contain chemicals that can be easily separated during normal use
Articles: products or product assemblies that do not contain chemicals that can be separated out from the product or assembly under normal or advertised use.

 

pH Level

Measure of Alkalinity/Acidity of substance or preparation where a level of 7 is considered as neutral.

Precautionary Codes

Precautionary Codes and their associated descriptions are an essential part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
Precautionary Codes may be found in the "Advanced" version of Chemical Composition / Ingredients tables.