In order to understand the language and terms which refer to environmental issues, as well as governmental regulatory agencies, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the more commonly used abbreviations and their definition. These terms are constantly changing and evolving, therefore we feel it is necessary to be alert and recognize how they may effect your business or community.

The existing business and regulatory climate does not allow for ignorance as an excuse whenever any business comes under the scrutiny of environmental liability. Likewise, as a consumer the laws governing the use of a variety of products carry a high level of responsibility and liability. As a result, the following information will define the terms which have become a significant part of current TV, radio, newspaper and magazine reports when discussing regional or national environmental standards and/or violations.


ACM's
Asbestos Containing Materials
AFV's
Alternative Fuel Vehicles
API
American Petroleum Institute
AQMD
Air Quality Management District
ARTT
Association of Responsible Thermal Treatment
ASTM
American Society for Testing
Materials
ATS
Automated Tracking System
AVO
Average Vehicle Occupancy
AWMA
Air and Waste Management Association
BAT
Best Available Technology
BIF's
Boilers and Industrial Furnaces
CAA
Clean Air Act
CARB
California Air Resource Board
CEQA
California Environmental
Quality Act
CFC's
Chlorofluorocarbons
CTG's
Control Techiques Guidelines
CMA
Chemical Manufacturers Association
CNG
Compressed Natural Gas
CO
Carbon Monoxide
CO2
Carbon Dioxide
CRKA
Community Right to Know Act
CSMA
Chemical Specialities Manufacturers Association
CWA
Clean Water Act
DEQ
Department of Environmental Quality
DNAPL's
Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids
DNR
Department of Natural Resources
ECO
Employee Commute Option
EDF
Environmental Defense Fund
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
EPCRA
Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act
EV's
Electric Vehicles
HAZAP's
Hazardous Air Pollutants
HBFC's
Hydrobromofluorocarbons
HCFC's
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
HCSE's
Halogenated Cleaning Solvent Emissions
HFC
Hydrofluorocarbon
HON (NESHAP)
National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants
I & M
Inspection and Maintenance Programs
ICAC's
Institute of Clean Air Companies
IJC
International Joint Commission
ILEV's
Inherent Low Emission Vehicles
LEV
Low Emission Vehicle Program
MACT
Maximum Achievable Control Technology
MSDS
Material Safety Data Sheet
NESHAP
National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants
NOx
Nitrogen Oxide
NPDES
Natural pollution Discharge Elimination System
NRDC
Natural Resources Defence Council
OCPSI
Organic Chemicals, Plastics and Synthetic Industries
ODC's
Ozone Depleting Chemicals
OECA
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PCB's
Polychlorinatedbiphyenels
PPP
Pollution Prevention Planning
PEL's
Permissible Exposure Limits
PERC
Perchloroethylene
PIRG
Public Interest Research Group
POTW
Publicly Owned Treatment Works
PRP's
Potentially Responsible Parties
PSDR's
Prevention of Significant Deterioration Regulations
RCMA
Roof Coatings Manufacturing Association
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
SARA
Superfund Amendments and
Authorization Act
SIP
State Implementation Plan
SNUR
Significant New Use Rule
SO2
Sulfur Dioxide
SOCMI
Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry
SDWA
Safe Drinking Water Act
TAME
Tertiary Amyl Methyl Ether
TCE
Trichloroethylene
TCM's
Transportation Control Measures
TFC's
Totally Free Chlorine Products
TMDL's
Total Maximum Daily Loads
TRI
Toxic Release Inventory
TSCA
Toxic Substance Central Act
TUR
Toxic use Reduction
VMT
Vehicle Miles Traveled
VOC's
Volatile Organic Compounds
VOM
Volatile Organic Matter
WTI
Waste Technology Industry
ZEV's
Zero Emission Vehicles
ZEVOC
Zero Volatile Organic Content