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Biodegradable: the ability of a substance to be broken down physically and/or chemically by microorganisms.

Carnauba Wax: a wax which comes from a native Brazilian tree, the carnauba palm. Carnauba is very popular for automobile waxes The wax comes in hard yellowish flakes which need to be suspended in a solvent (normally petroleum-distillates) to be broken down into a more suitable liquid form.

HDPE: a type of plastic, hdpe (high density polyethylene). It is widely accepted at recycling centers and can be recycled into piping, plastic lumber and rope.

Hypo-allergenic: a term first used in the cosmetic products industry with a claim to produce fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic products. Consumers with hypersensitive skin, and even those with "normal" skin, may be led to believe that these products will be gentler to their skin than non-hypoallergenic cosmetics. There are no Federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term "hypoallergenic." The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean. Manufacturers labeled as hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation of their hypoallergenicity claims to FDA.

Isopropyl alcohol: is a colorless, flammable chemical compound often used as a cleaner and solvent within the car care industry. According the the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) Isopropyl Alcohol is a carcinogen. In addition exposure can lead to eye, nose, throat irritation, drowsiness, headache, corneal burns or eye damage.

MSDS: a form  that gives detailed information about the nature of a chemical, such as physical and chemical properties, health, safety, fire, and environmental hazards of a chemical product.

PVC: (polyvinyl chloride) a dangerous plastic to both human and environmental health. PVC is filled with many harmful chemicals including mercury, dioxins, and phthalates. When PVC is burned, it can release dioxins which are one of the most carcinogens known, and cause great harm to our immune and reproductive systems. PVC is a #3 bottle, simply look on the bottom to see which bottle you have.

Readily biodegradable: a material can be defined as ‘readily biodegradable’ if there is evidence from tests that it will be broken down by living organisms and thus removed from the environment. As defined by OECD, readily biodegradable substances degrade > 60-70% within a 10 day window over 28 days. Because of the stringent nature of these tests, substances which are not ‘readily biodegradable’ may be biodegradable in practice.

Solvent: is a material, usually a liquid, which is capable of dissolving another chemical. For example, water is a solvent because it can dissolve many materials. However, water doesn’t dissolve everything, which is why manufacturers also need to include other solvents in their formulas. Conventional solvents include petroleum-distillates, kerosene, and alcohols.  There exist concerns over many of these solvents regarding human health effects and aquatic toxicity. Check the MSDS sheet to see what’s in your product.

Surfactant: any substance that when dissolved in an aqueous solution reduces its surface tension between it and another liquid.

VOC: is an organic compound which evaporates readily into the atmosphere. VOCs contribute significantly to lower-level ozone pollution and health concerns. Long-term exposure can lead to serious health problems such as liver and kidney damage while short-term risks include headaches, eye irritation, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Typically VOCs can be found in tire shines, dashboard cleaners, carpet cleaners, quick detailers, and more.

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