The glossary below contains common terminology used with USB New Uses. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions or additions to this glossary.

A-E | F-L | M-P | R-Z

FACE – Fatty acid and carbohydrate ester - biopolymers

FAR – Federal Acquisition Regulations

FDA – Food and Drug Administration

FDCA – Food Drug and Cosmetics Act

FFA – Free fatty acid – acid chain that has broken away from a triglyceride

flash point – temperature at which the vapour above a volatile liquid forms a combustible mixture with air.

FSS – Federal Supply Schedule. See GSA

FTC – Federal Trade Commission. Regulates environmental claims

GAO – General Accounting Office

glass transition temperature – point at which a polymer changes from relatively rigid to a soft and pliable state

GRAS – Generally Regarded As Safe – FDA designation for substances that are used in or may come in contact with Food.

GSA – General Services Administration – operates the Federal Supply Schedule- including "Buy Green" portion and "Planet GSA." Cooperating with EPA on Cleaning Products Pilot Program (CPPP) to introduce Environmentally Preferred cleaning products for Government Purchase. Listing in this program would be beneficial for methyl soyate based cleaners and degreasers. Other pilot programs are anticipated.

HAP – Hazardous air pollutant – Standards for HAP emissions into the atmosphere are set by EPA and are called MACTs. There are 118 identified HAPs, which are defined in Section 112 of the CAA. OSHA sets workplace exposure limits for these called PELs.

HAZMAT – Short for hazardous materials or more often short for a set of regulations promulgated by DOT for regulation of the transport of hazardous materials.

HMTA – Hazardous Materials Transportation Act –

HOSO – High oleic soybean oil. Desirable for food and lubricants.

HUD – Housing and Urban Development – several programs for lead paint abatement.

hydrolytic stability – shelf life of product in the container

ICBO – International Conference of Building Officials - standards organization

ILMA – Independent Lubricant Manufacturer's Association

isocyanate-based – family of adhesive products based on MDI (see below)

LDPE – low-density polyethylene (plastic)

life-cycle analysis – used to assess the environmental performance of a product from cradle to grave.

linoleic acid 18:2 – polyunsaturated fat containing 2 double bonds and 18 carbons.

linolenic acid 18:3 – polyunsaturated fat containing 3 double bonds and 18 carbons.

LQG & SQG – Large Quantity Generators and Small Quantity Generators – dependent upon the attainment area status. LQG status may be as small as 10 tpy or begin as high as 100tpy. LQGs are subject to more stringent regulations and reporting than SQGs.