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

MACT – Maximum Achievable Control Standards – standard for emissions control under the CAA. A number of industries will face new MACT regulations in 2000 through 2005. For example, the consolidated Coatings and Composite MACT will likely significantly impact the use of styrene.

Matrix – material in which the reinforcing fiber is embedded in a fiber reinforced composite

MDI – Methylene diphenyl -diisocyanate - petroleum based adhesive

methyl soyate – soy methyl ester, reaction of soy oil with methanol and a caustic produces methyl soyate and glycerine (see biodiesel)

MSHA – Mine Safety and Health Administration – sets safety guidelines for mining instead of OSHA.

NAAQS – National Ambient Air Quality Standards – federal guidelines that states must meet.

Nox – Nitrous oxides - emissions from automobiles and other combustion sources combine with VOCs to make smog.

NPDES – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems. Under the Clean Water Act, permits under this program are required for discharge of effluents, including chemical effluents into a waterbody.

NRRI – National Resources Research Institute - University of Minnesota

NSR – New source review. Any new source of 40 tpy of VOC or NOx emissions must be reviewed and approved by an authorized state agency subject to EPA review before operation may begin.

ODC or ODS – Ozone Depleting Compound or Ozone Depleting Substance

oleic acid 18:1 – mono-unsaturated fat containing 1 double bond and 18 carbons.

oleo chemicals – vegetable-derived chemical feedstocks

OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration

oxidative stability – resistance to degradation of a product as a result of atmospheric oxidation, as in the case of soy-based crankcase lubricants which break down at elevated temperatures in the presence of air.

ozonolysis – the use of ozone (an aggressive oxidizer) to modify a soy oil molecule to obtain desired properties such as greater reactivity (polyols) or increased oxidative stability (lubricants).

palmitic acid 16:0 – saturated fat (no double bonds) and 16 carbons

PE – Polyethylene (plastic)

PEL – Permissible Exposure Level. The amount of a toxic substance, such as a HAP, which a worker can be exposed to under OSHA or MSHA guidelines. This may be a maximum concentration (ppm) at any time or over a work period such as an 8 hour shift.

PMDI – Polymeric Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate - component of urethane foam

PMN – Preliminary Manufacturing Notice – required by EPA before a new chemical produce may move in commerce

polyols – Co-reactants with isocyanates in urethane formulations polyol

PRF – phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde resin – petroleum based adhesive

protein hydrolyzates – product of the hydrolysis of soy protein

pultrusion – System for forming fiber-reinforced structural shapes in which fibers in continuous strands are drawn through a die while being coated with a suitable binder to form a directionally-reinforced matrix.

PVAc – Polyvinyl acetate - adhesives and coatings

PVC – Polyvinyl chloride (plastic)

PVOH – Polyvinyl alcohol - colloids used to stabilize adhesives, etc.