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Toxipedia: F
fair trade
Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods. Fair trade's strategic intent is to work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move towards economic self-sufficiency and stability. It also aims to allow them to become greater stakeholders in their own organizations, as well as play a wider role in international trade.
fertilizer
Any of a large number of natural and synthetic materials, including manure and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compounds, spread on or worked into soil to increase its capacity to support plant growth.
fiberglass
A material consisting of extremely fine glass fibers, used in making various products, such as yarns, fabrics, insulators, and structural objects or parts. Also called spun glass.
flame-retardants
Treatments applied to fabric and other materials to diminish their flammability. Chemical flame retardants such as Tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate, also known as TCPP are used on polyurethane foams, children's pajamas and mattresses.A 1998 study conducted by the World health Organization found that TCPP increased the occurrence of liver, kidney, testicular and brain carcinomas in rats, is not readily biodegraded in sewage and is rapidly metabolized by fish.Federal law mandates that chemical flame retardants must be applied to all synthetic and cotton mattresses.
fluoride
An acid salt, often used in dental products and added to drinking water to prevent tooth decay.
Fluorocarbons
Colorless nonflammable gases or liquids produced for refrigeration and other uses. Some fluorocarbons, like CFCs, damage the Earth's protective ozone layer, and are being phased out.
foam core
a strong, stiff, resilient, and lightweight board of polystyrene laminated with paper on both of its sides used as backing for art prints before framing. Also referred to as "foam board".
formaldehyde
A colorless, flammable reactive gas, formaldehyde belongs to a large family of chemicals called volatile organic compounds. Most people can smell its characteristic odor at high concentrations. It is widely used in personal care products such as nail hardeners and soap as a disinfectant, germicide, and preservative. Individuals with sensitive skin may be irritated by exposure to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde ingestion can cause severe symptoms including coma, internal bleeding, and death.The most common sources of exposure to formaldehyde are building materials, insulation, and home furnishings. Materials treated with the chemical emit formaldehyde gas.
free chlorine
Hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite. This is the active chlorine that kills bacteria and algae and keeps your pool clear and clean.
FSC Certified
For a product to be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified means that it adheres to the rules and regulations that have been determined by the Forest Stewardship Council.
The Forest Stewardship Council was created to change the dialogue about and the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide. FSC sets forth principles, criteria, and standards that span economic, social, and environmental concerns. The FSC standards represent the world?s strongest system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes, and these standards have now been applied in over 57 countries around the world.
In 1995, FSC-US, located in Washington, D.C., was established as the national ?chapter? of FSC. It?s purpose is to coordinate the development of forest management standards throughout the different biogeographic regions of the U.S., to provide public information about certification and FSC, and to work with certification organizations to promote FSC certification in the U.S.FSC-US has a national presence through the work of its Board of Directors, members, staff, and regional standards coordinators.
full-spectrum light
Light that produces all colors of visible light, and the ultra-violet wavelengths located closest to the visual violet portions of the spectrum, is called full-spectrum light. This light reproduces the look of sunlight.
fungicide
A class of pesticides used to kill fungi, primarily those which cause diseases of plants.
fungus
Any member of a kingdom of organisms (Fungi) that lack chlorophyll, leaves, true stems, and roots, reproduce by spores, and live as saprotrophs or parasites. The group includes moulds, mildews, rusts, yeasts, and mushrooms
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