Glossary of terms used on this site

A US Department of Labor agency that sets the standards for safe and healthy work environments. It also enforces these statutes and regulations in the US and provides education, training and assistance to companies and organizations.

Generally, a substance that includes carbohydrates.

A substance with the ability to oxidize other substances. Common oxidizing agents include oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and the halogens.

A highly reactive nonmetal, oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as well as with other compunds. Oxygen accounts for approximately 20.9% of the volume of the atmosphere. While essential to aerobic (oxygen-depending) life forms, a high concentration of oxygen constitutes a severe fire and explosion hazard of even normally non-burning materials. This is the reason that instruments that contain an oxygen sensor warn for lower concentrations (as these present a choking hazard) and higher concentrations (as these present a fire hazard). Apart from dedicated sensors, oxygen is detectable with a vast range of colorimetric gas sampling tubes.