Abrasive – Substance used to wear away a surface by friction.

Acrylic Resins – Synthetic resin that has excellent color retention and clarity and that is used in both lacquer and enamel.

Area Source – Toxic air pollution sources that emit less than 10 tons annually of a single hazardous air pollutant or less than 25 tons or more annually of a combination of hazardous air pollutants.

Atomize – When pressure in the gun nozzle breaks up the paint and solvents into fine particles.

Ballast – A transformer found in fluorescent light fixtures. Older ones may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Baking – Application of heat to cure and dry a coating. In automotive refinishing, baking is used to speed up the drying of air-drying lacquers and enamel.

Chlorinated Solvent – A liquid compound or mixture of compounds capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances and which contain chlorine as one constituent. Examples include 1,1,1-trichloroethane and methylene chloride.

Contaminants – Any object, such as polish, wax, tree sap, tar, and oil, that would damage the paint film or spoil the adhesion of a new paint film.

Curing – Term used to explain the hardening process of paint or resins.

Fan pattern – Shape of the paint pattern as it strikes the part. The key is to adjust the fan pattern to maximize the spray application and minimize overspray.

Flash Point – Minimum liquid temperature at which a spark or flame causes an instantaneous flash/fire in the vapor space above the liquid.

Fluorescent lamps– Efficient, preferred lighting fixtures for shop and office settings that are manufactured in a variety of configurations (note- all contain small amounts of mercury).

Halogenated Solvent – Solvents containing any of a group of five chemically-related nonmetallic elements (chlorine, bromine, fluorine, astatine, and iodine).

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) – Chemicals that cause adverse health effects including cancer, birth defects, nervous system damage, and possibly death. HAPs are listed in the Federal Clean Air Act.

Hazardous Material – A material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics, may pose a threat to human health and the environment.

Hazardous Waste – A waste or combination of wastes that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics, may pose a threat to human health and the environment.

Heavy Metals – Hazardous elements, including mercury and lead, which may be found in the waste stream as part of discarded items such as batteries and lighting.

High-Volume, Low-Pressure (HVLP) – Type of spraying system that uses a high volume of low-pressure air to atomize and apply material to a surface. Reduces over spray of product into the atmosphere.

Isocyanate – Additive that is part of many paint and plastic hardeners. Has been found to be injurious to the lungs.

Manifest – The shipping document, originated and signed by the generator, that is used to identify the hazardous waste, its quantity, origin, and destination.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Document produced by the manufacturer that provides a variety of information about a product, such as its flash point, ingredients, and precautions for safe handling and use.

Mil – (0.001 inch), the measure of the paint film buildup on the surface being coated.

Nonchlorinated Solvent – A liquid compound or mixture of compounds capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances which does not contain chlorine as one of its constituents. Examples include terpenes, toluene, and acetone.

Overspray – Sprayed paint that misses the part being painted and contributes to masking, floor, and paint arrestor (filter) paint waste buildup.

Spray Booth – Enclosure used to paint a vehicle that has air moving through it.

Spray Gun – Device that applies paint to atomize and control the spray pattern as the paint leaves the fluid needle and cap. Gun operation can be fed by compressed air or hydraulic pressure.

Transfer Efficiency (TE) – A measure of how much paint actually coats a surface compared to how much is applied.

Universal Wastes – Specific hazardous wastes that are destined for recycling.

Urban Air Toxics Strategy – The section of the Clean Air Act that requires EPA to identify a list of at least 30 air toxics that pose the greatest potential health threat in urban areas, identify the area source categories responsible for at least 90% of these emissions and subject the area sources to standards defined under the CAA (section 112(d)).

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – Organic compounds that if released into the atmosphere can form ground level ozone in the presence of heat and sunlight. VOCs include benzene, toluene, and xylene.