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Category: EnviroGlossary

Volatile

Any substance that evaporates readily. — Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

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Visibility

A measure of how far and how well an observer can see through the atmosphere. — Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

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Ventilation

The potential of the atmosphere to disperse airborne pollutants, such as smoke from a prescribed fire. It is based on both the transport winds and

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Vector

Any agent (person, animal or microorganism) that carries and transmits an infectious pathogen into another living organism. — Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

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Vapor Intrusion

Vapor-phase migration of volatile organic compounds or volatile inorganic compounds into occupied buildings from underlying contaminated groundwater or soil. — Source: Arizona Department of Environmental

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Vapor

The gas given off by substances that are solids or liquids at ordinary atmospheric pressure and temperatures. — Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

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Vadose Zone

The zone between land surface and the water table within which the moisture content is less than saturation (except in the capillary fringe) and pressure

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Used Oil

Spent motor oil from passenger cars and trucks collected at specified locations for recycling. — Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

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Universal Waste

Any of the following hazardous wastes (batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment and lamps) that are managed under the universal waste requirements of 40 CFR part 273.

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UNESCO

natural or man-made site that has outstanding universal value and meets at least one of 10 conditions decided by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific

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Underground Storage Tank (UST)

A tank located at least partially underground and designed to hold gasoline or other petroleum products or chemicals. — Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

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Turbidity

A cloudy condition in water due to suspended silt or organic matter. The degree of turbidity is measured with a turbidometer. — Source: Arizona Department

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Trichloroethylene (TCE)

A stable, low boiling-point colorless liquid that is toxic if inhaled. Used as a solvent or metal degreasing agent and in other industrial applications. —

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Treated Wastewater

Wastewater that has been subjected to one or more physical, chemical, and biological processes to reduce its potential of being health hazard. — Source: Arizona

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Transport Winds

A measure of the average rate of the horizontal movement of air within the mixing layer. — Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

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Transport (air pollution)

The horizontal or vertical displacement of a pollutant from its emission source that can be carried through the atmosphere over some distance. — Source: Arizona

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Transfer Facilities

Any transportation-related facility such as loading docks, parking areas, storage areas, or other similar areas where shipments of hazardous waste are temporarily held during the

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Toxin

A poisonous substance that can either be natural (produced by plants, animals or bacteria) or manufactured. — Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

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