Acid Deposition
Sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, emitted by burning fossil fuels, that enter the atmosphere-where they combine with oxygen and water to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid and return to Earth’s surface.
Acid Precipitation
Conversion of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides to acids that return to Earth as rain, snow, or fog.
Air Pollution
Concentration of trace substances, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and solid particulates, at a greater level than occurs in average air.
Apparel
An article of clothing.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
The amount of oxygen required by aquatic bacteria to decompose a given load of organic waste, measure of water pollution.
Break-of-Bulk Point
A location where transfer is possible from one mode of transportation to another.
Bulk-Gaining Industry
An industry in which the final product weighs more or comprises a greater volume than the inputs.
Bulk-Reducing Industry
An industry in which the final product weighs less or comprises a lower volume than the inputs.
Chlorofluorocarbon
A gas used as a solvent, a propellant in aerosols, a refrigerant, and in plastic foams and fire extinguishers.
Cottage Industry
Manufacturing based in homes rather than in factories, commonly found prior to the Industrial Revolution.
Ferrous
Metals, including iron, that are utilized in the production of iron and steel.
Fordist Production
A form of mass production in which each workers is assigned one specific task to perform repeatedly.
Greenhouse Effect
The anticipated increase in Earth’s temperature caused by carbon dioxide trapping some of the radiation emitted by the surface.
Industrial Revolution
A series of improvements in industrial technology that transformed the process of manufacturing goods.
Just-in-Time Delivery
Shipment of parts and materials to arrive at a factor moments before they are needed.
Just-in-Time Delivery
Shipment of parts and materials to arrive at a factor moments before they are needed.
Labor Intensive Industry
An industry for which labor costs comprise a high percentage of total expenses.
Maquiladora
A factory built by a US company in Mexico near the US border to take advantage of the much lower labor costs in Mexico.
New International Division of Labor
Transfer of some types of jobs, especially those requiring low-paid, less-skilled workers, from more developed to less developed countries.
Nonferrous
Metal utilized to make products other than iron and steel.
Nonpoint-Source Pollution
A source of pollution that is not confined to a single point.
Outsourcing
A decision by a corporation to turn over much of the responsibility for production to independent suppliers.
Ozone
A gas that absorbs ultraviolet solar radiation, found in the stratosphere.
Photochemical Smog
An atmospheric condition formed through a combination of weather conditions and pollution, especially from motor vehicle emissions.
