A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Toxipedia: M

mAh

mAh stands for Milliampere Hour, a technical term for how much power a particular battery will hold. An example: digital camera batteries with higher mAh values theoretically last longer without requiring a recharge, allowing you to take more photographs before you have to replace your batteries.

mercury

metaldehyde

methylene chloride

mG

microbe

micron

A unit of measurement used to describe the size (usually diameter) of air pollution and dust particles. One micron is 40-millionths of an inch or one-millionth of a meter - the approximate size of a single bacterium.

microorganisms

microwaves

Researchers disagree about the safety or danger of microwave ovens. All ovens, even ones that are working perfectly, emit some microwaves. FDA safety standards allow microwave emissions of up to 1 milliwatt/ sq. cm. for a new oven, and up to 5 milliwatts/ sq. cm. after the oven has been used. Bell Telephone Laboratories, after conducting animal studies, recommended limiting expose to 1 milliwatt per day. Russian safety regulations prohibit exposure above 1 milliwatt for more than one minute, and require eye protections at even that level. People exposed to microwaves have complained of headaches, loss of sleep, low heart rates, and greater frequency of viral infections. There are also concerns about possible links between microwaves and both birth defects and cancer.

mildew

mold

mold spore

morpholine

Morpholine is found in furniture polish, car wax, and all-purpose cleaners. It is irritating to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes, and may cause kidney and liver damage. It reacts with nitrates to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.