Your Handy Dandy Guide to Environmental Acronyms

Us science nerds are very fond of acronyms. It saves time when writing intricate science documents but it creates a problem for laymen who want to brush up on the latest environmental issues. I have created a handy little list to help you navigate a typical environmental science document. (props to me because I didn't have to look any of these up!) If you have any you would like to add please feel free to share them!



BPA= Bisphenol A
PAH= Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
PCB= Polychlorinate Biphenyls
CEQ= Council on Environmental Quality
EPA= Environmental Protection Agency
NEPA= National Environmental Policy Act
EIS= Environmental Impact Statement
CERCLA= Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)
RCRA= Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
CAA= Clean Air Act
SDWA= Safe Drinking Water Act
FIFRA= Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
NAAQS= National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NRDC= Natural Resources Defense Council
EDF= Environmental Defense Fund
EJ= Environmental Justice
MCL= Maximum Contaminant Levels
DBP= Disinfectant By-products
CDC= Centers for Disease Control
FDA= Food and Drug Administration
WHO= World Health Organization
PM10/PM2.5= Particulate Matter 10(micrometers)/ Particulate Matter 2.5(micrometers)
Nox= Nitrous Oxides
Sox= Sulfur Oxides
GHG= Greenhouse Gases
VOC= Volatile Organic Compounds
RfD= Reference Dose
GMO= genetically modified organism
CO= Carbon monoxide