Technical Terms Acronyms
Acid Rain A complex chemical and atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when emissions of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and other substances are transformed by chemical processes in the atmosphere, often far from the original sources, and then deposited on earth in either wet or dry form. The wet forms, popularly called "acid rain," can fall to earth as rain, snow, or fog. The dry forms are acidic gases or particulates.
At-Will Employment A type of employment relationship in which there is no contractual agreement and either party may end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all, without incurring a penalty.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete fossil fuel combustion.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) A federal agency whose mission is to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.
CEO Chief Executive Officer.
Certificate of Occupancy (CO) A permit issued by a municipality permitting legal occupancy.
Cooperative or Co-op Refers to a form of real estate ownership in which the property is owned by shareholders. Each shareholder owns proprietary rights to a specific unit or dwelling while also owning an interest in the entire property.
Ecology The relationship of living things to one another and their environment, or the study of such relationships.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) A federal agency charged with the protection of human health and the environment.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") The federal administrative agency that enforces laws prohibiting discrimination in employment.
Ethanol An alternative automotive fuel derived from grain and corn; usually blended with gasoline to form gasohol.
FCC (Federal Communications Commission) An independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress, which regulates all types of communications, including radio, TV, satellite, and cable.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) An Agency of the US government tasked with disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery planning.
FHA (Federal Housing Administration) An agency of the federal government which insures private loans that are issued for new and existing housing, and loans that are approved for home repairs.
Gasahol Mixture of gasoline and ethanol derived from fermented agricultural products containing at least nine percent ethanol. Gasohol emissions contain less carbon monoxide than those from gasoline.
Global Warming An increase in the near surface temperature of the Earth. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases.
Methane A colorless, nonpoisonous, flammable gas created by anaerobic decomposition of organic compounds. A major component of natural gas used in the home.
Minimum Wage The lowest hourly wage that an employee may be paid as mandated by federal law and/or state law.
Multiple Listing Service (MLS) A real estate network which provides detailed listing information to its members. Homes placed with real estate brokers are listed on MLS.
NIH (National Institutes of Health) As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research.
Notary Public A person authorized by the state to witness documents. Normally the Notary Public uses an official imprinting seal.
OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) The federal agency charged with creating and enforcing workplace health and safety standards.
Power of Attorney A legal instrument granting decision making authorization by one party to another. It may be limited in scope, as for a particular document signing, or general, as for the handling of the affairs of an elderly person.
Radon A colorless naturally occurring, radioactive, inert gas formed by radioactive decay of radium atoms in soil or rocks.
USDA United States Department of Agriculture.
W-2 Form A tax form prepared by an employer and given to an employee to be filed with his/her 1040 form, listing wages earned during that year, federal and state taxes withheld, and Social Security tax information.
Workers Compensation A system of compensation for work-related injuries or death, paid for by employer compensation insurance contributions.
