### process | decay | decomposition:

Thermal decomposition
* can produce carbon monoxide and other hazardous gases
  - toxic gases
* gives off oxygen, which increases fire hazard.
* is dependent on time and temperature
  - likely to take the form of vapors at the surface
* leaves pure nickel metal.
* produces acrid smoke and fumes
  - carbon monoxide and other toxic vapors
  - toxic fumes
* releases flammable oxygen and heat
  - toxic bromine fumes
  - vapor and toxic gases
  - hydrogen
* releases oxygen and heat
  - toxic chlorine gas
* yields toxic products.

Dental decay
* disease which results in dissolution and destruction of teeth.
* is disease, a very preventable disease much like polio or measles
  - located in mouths
* is one of North Carolina's most common childhood diseases
  - the most common chronic infectious diseases among U.S. children
  - the prime problem in children starting in the first few years of life
  - usually without symptoms until it has destroyed a large amount of tooth structure

### process | decay:

Mildew
* are common in wet weather.
* can affect the plant
  - be black or white in color
* does best when the temperature is cool and relative humidity is high.
* grows best in a moist, dark, warm environment.
* grows in areas of high humidity and the damage is unreversible
  - cool, moist, stagnant air
  - more quickly on exterior alkyd flat paint than on semi-gloss or gloss enamels
  - when it is warm, moist and dark
* indicates moisture problems whether wood, aluminum, vinyl, etc.
* is decay
  - funguses
  - located in basements
  - spoilage
* likes warm days, cool nights, and lots of humidity or rainfall.
* manifests itself as patches of black spots.
* occurs most often on old foliage of declining plants.
* often follows dirt, and the combination is difficult to wash off a building.
* requires moisture, darkness and warmth to grow.
* spreads through books like the plague and presents a serious health risk to some people.
* tends to build up following extended use of captan sprays.

Moral decay
* is pervasive, touching every level of society.
* leads to political decay.

Particle decay
* All particle decays are due to interactions.
* reveal arrow of time.

Rancidity
* Rancidities are decay.
* can be of two types, hydrolytic and oxidative.
* changes the flavor and smell of the fish oil and other EFAs.
* is caused by oxidation of fats during processing and storage of foods
* is one of the biggest concerns for small-scale producers of fried snacks in Mexico
  - main concerns of fried snacks manufacturers
  - the natural oxidative chemical degradation of oils

Rot
* Managing alfalfa for maximum vigor is important in minimizing damage from root and crown rots.
* are watery and slimy in nature.
* develop on pods formed close to the ground
  - rapidly under warm, moist conditions
* is decay
* occur when tissue breaks down.
* penetrates beyond the skin into the fruit.
* works upward from the soil line until plant wilts and dies.

### process | decay | rot:

Fruit rot
* are irregular in shape and olive green or light green with water soaked borders.
* can occur on both ripe and unripe fruit.
* causes fruits to turn brown either soft or hard depending on the crop affected.
* destroy a large percentage of the fruit each year in Texas.
* fungus that sets up housekeeping when canes are too crowded.
* is the most common damage from brown rot.
* starts with a small, round brown spot, which expands to eventually rot the entire fruit.

White rot
* cause affected wood to become pale, soft and punky.
* occur also in wood products such as utility poles.