hydrocarbon /-kär″bən/ [Gk, hydor + L, carbo, charcoal] , any of a large group of organic compounds whose molecules are composed of hydrogen and carbon, many of which are derived from petroleum. Brief incidental exposures to low concentrations of solvent vapors that contain carbon, such as gasoline, lighter fluids, aerosol sprays, and spot removers, may be relatively harmless, but exposures to concentrations of hydrocarbon vapors often found in the home and in manufacturing environments may be dangerous.
