Glossary
The physiological process by which toxicants pass body membranes and enter the bloodstream or other body components from the site of exposure.
Air changes per hour. One ACH means a volume of outdoor air equal to the volume of the space being ventilated has entered that space in one hour.
A condition involving relatively brief periods of time. For CO exposure, acute is defined as an exposure of up to 10-15 hrs or less, involving one major exposure.
A biological response to exposure to multiple chemicals which is equal to the sum of the effects of the individual agents.
An IAQ control strategy to remove various airborne particles and/newor gases before the air enters the occupied space. The three types of air cleaning most commonly used are particulate filtration, electrostatic precipitation, and gas absorption.
Used in two ways. First, the number of times that the outdoor air replaces the volume of air in a building per unit time, typically expressed in air changes per hour; second, the number of times that the ventilation system replaces the air within a room or area within the building.
Inability to initiate changes in activity and to perform ordinary volitional movements rapidly and easily. It is the most disabling feature of Parkinson's disease.
A substance capable of causing an allergic reaction because of an individual's sensitivity to that substance.
(plural = alveoli) A small microscopic sac that is the functional unit of the lung, the location at the far end of the respiratory tract where gas exchange occurs.
A unicellular organism which may either obtain energy by means of photosynthesis or by ingesting other organic material. The organism has no wall or coat outside its cell membrane; it moves and feeds by means of pseudopodia.
Coordinates autonomic and endocrine responses in conjunction with emotional states; part of the limbic system.
A disease marked by brief, sudden attacks of chest pain precipitated by a deficient supply of oxygen to the heart muscles (also known as angina of the chest or angina pectoris).
A biological response to exposure to a single chemical interfering with the action of another or to multiple chemicals interfering with each other's actions.
Inability to perform complex acts requiring sequences of muscle contractions or a planned strategy.
The ability of a filter to remove injected standard dust from the test air. It is calculated as a % relationship on a weight basis.
Substances that starve the cells of an individual from the life-giving oxygen needed to sustain metabolism.
Quick arrhythmic movements that occur due to brief interruptions in background tonic muscular contractions.
Inability to sustain muscles of the fingers, toes, tongue or any other group of muscles in one position; maintained posture is interrupted by continuous slow, purposeless movements.
A genetically controlled predisposition to production of specific antibodies. Approximately 10% of the population suffer from this problem. Specific diseases include allergic rhinitis (hayfever), asthma, and atopic dermatitis.
Microorganisms that have no true nucleus, a single chromosome, and no mitochondria, capable of causing adverse health effects.
A process whereby an unoccupied building is maintained at elevated temperatures to enhance the emission of VOCs prior to the occupation of the building, in the theory that the VOCs will be ventilated out of the building. This practice is controversial and not without risk of incurring other types of problems.
Due to bilateral damage to the parietal-occipital regions; causes problems with visually guided motor movements.
Made up of the caudate nucleus and putamen (known together as the corpus striatum) and the globus pallidus. Roles in regulating movement and cognition. Damage to it causes seizure disorders, multiple-sclerosis-type disorders, decrement in intellectual capacity, judgment, ability to concentrate, memory, speech capability.
Tiny airborne particles that are alive, were once alive, or are a part of something that is or once was alive.
Agents derived from or that are living organisms (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mammal and bird antigens) that can be inhaled and can cause many types of health effects including allergic reactions, respiratory disorders, hypersensitivity diseases, and infectious diseases. Also referred to as microbiologicals or microbials.
The two respiratory tubes branching into the two lungs at the lower end of the trachea. They branch into progressively smaller passageways, the bronchioles, and finally reach the alveoli, the location where gas exchange occurs.
Elements of the building, including all external building materials, windows, and walls, that enclose the internal space.
A discrete, identifiable disease or illness that can be traced to a specific pollutant or source within a building. (e.g., Legionnaires' disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis). Contrast with sick building.
Constant Air Volume - Refers to a type of HVAC system where air volume is constant and airstream is either heated or cooled so as to maintain a constant temperature.
Space below the flooring and above the suspended ceiling that accommodates the mechanical and electrical equipment and is used as part of the air distribution system. The space is kept under negative pressure.
A chemical which acts as a poison by temperature to meet heating and cooling needs.
Occupies most of the posterior cranial fossa; damage produces ataxia, slurring of speech.
Expansive mass of brain tissue covering the older parts of the brain including cerebral hemispheres and formed of sulci, consisting of 4 parts (frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal); 6th division of the C.N.S.; involved in vision, hearing, learning, memory, association, etc.
Made up of the basal ganglia, hippocampus and amygdala; overlaid by cerebral cortex; affects emotion, learning.
Health problems characterized by effects such as dizziness, eye and throat irritation, chest tightness, and nasal congestion that appear whenever individuals are exposed to certain chemicals. People may react to even trace amounts of chemicals to which they have become sensitized.
Characterized by rhythmic waxing and waning of the depth of ventilation, with a regular pattern of apnea, hyperventilation, etc.
Widespread arrhythmic movements of a forcible, rapid, jerky, restless type; movements are irregular and variable, but continuous. They may be simple or quite elaborate, and affect any part of body. Can be caused by damage to caudate nucleus.
A condition involving relatively long periods of time. For CO exposure, chronic is defined as an exposure of 10-15 hrs or more, and may involve one or cycles of exposure.
Those occurring after repeated long-term exposure and are seen months or years after initiation of exposure.
Short, specialized extensions of cells that appear hair-like, often arranged in rows, and present in large numbers. In the human respiratory system, cilia act to propel mucous slowly upwards, removing captured foreign particles.
Air moved through the furnace heat exchanger and then through the house to provide heating or cooling. This may not have any outside air.
Physical and/newor chemical removal of scale, corrosion, biofilm, sludge, sediment and extraneous matter.
Component of HVAC system that acts as a heat exchanger, either adding heat or taking heat away from the air stream.
A colony arising from a viable unit of one bacterium or more in a clump. For statistical significance, only those plates with 30 to 300 cfu's are selected for counting.
Additional air brought into the house to allow furnaces, boilers, clothes dryers, ranges and domestic hot water heaters to burn. If the appliance has "sealed" combustion this air will not affect the air within the house.
Start-up of a building that includes testing and adjusting HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other systems to assure proper functioning and adherence to design criteria. Commissioning also includes the instruction of building representatives in the use of the building.
Air that has been heated, cooled, humidified, or dehumidified to maintain an interior space within the comfort zone (Sometimes referred to as tempered air).
The ability of water to conduct electricity. Conductivity measurement is used for estimating the amount of total dissolved solids in water.
Refers to a type of HVAC system where air volume is constant and airstream is either heated or cooled so as to maintain a constant temperature.
Air handling systems that are designed to provide constant airflow and vary air.
Movement of molecules (gases) from a region of higher air pressure to a region of lower air pressure. Airflow can also be induced by a temperature gradient (e.g., stack effect).
Include sulfur dioxide, particulates, lead, ozone, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, all designated by the EPA and which have national standards under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
One or more symptoms which occur at regular intervals (e.g., every morning).
Controls that vary airflow through an air outlet, inlet, or duct. A damper position may be immovable, manually adjustable, or part of an automated control system.
A length of pipe ending at a fitting through which water flows only when the fitting is opened.
A cleansing agent capable of penetrating biological films, sludge and sediment and having the ability to emulsify oil and hold materials in suspension. Water treatment specialist have developed detergent formulations which are capable of thoroughly cleaning components which are difficult to access and inspect, such as cooling tower fill.
A chemical that acts as a poison by means of causing adverse effects on the developing organism, including death, structural abnormality, altered growth, and functional deficiency.
Additional air beyond that which is needed to provide combustion. This may either be within the combustion chamber as excess air or as induced flow in the exhaust stack.
A glass or plastic slide coated with culture media on which microorganisms can be grown and estimated. Legionella does not grow on these media.
One of three groups of antimicrobials registered by EPA for public health uses. EPA considers an antimicrobial to be a disinfectant when it destroys or irreversibly inactivates infectious or other undesirable organisms, but not necessarily their spores. EPA registers three types of disinfectant products based upon submitted efficacy data: limited, general or broad spectrum, and hospital disinfectant.
The effect of a substance on a body increases as the dose increases; theoretically, the body may respond differently at different dose levels of a given substance.
A kit for measuring free, combined and total chlroine residuals using the reagent DPD (N, N-diethyl-p-phenylene diamine). Many test kits available from swimming pool suppliers measure only total chlorine not free chlorine and consequently should not be used. Free chlorine residuals in excess of 10 mg/newL 10 ppm) are capable of bleaching the indicator colour, rendering the test invalid. Samples of water may have to be diluted with distilled water, or other water which does not interfere with the test, to bring the sample within the range of the kit. Allowance must be made for the sample dilution factor when determining the free chlorine residual in the original sample.
A measure (expressed in percent) of the ability of a filter to remove atmospheric dust from air.
Abnormally increased muscular tone that causes fixed abnormal postures; sometimes shifting postures result from irregular, forceful twisting movements that affect the trunk and extremities.
Conditions other than indoor air contaminants that cause stress, comfort, and/newor health problems (e.g., humidity extremes, drafts, lack of air circulation, noise, and overcrowding).
Acronym for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal agency responsible for the regulation of pesticides, toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes, and toxic pollutants in water and air.
Applied science that investigates the impact of people's physical environment on their health and comfort (e.g., determining the proper chair height for computer operators).
Acronym for Environmental Tobacco Smoke. ETS is made up of the smoke emanating from the burning end of a cigarette and smoke that is inhaled by the smoker, and consists of over 4,700 compounds, including both gases and particles.
Air removed form the house through fans. Typical examples are bathroom exhaust, and kitchen hoods.
Mechanical removal of air from a portion of a building (e.g., piece of equipment, room, or general area).
Analysis of a set of exposure profiles which address for each pollutant, the size of the exposed population, and the routes, duration, frequencies, and intensities of exposure.
May different phenomena which are due to primary deficits (negative symptom) or new de-inhibited actions that have appeared due to lesions associated with the basal ganglia.
Test or investigation results that indicate a particular condition does not exist when it actually does.
The measurement of hypochlorous acid (an efficient disinfectant) and hypochlorite ion ( a poor disinfectant) in water. The ratio of these two materials in water is pH dependent. The pH range specified (7.0 to 7.6) ensures that sufficient hypochlorous acid is present to facilitate effective disinfection.
Refers to solid particles generated by condensation of vapors or gases, generally after volatilization from combusted melted substances. Popular usage sometimes loosely includes any type of contaminant.
Devices used to reduce levels of airborne gaseous compounds by passing the air through materials to extract the gases. The performance of solid sorbents is dependent on the airflow rate, concentration of the pollutants, presence of other gases or vapors, and other factors.
Gaseous pollutants include combustion gasses and organic chemicals which are not associated with particles. Hundreds of different gaseous pollutants have been detected in indoor air. Sources of combustion gasses (such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) include combustion appliances, cigarette smoking, and the infiltration of vehicle exhaust gasses from attached garages or the outdoors.
Gaseous organic compounds may enter the air from sources such as cigarette smoking, building materials and furnishings, and the use of products such as paints, adhesives, dyes, solvents, caulks, cleaners, deodorizers, personal hygiene products, waxes, hobby and craft materials, and pesticides. In addition, organic compounds may originate outdoors or through the cooking of foods and human, plant, and animal metabolic processes.
Health effects from exposure to gaseous pollutants in the air may vary widely depending on the types and concentrations of the chemicals present, the frequency and duration of exposure, and individual sensitivity. Adverse effects may include irritation of the eyes and/or respiratory tissues; allergic reactions; effects on the respiratory, liver, immune, cardiovascular, reproductive, and/or nervous system; and cancer.
Individual atoms or molecules that spread evenly throughout a volume of air, and cannot be collected by ordinary particulate filters.
Part of the basal ganglia. Damage can result in flexion dystonia, impaired postural reflexes.
Seemingly voluntary movements but which individuals feel compelled to do to relieve tension (eg. sniffing, clearing of throat, pulling on collar).
Material Safety Data Sheets with health and safety Information on Infectious microorganisms. Including Aspergillus and other molds and airborne biologicals.
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Hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by violent flinging motions in the arm contralateral to a lesion in or near the subthalamic nucleus. May be due to damage in basal ganglia.
Neural motor condition affecting one side of the body only. Paraplegia affects both sides.
Part of the limbic system; involved in memory storage; damage produces effects on short- to long-term memory, limbic system.
A respiratory illness that may be caused by exposure to toxins from microorganisms found in wet or moist areas of humidifiers and air conditioners. Also called air conditioner fever or ventilation fever.
A device, actuated by changes in humidity, used for the automatic control of relative humidity.
Heat transferred from a boiler, to conditioned water, to a radiator in the living space (Called hydropic because water [hydro-] is the medium of heat transfer).
Diseases characterized by allergic responses to animal antigens. The hypersensitivity diseases most clearly associated with indoor air are asthma, rhinitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a rare but serious disease that involves progressive lung damage as long as there is exposure to the causative agent.
A group of respiratory diseases that involve inflammation of the lungs. Most forms are thought to be caused by an allergic reaction triggered by repeated exposures to biological contaminants.
Controls pituitary; regulates temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, food and water intake (autonomic functions, multi-glandular control); constitutes less than 1% of brain.
Acronym for Indoor Air Quality. EPA's Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse (1-800-438-4318 or 301-585-9020).
Chemical compounds, such as carbon dioxide, whose presence at certain concentrations may be used to estimate certain building conditions (e.g., airflow, presence of sources).
Substances which inflame living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact, causing pain or swelling.
An illness which is sometimes fatal and whose symptoms mimic pneumonia. It is caused by a bacterium (Legionnella pneumophila) and primarily attacks immunocompromised individuals.
A large phagocytic cell found in the lung tissues that helps defend the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign intruders, generally by engulfing them.
Air which enters the house, either intended or not, to replace the air removed through exhaust and dilution.
Air brought into a building from the outdoors through the ventilation system, which has not been previously circulated through the system.
Operation of an IAQ program-including personnel and budgeting decisions, monitoring and feedback, legislative initiatives, internal information flows, and enforcement of State requirements.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. A term used by some people to refer to a condition in which a person is considered to be sensitive to a number of chemicals at very low concentrations. There are a number of views about the existence, potential causes, and possible remedial actions regarding this phenomenon.
Milligrams per liter (parts per million). For practical purposes mg/newL is assumed to be equal to ppm.
Agents derived from or that are living organisms (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mammal and bird antigens) that can be inhaled and can cause many types of health effects including allergic reactions, respiratory disorders, hypersensitivity diseases, and infectious diseases. Also referred to as microbiologicals or microbials.
Mist is a term loosely applied to any dispersion of liquid particles, many of which are large enough to be individually visible without visual aid.
Mucus droplets are secreted by specialized cells in the respiratory system, mucus currents, swept by cilia remove foreign particles from the trachea.
A term used by some people to refer to a condition in which a person is considered to be sensitive to a number of chemicals at very low concentrations. There are a number of views about the existence, potential causes, and possible remedial actions regarding this phenomenon.
Metabolites produced by fungi that have a broad spectrum of toxic effects ranging from mild acute toxicity to potent carcinogenicity.
Very brief, involuntary, random muscular contractions. Myoclus can occur spontaneously at rest, in response to sensory stimuli, or with voluntary movements.
Occurs when outdoor air enters through open windows and doors and through cracks and leaks in the home.
Condition that exists when less air is supplied to a space than is exhausted from the space, so the air pressure within that space is less than that in surrounding areas.
Maximum pollutant concentration levels, usually set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Acronym for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a part of the U.S. Department of Labor responsible for determining whether employers are providing working conditions that are safe for employees.
Particles are very small solid or liquid substances that are light enough to float suspended in air (e.g., mists, dust, mold spores or pollen). They are composed of diverse materials including inorganic and organic compounds and dormant and living organisms. Of primary concern from a health standpoint are: 1) small, invisible respirable-size particles, with a higher probability of penetrating deep into the lungs, where they may stay a long time and may cause acute or chronic effects, and 2) larger particles, such as some molds, pollen, animal dander, and house dust allergens, which do not penetrate as deeply, but may cause an allergic response.
Permissible Exposure Limits (standards set by OSHA), workplace exposure limits established to protect on-the-job workers.
A term used to describe the hydrogen ion activity of a water system. A solution of pH 0 to 7 is acid, pH of 7 is neutral, pH 7 to 14 is alkaline.
The routes followed by a pollutant from its emission (source) as it travels through a strucducts, air streams, etc.
A flu-like illness caused by Legionnella or a similar bacterium named after a 1968 outbreak in Pontiac, Michigan.
Condition that exists when more air is supplied to a space than is exhausted, so that air pressure within that space is greater than that found in surrounding areas.
Psychological, organizational, and personal stressors that could produce symptoms similar to poor indoor air quality.
Development and dissemination of both technical and non-technical IAQ information to homeowners, private companies, the media, local officials, and other concerned parties.
Quality Assurance/newQuality Control procedures are used to assess method performance, accuracy, and precision.
Radiant heat transfer occurs when there is a large difference the temperatures of two No surfaces that are exposed to each other, but are not touching.
Radon particles that can be breathed into the lung, where they continue to release radiation as they further decay. Also known as radon decay products or radon daughters.
Situation that occurs when the air being exhausted from a building is immediately brought back into the system through the air intake and other openings in the building envelope.
A chemical acting as a poison by means of causing adverse effects on the male or female reproductive system (e.g. fertility, pregnancy outcomes).
Respirable-size particles include, but are not limited to, those from cigarette smoke; unvented combustion appliances such as gas stoves and kerosene heaters; viruses, bacteria, and some molds; and fragments of materials which, when whole, would be considered larger than respirable size particles. Health effects from exposure to respirable-size particles in the air depend on the types and concentrations of particles present, the frequency and duration of exposure, and individual sensitivity. Health effects can range from irritation of the eyes and/or respiratory tissues to more serious effects, such as cancer and decreased lung function. Biological particles, such as animal and insect allergens, viruses, bacteria, and molds, can cause allergic reactions, infectious diseases, and/or can produce toxic products which may be released into the air.
Muscle tone is high and there is continuous contraction and resistance to passive movement.
One of three groups of antimicrobials registered by EPA for public health uses.' EPA considers an antimicrobial to be a sanitizer when it reduces, but does not necessarily eliminate, all the microorganisms on a treated surface. To be a registered sanitizer, the test results for a product must show a reduction of at least 99.9% in the number of each test microorganisms over the parallel control.
Acronym for the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986. Title IV of this Act requires EPA to establish a research program for radon gas and IAQ and to disseminate information on IAQ problems and solutions based on current research.
Sick Building Syndrome. Term that refers to a set of symptoms affecting a number of building occupants during the time they spend in the building and diminish or go away during periods when they leave the building. Cannot be traced to specific pollutants or sources within the building. (Contrast with Building-Related Illness.)
A chlorine-releasing material used for disinfection. The strength of sodium hypochlorite solution reduces on storage.
Gases that enter a building from the surrounding ground (e.g., radon, volatile organics, pesticides).
Occurs when a house acts like a chimney. The warm air in the home is lighter than the cold air outside and rises in the building and escapes out the top. The cool air is drawn into the building as the warm air escapes.
A systematic, step-wise approach to investigation providing built-in decision points at which progress is assessed, and the investigation is redirected as necessary.
Usually, mandatory guidance which is founded on statutory authority and involves an enforcement program; however, sometimes used to refer to non-regulatory guidance (e.g., ASHRAE ventilation standards).
Condition that exists when an equal amount of air is supplied to and exhausted from a space. At static pressure, equilibrium has been reached.
One of three groups of antimicrobials registered for public health uses. EPA considers an antimicrobial to be a sterilizer when it destroys or eliminates all forms of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their spores. Because spores are considered the most difficult form of a microorganism to destroy, EPA considers the term sporicide to be synonymous with sterilizer.
Identification of objectives, measures of success, authority, overall resource commitment, coordination efforts, and level and timing of activities.
An area of the midbrain. Lesions can result in akinesia. Due to tremor at rest of Parkinson's disease.
A soluble surface acting agent that reduces surface tension between particulate matter and water.
Substances that affect entire organ systems, often operating far from the original site of entry.
Acronym for Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Studies. The goal of these long-term series of EPA-conducted studies is to determine the actual exposure of people to a substance or substances.
Part of cerebral hemispheres; process information reaching the cerebral cortex from rest of C.N.S.
A heat-conductive element in a building assembly that extends from the warm to the cold side and provides less heat-flow resistance than the adjacent construction.
The lowest dose of a chemical at which a specific measurable effect is observed. Below this dose, the effect is not observed.
The lowest dose of a chemical at which a specific measurable effect is observed. Below this dose, the effect is not observed.
Threshold Limit Values are the recommended concentrations of airborne contaminants to which workers may be exposed according to the ACGIH.
An estimate of the number of viable units of bacteria per milliliter of water under the conditions of testing. Note that no single method, culture medium or conditions of incubation can satisfy the growth requirements of all bacteria in a water sample.
The total weight of dissolved substances in water, including those which are capable of conducting electricity and those which are not.
Aggregate emissions of the following are determined by the EPA to be toxic -Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Polycyclic Organic Matter, Acetaldehyde, Formaldehyde.
Compounds, such as sulfur hexafluoride, which are used to identify suspected pollutant pathways and quantify ventilation rates. Tracer gases may be detected qualitatively by their odor or quantitatively by means of air monitoring equipment.
A tube which conducts air, also known as the windpipe in humans; the first main branch leading down from the throat towards the lungs.
Rhythmic oscillations of a part of the body around a fixed point; usually involve the distal parts of limbs, the head, tongue or jaw.
An infection associated with crowding and inadequate ventilation; characterized by the formation of tubercles, wasting away of tissue, etc., often in the lungs.
A cloudy appearance in water that is caused by a suspension of colloidal or particulate matter.
Time-weighted average. The average exposure an individual would experience over the period of an entire shift (usually 8 hours), measured at the breathing zone.
Vapors represent the gaseous phase of a substance that is normally liquid or solid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Air handling systems designed to condition air to a constant temperature and vary airflow to ensure thermal comfort.
A minimum amount of air required for IAQ and moisture control. This may be natural through leaks and infiltration or controlled in a tight house through a heat exchanger.
Defined as the total air, which is a combination of the air brought into a system from the outdoors and the air that is being recirculated within the building (Sometimes used to refer only to air brought into a system from the outdoors).
The rate at which outside air replaces indoor air (also referred to as air exchange rate), expressed in one of two ways-the number of changes of outside air per hour (ACH), or the rate at which a volume of outside air enters per unit of time (cubic feet per minute, or cfm).
The smallest of all life forms containing either RNA or DNA. Viruses are responsible for a variety of human infections.
Volatile Organic Compounds. Compounds that evaporate from housekeeping, maintenance, and building products made with organic chemicals. These compounds are released from product that are being used and are in storage. In sufficient quantities, VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritations, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, memory impairment; some are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans. At present, not much is know about what health effects occur at the levels of VOCs typically found in public and commercial buildings.
Compounds that evaporate from housekeeping, maintenance, and building products made with organic chemicals. These compounds are released from product that are being used and are in storage. In sufficient quantities, VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritations, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, memory impairment; some are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans. At present, not much is know about what health effects occur at the levels of VOCs typically found in public and commercial buildings.
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