Glossary

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.

2nd division of the C.N.S.

In toxicology, refers to the biochemical changes that a chemical undergoes in the body.

Milligrams per liter (parts per million). For practical purposes mg/L is assumed to be equal to ppm.

Microscopic forms of life.

Infection or pollution by microscopic organisms.

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.

Characterized by very small, cramped handwriting.

4th division of the C.N.S.

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.

Growth produced by any of a large group of fungi which has a cottony or furry appearance.

Material Safety Data Sheet

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.

Substances that induce a permanent change in the genetic material.

Unable to speak, inarticulate; inability or refusal to speak.

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.