EPA Indoor Air Quality Glossary of Terms, Oct 1997

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document indoor Air L/uality - Glossary ol lerms Page 2 ot 8

Espanol BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS: Agents derived from, or that are, living organisms (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mammal and bird antigens) that can be inhaled and lAQ Links can cause many types of health effects including allergic reactions, respiratory Public Service disorders, hypersensitivity diseases, and infectious diseases. Also referred to as Announcements "microbiologicals” or "microbials.' Asthma and Indoors BREATHING ZONE: Area of a room in which occupants breathe as they stand, sit, or Radon lie down. Secondhand Smoke/ BUILDING ENVELOPE: Elements of the building, including all external building Smoke-free Homes materials, windows, and walls, that enclose the internal space. Mold Resources I-BEAM Program BUILDING-RELATED ILLNESS (BRI): Diagnosable illness whose symptoms can be lAQ in Homes identified and whose cause can be directly attributed to airborne building pollutants lAQ in Schools (e.g.. Legionnaire’s disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis). Also: A discrete, lAQ in Large identifiable disease or illness that can be traced to a specific pollutant or source within Buildings a building. (Contrast with "Sick building syndrome"). Cleveland Air Toxics CEILING PLENUM: Space below the flooring and above the suspended ceiling that Pilot Project accommodates the mechanical and electrical equipment and that is used as part of the air distribution system. The space is kept under negative pressure.

CENTRAL AIR HANDLING UNIT (Central AHU): This is the same as an Air Handling Unit, but serves more than one area.

CFM. Cubic feet per minute. The amount of air, in cubic feet, that flows through a given space in one minute. 1 CFM equals approximately 2 liters per second (l/s).

CHEMICAL SENSITIZATION; Evidence suggests that some people may develop health problems characterized by effects such as dizziness, eye and throat irritation, chest tightness, and nasal congestion that appear whenever they are exposed to certain chemicals. People may react to even trace amounts of chemicals to which they have become "sensitized."

CO: Carbon monoxide.

C02.. Carbon dioxide.

COMBINATION FOUNDATIONS: Buildings constructed with more than one foundation type; e.g., basement/crawlspace or basement/slab-on-grade.

COMMISSIONING: 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 systems.

CONDITIONED AIR: Air that has been heated, cooled, humidified, or dehumidified to maintain an interior space within the "comfort zone." (Sometimes referred to as "tempered" air.)

CONSTANT AIR VOLUME SYSTEMS: Air handling system that provides a constant air flow while varying the temperature to meet heating and cooling needs.

DAMPERS: 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.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/glossary.html 4/8/02

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