Glossary

Air

Air, somtimes referred to as  “pure” air contains a mixture of gases of about 78 % nitrogen, 21 % oxygen and the balance, 1 % or less of carbon dioxide, argon and other gases. There is also water vapor found in varing amounts.

Air Pollutant

An air pollutant is an invading foreign and/or natural substances to "pure" air that enters the atmosphere and may result in adverse effects on humans, animals, vegetation and/or materials.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

AQI is a measure used to extablish the air quality we breathe. It is a numerical index used to informs the public on the severity of air pollution levels. The AQI is the tracking of five criteria pollutants: ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. These individual data are combined and expressed as a single index.  AQI levels range from 0 (Good air quality) to 5OO (Hazardous air quality).

Air Quality Standard (AQS)

AQS is a defined standard level of pollutant for outside air that is considered exceptable. Should this standard be exceeded during a specific time period, public's health is at risk. AQSs are established by federal and state governments.

Air Toxins

This is a generic term that refers to harmful compounds, particularly chemicals or group of chemicals in the air. Harmful compounds to living things, particularaly to human. Any compound found n the air that can produce adverse health effects is considered a toxic.

Allergen

A substance capable of provoking a human body reaction. An allergic reaction from an individual's sensitivity to that substance.

Biological Contaminants

These are living contaminants, often living organismssuch as, viruses, bacteria. fungi, and mammal & bird antigens that when  inhaled, can cause many types of negitive health effects including allergic reactions, respiratory disorders, hypersensitivity diseases, and infectious diseases. Biological contaminants are also identified as “microbiologicals” or “microbials.” 

Building-Related Illness (DRI)

This is a medical term that refers to a diagnosable illness related to or caused by airborne building pollutants. Examples of a DRI illness is legionnaire’s disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis.. 

CFM

CFM is an abbreviation for Cubic Feet per Minute. This is a measure for the amount of air, in cubic feet, that flows through a given space in one minute. 1 CFM equals is an equivalent measure to approximately 2 liters per second (l/s).

Conditioned Air

Conditioned air is as that has been modified and can be: heated, cooled, humidified, or dehumidified to maintain an interior space within the "comfort zone." Conditioned ar is also identified as “tempered” air.

Environmental Illness (EI)

This is a term for diseases that are caused by the human-made environments. The bases of these diseases can be natural or artificial causes.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)

This is smoke that is emitted from the burning end of a pipe, cigar, cigarette, or pipe,. ETS is also known as Second Hand Smoke (SHS).

Fungi

This is a group of parasitic plants that lack chlorophyll, including molds and mildews.

Hydrocarbons

These are a combination of hydrogen and carbon atoms from process or natural sources or as a result of fossil and vegetative fuel combustion, fuel volatilization, and solvent use. The main polluting contributer to smog is hydrocarbons.

IAQ

IAU is an abbreviation for Indoor Air Quality which refers to a measure for levels of contamination that exists within a enclosed space..

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)

When exposed to chemicals, a person can build up sensitives or intolerant. Most often, it is the chemical gases or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that become irritants even at very low concentrations.

Organic Compounds

Compounds found in the air that contain carbon are considered organic compounds.. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), also called chemical gases are created from a vaporizing action at room temperature. They are found in many common household products and building materials.

PPM

PPM is an abbreviation for Parts Per Million, a measure used to describe the amount of compound (elements) in the air by volume.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Solid or liquid contamination particles such as soot, dust, smoke, fumes, aerosols, etc. are Particulate Matter used as a standard for tracting air pollution. There are two sizes of PM. They are: Course matter referred to as Particulate Matter 10 that are 2.5 - 10 micros in diameter and Fine matter referred to as Particulate Matter 2.5 that is 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter. 

Particulate Matter 10 (PM 10) 

Tiny solid or liquid particles of soot, dust, smoke, fumes, aerosols, etc. The size of the particulate is 2.5 to 10 microns in diameter. When breathing, these course particulates easily enter the air sacs in the lungs where they may be deposited. They can be an irritant and can result in adverse health effects. PM IO is what is often seen in the atmosphere with the eye and is a standards measurement of air pollutant.

Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) 

Fine particles, or PM2.5 are very tiny solid or liquid pollution of soot, dust, smoke, fumes, aerosols, etc. that  represent a greater health risk than PM 10. Thesse particulates are referred to as untra-fine or neno sized particles that can enter the lungs and pass through. These particulates are often to small for the human body's natural defenses to catch thus, a greater danger to our health. The United States Environmental Protection Agency tracks boty the PM 10 andl PM 2.5.

Radon (Rn) and Radon Decay Products

Radon is a radioactive gas that is formed from the decay of uranium. The radon decay products can also be referred to as radon daughters or progeny and are dangerious to human health because, when inhaled radiation continues to be released.

Reactive Organic Gas (HOG)

This is a chemical gas derived from a photochemical reaction in the atmosphere non-methane hydrocarbons that contribute to the formation of smog, sometimes referred to as Non-Methane Organic Gases (NMOGs).

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

This is a term that is used to identify symtoms or a set of symptoms that building occupants exhibit during the time spent in the building and diminish or go away when they leave the building.

Smog

This is an atmospheric condition that is created when there is a combination of smoke and particulates including ozone, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and other chemically reactive compounds. These combinations, under certain conditions of weather and sunlight result in noticeable smokey, brown haze that introduce heatth risks when inhaled.

Soot

This is a term that referres to emissions from fires, factory smoke stacks adn other sources of very fine carbon particles. They can be found in many color shades of exhausts that are emitted into the air.

Volatile Organic Compounds (V0Cs)

VOCs are chemical gases, or compounds that vaporize at room temperature and create a health risk. Common sources include household and maintenance cleaning products, building and furnishing materials, etc..