Glossary

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.

Depending at least in part on dead organic matter as a food source.

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).

A substance used for either absorption or adsorption.

Emissions generated at the origin of a pollutant.

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.

Short-term exposure limit

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.

An area within the basal ganglia.

A soluble surface acting agent that reduces surface tension between particulate matter and water.

Faint; loss of consciousness.

Substances that affect entire organ systems, often operating far from the original site of entry.