Glossary

Increase in heart rate.

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 sensation of being too cold or too warm.

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 value

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.

Harmful, poisonous.

Aggregate emissions of the following are determined by the EPA to be toxic -Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Polycyclic Organic Matter, Acetaldehyde, Formaldehyde.

A poison.

The innate ability of a contaminant to cause injury to biological tissue.

The study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms.

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.

Toxic Substances Control Act.

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.

Total volatile organic compounds.

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.