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Glossary of Terms

Accredited Laboratory- A lab that has been accredited by a recognized agency to the ISO 17025 Standard.

Aflatoxin- A Mycotoxin which is known to be one of the most toxic naturally occurring substances which is from Aspergillus flavus mold growth.

Allergen- A substance such as mold or pet hair which can cause an allergic reaction.

Ambient air- Outdoor air or representative of a general volume of indoor air.

Amplification of molds- Any indoor scenario which may increase the concentration of molds such as moisture in a wall cavity or mold growth in an HVAC system.

Anti-fungal treatment- Any mold remediation activity which removes, disinfects, or treats surfaces contaminated by mold.

Asbestos- A naturally occurring mineral fiber used in hundreds of building and insulation materials. Exposure to asbestos is a known health risk for cancer especially due to occupational contact. Asbestos is a regulated material and professional removal using engineering controls is recommended in most cases.

Asthma- A condition of respiratory sensitivity when lung tissue swells in reaction to exposure to particles which irritate the small passages of the lung tissue.

Aspergillosis- An infection of fungi internal to humans due to breathing high concentrations of Aspergillus fungi over prolonged periods. This is a serious concern in hospitals.

Aspergillus- A mold type which commonly forms in water or moisture damaged building materials and environments which can produce toxins. This mold type is part of a group generally reported as Penicillium / Aspergillus group when identified under direct microscopic analysis due to the similarity in morphology (spore shape and size to Penicillium). This mold type is a primary colonizer in wet or moist environments and can be a serious health concern especially to those who are sensitive or have immune systems issues. See Aspergillosis

Bioaerosols- Airborne particles that are living or originate from living organisms.

Biocide- Any agent which kills molds, bacteria, infected surfaces

Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) - An individual certified by the American Industrial Hygiene Association. They test and assess workplace environments usually in industrial settings. An IH is not a CIH, the term "IH" is not a professional designation.

Cladosporium- A common mold found in abundance in the outdoor environment and is dominant especially in leaf decay and in ambient air everywhere.

Colony Forming Unit (CFU) - mold spores or groups of spores and structures which form a colony when introduced to favorable environmental conditions.

Condensation- Moisture which arises due to temperature differences and moisture content in building materials, HVAC systems, and dehumidification are important factors in controlling condensation. High relative humidity and cold surfaces will produce condensation and therefore cause areas to grow mold when fed by this moisture.

Condition 1- Refers to the IICRC 520 definition of normal fungal ecology in an indoor environment. This typically reflects the mold types and concentrations in air or settled as dust in a normal scenario (often compared with outdoor air as a reference)

Condition 2- Refers to the IICRC 520 definition of an indoor environment which is primarily contaminated with settled spores dispersed from a Condition 3 environment which may have traces of actual mold or heavy mold spore concentrations.

Condition 3- Refers to the IICRC 520 definition of an indoor environment contaminated with actual mold growth active or dormant, visible or hidden. Usually this scenario is one where mold remediation methods and practices are needed to bring the environment back to Condition 1.

Chrysotile Asbestos- The most common asbestos fiber type found in insulation and flooring.

Culture based analysis- Mold samples transferred to an agar-based culture media to be grown under favorable conditions to form colonies for identification or quantification.

Dehumidification- Removing moisture vapor from the air. When relative humidity is below 60%, mold growth is less likely to begin.

Dust Mites- Microscopic mites which live in dust and carpet or textiles especially when subjected to high moisture. Dust mites cause allergic reactions.

Fungi- Includes molds, yeasts, and mushrooms which are classified as a Kingdom of their own (like the Plant Kingdom or Animal Kingdom). Molds or fungi can grow on virtually any organic substance providing moisture and oxygen are present.

Fungicide- Any agent used to kill Fungi or molds.

HEPA Vacuum- A High Efficiency Particulate Air vacuum cleaner designed to trap particulate at a known standard of 99.97% efficient at 0.3 microns in size. This includes trapping mold spores.

HEPA Filter- Typically a pleated paper filter designed to remove particulate to a standard of 99.97% efficient at 0.3 microns in size.

HVAC System- Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning System which includes ductwork, air handlers, cooling coils, or heat source.

Hypersensitivity- An allergic response or condition of a primed individual who tends to give an exaggerated immune response upon further exposure to the relevant antigen.

Hyphae- Portions of mold growth which are analogous to stems or fragments of mold which can also be an airborne irritant.

IAQ- Indoor Air Quality

Immunocompromised- A weakened immune system

Indicator Organisms- Any mold types which are prevalent in conducive environments which indicate for potential mold problems. Examples; Ulocladium, Chaetomium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Trichoderma.

I.H. - Industrial Hygienist- A person acting in the capacity of a sampler of an indoor environment for taking air or surface samples. An IH is not a professional designation. See "Certified Industrial Hygienist" for the professional definition of CIH.

Microscopic Analysis- Identification of mold types by direct microscope observation.

Moisture content- The amount of moisture content in a substrate. Wood with a moisture content above 20% can support fungi growth.

Mold- A group of organisms which belong to the kingdom Fungi. There are thousands of mold species.

Mycotoxin- A toxic substance known to be produced by molds and can be responsible for health effects in cases of intense or prolonged mold exposure of specific types of mold.

Negative Air Machine- A device which moves or exhausts air from a containment area and vents the output to outdoors. Usually the device has a filter to remove particulate as it draws air. A negative pressure is developed within the containment to control particulate from migrating out of the controlled air volume. The use of NAMs are a standard tool in performing environmentally related clean-up in asbestos and mold projects.

Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome- Can occur after exposure to dust contaminated with fungi which produces flu-like symptoms.

OSHA- Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Relative Humidity- The amount of water vapor in ambient air. High relative humidity in a home will cause mold growth. Typically when Relative humidity is above 60%, moreover above 70%, mold becomes more likely to be active. Respiratory Protection- A face mask or filter mask which filters the air while breathing to protect the wearer from exposure to airborne particulate or gases. Respiratory protection is rated for different exposures agents or environments. The best type for heavy mold is a P-100 half face respirator.

Pathogen- Any microorganism capable of causing disease. Many mold types are pathogenic.

Penicillium / Aspergillus

- A mold group usually expressed together during mold identification due to the similarity in mold spore shape and size (called morphology)

Stachybotrys- Sometimes referred to as "Black Mold", this mold type has been known to be potentially toxic in nature. These mold types typically grow on paper products and especially drywall which has been saturated or has a high moisture content. There is conflicting information regarding the toxicity of this mold type.

Spore- The reproductive seed released by mold growth which can act as an irritant and caused allergic reaction. These are microscopic particles and can be identified by characteristics in shape and size.

Spore Count- The concentration and identification of mold spores in the air expressed as a concentration of spores per cubic meter (s/cu.m.). Typical healthy indoor air quality conditions would indicate for roughly the same spore concentrations in comparison to outdoors and contain the same types of molds.

Swab- A sampling method which employs a "Q-Tip" like applicator to Capture a small amount of surface mold which is then used for lab identification.

Toxic Mold- Any mold type which produces "Mycotoxins" which can be a health concern especially for those individuals more susceptible to mold or have compromised immune systems. Specific molds are known to produce these toxic agents such as Stachybotrys Atra mold which grows especially well on drywall type wallboards.

VOC-Volatile Organic Compound- Any organic compound that enters a gas phase and affects the indoor environment. Many paints, solvents, textiles, building materials, adhesives and plastics give off VOC's.

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