An organization that publishes and researches information on the sustainability of building materials and advocates environmentally friendly building materials and building policies.

Ventilation system that employs an air to air heat exchanger for the transfer of moisture and heat from outbound air to inbound circulated air.

Iron-containing protein which red blood cells their characteristic color and functions primarily in the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body.

Measure of ultraviolet radiation, usually ranging from 1 to 12 during the day on earth. Each unit equals 25 mW/m², weighted to the human erythema response.

Oils that are highly processed to remove impurities and therefore to withstand cooking heat. This usually leaves the oils prone to oxidation.

A state of having regulated responses to environmental conditions to retain stability.

Daily ingestion level of at substance believed to have no harmful effect to most people. Typically 100 to 1000 times less the No Observed Adverse Effects Level, and sometimes 10 times larger than the Population Adjusted Dose.

Act of absorbing, especially into a living organism.

A colorless, flammable, water-soluble, poisonous gas, having the odor of rotten eggs and used in the manufacture of chemicals, in metallurgy and as a reagent.

A term used to connect heat and moisture flows and their combined effect on building envelope (enclosure) performance.

Oversensitivity or an exaggerated immune response to what is perceived as a foreign substance.

Designing objects and spaces with aesthetically pleasing while maximizing accessibility, usability and operability regardless of the user's age, ability and other factors.

Part of the hypothalamus which regulates sex hormone release.

A condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain hormones, which over time can lead to several health problems including overweight and obesity, joint pain and heart disease.

Rock formed by the solidification of molten magma.

A sterilization method that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to break down microorganisms by destroying their DNA. Often used in a variety of applications, such as food, air and water purification.

The integrated body system of organs, tissues, cells and cell products such as antibodies that differentiates self from non-self and neutralizes potentially harmful organisms or substances.

An inability to develop a normal immune response, usually as a result of disease, malnutrition or medical therapy that affects the immune system.

A form of the chemical element silicon that has introduced nanoporous holes in its microstructure.

Sound waves with frequencies greater than 20 kHz. Too high for the human ear to hear.

A group of autoimmune diseases of the colon and small intestine, including chron's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths between 700 and 1,000,000 nm.

Conducted to determine safety by ascertaining how damaging a given chemical may be to living or non-living organisms.

An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation in the large intestine and rectum characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea.

A type of oil in which fatty acids held in triglycerides have been reconfigured. These fats were designed to replace trans-fats in commercial baked goods and processed foods. There is little known about their health effects.

Intervertebral discs (IVD) are the cartilaginous joints that lie between adjacent vertebra in the spine. Each disc allows slight movement of the vertebrae and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.

Relay environmental light levels to the suprachiasmatic nucleus through the retinohypothalamic tract. Most sensitive to blue light.

A specific designation of atom characterized by giving the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Nourishing, neuroprotective and immune-supporting compounds that are converted from dietary medium-chained fatty acids in the liver. Ketone-producing diets increase HDL, improve weight loss and kill or inhibit the growth of parasites, viruses and fungi. Ketogenic diets can protect and heal neurons, improving spinal injury recovery time, reducing the severity of and in some cases reversing epilepsy, alzheimers, MS and parkinson's disease, autism and schizophrenia.

Eventual product of glucose in cells during metabolism which, when its production exceeds a cell's ability to remove it, contributes to the "burning" sensation in exercise.

Bacterium that thrives in moist conditions found in central heating and air conditioning systems that can cause Legionnaires' disease.

The most common form of diabetes, usually appearing in middle aged adults and often associated with obesity and may be controlled with diet and exercise. In type II diabetes the cells are not responding properly to the insulin, and/or there is not enough insulin being produced.

An umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of the brain.

The affinity or dissolvability of a compound in fat or oil.

The Living Building Challenge is a certification program for sustainability of the built environment.

Also called juvenile diabetes, type I diabetes usually begins early in life. Affected individuals are unable to produce insulin and must take insulin injections.

Smallest level of daily ingestion of at substance shown to have some harmful effect on laboratory test animals. Always larger than the No Observed Adverse Effect Level.

Permit program established by the federal government in 1972 to control point-source discharges of wastewater to lakes, streams, wetlands and other surface waters.

Nearsightedness or shortsightedness, caused by light being focused in front of the retina rather than on it.

Inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, with the result that oxygen and/or carbon dioxide levels leaving the heart cannot be maintained within their normal ranges.

Defective or insufficient absorption of nutrients from the small intestine.

A condition that results from insufficient nutrient intake, excess nutrient intake or nutrient intake in the wrong proportions.

An acute episode of heart disease marked by the damage of heart muscle due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle, also called a heart attack.

Infectious disease usually spread by inhalation of the airborne bacteria. Chiefly affects the lungs but may spread to other areas. Characterized by fever, cough, difficulty breathing and fibrosis.

The eye's response to brightness using a combination of the M and L cones. Most sensitive to light at 555 nm.

Any biochemical process that occurs within an organism that is necessary to sustain life.

Toxins produced by some species of mold, the toxins are very dangerous to humans and animals.

Membrane in the ear canal that separates the external ear from the middle ear; more commonly known as eardrum.

The simplest organic compound - made up of four carbon-hydrogen bonds.