The act of breathing or the heating of incoming air to the core body temperature (CBT) then breathing out.

A class of disease that affects the heart, arteries, capillaries or veins.

Equipment, distribution systems and terminals that provide the processes of heating, ventilating or air conditioning.

An organic compound that contains one or more chlorine atoms.

A poison that targets the reproductive system.

Surfaces that are frequently touched by building users and occupants such as door knobs, hand rails and tables. See Table A1.

A chemical that interferes with the signalling of the endocrine system in mammals and that can lead to developmental disorders, birth defects and cancer.

Flu-like illness marked by fever, headache, chills and malaise but without prominent pulmonary symptoms. It is a disease of uncertain origin, with onset occurring a few hours after exposure usually to amoebae, bacteria and fungi found in humidifier reservoirs, air conditioners and aquaria.

Chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse. These are an essential component of a functioning nervous system.

A collection of compounds that have high resistance to degradation from abiotic and biotic factors, high mobility in the environment and high toxicity.

Food that is designed, engineered or marketed to be as desirable as possible. Often characterized by the presence of excessive salt, sweeteners and oils, these foods can overcome feelings of satiety to induce overeating..

An inflammation of the alveoli within the lung caused by hypersensitivity to inhaled organic dusts. Symptoms usually include fever, chills, fatigue, breathlessness, cough and chest tightness.

Sound waves are pressure variations in a medium (air, water, etc.). The pressure differences create vibrations and are ultimately interpreted as sounds/noises when they reach the ears.

Part of the brain that links the endocrine system with the nervous system through the pituitary gland.

Hypoxia is an abnormal condition of the body in which oxygen intake or use is inadequate causing a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching body tissues.

Nerve cells which transmit signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.

An areas where workers or other building occupants perform focused activities inside a building for an average of one hour a day or more.

Test used to detect the presence or quantity of a substance based on its capacity to act as an antigen or antibody.

Any compound or substance that may impair proper immune functioning.

Anvil shaped bone in the middle ear located between the malleus and stapes. The incus transmits vibrations from the malleus to the stapes.

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.

An acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by fever, chills, muscular pain and prostration.

Sound waves with frequencies less than 20 Hz. Too low for the human ear to hear.

Chemicals applied to crops or structures to reduce the harmful effects of insect pests.

A natural byproduct of oxygen metabolism, ROS are reactive oxygen intermediates vital to cell signaling and homeostasis. However, an over production of ROS, in times of environmental stress, can cause damage to cells structures.

Any eating pattern in which the timing of calorie-consumption is restricted on a daily or weekly basis. A common intermittent fasting pattern is characterized by an 8-hour eating window and a 16-hour fasting period.

The space inside of a cell.

The process by which an atom or a molecule looses or gains an electron thereby acquiring a negative or positive charge.

The process by which fats, oils and other lipids are decomposed, often resulting in undesirable odors and flavors, reducing nutritional value and introducing harmful oxidative compounds.

Process of metabolism in which cells produce ATP aerobically within the mitochondria and is the primary energy process of cells.

An infectious biological agent such as bacteria, virus and fungus that is capable of causing disease in its host.

A type of pneumonia caused by bacteria. It is initially characterized by symptoms resembling the flu followed by high fever, cough, diarrhea and mental confusion, and may be fatal especially in elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Added during material production to impart stabilization against the influence of light and temperature.

The theory positing a causal link between higher dietary saturated fat and cholesterol intake with plasma lipoprotein composition and heart disease.

An organ that plays a vital role in a range of important metabolic processes including detoxification, protein synthesis and glycogen storage.

Type of one-dimensional wave made of compressions and rarefactions when traveling through a medium. Characteristics of longitidunal waves are that the distance between the peaks increases and decreases with oscillations.

The energy and particles which are released during the decomposition process of atomic nuclei is called radiation.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standards 62.1 is the recognized standard for ventilation system design and acceptable procedure with regards to establishing an effective ventilation system.

Particles between 1 and 100 nanometers in size.

The rate of death due to a disease or other cause.

Heat transfer resulting from Planck radiation and an imbalance in temperatures between an object and its surroundings. The only mode of heat transfer which can operate in a vacuum.

Mallet shaped bone in the middle ear located between the incus and the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

Process of engulfing and ingestion of a foreign particle.

The rate of incidence of a disease.

A poison that targets the nervous system, disrupting proper neuron-signalling.

A disease that causes the formation of malignant cancer cells within the lining of the chest, abdomen or heart.

The suite of conditions associated with metabolic syndrome.

A cluster of medical conditions or risk factors that increase the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes fatty liver disease and several cancers.

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs