Glossary

Small thin-walled air-containing compartments of the lung that are typically arranged in saclike clusters that give the tissue a honeycomb appearance and expand its surface area for the purpose of air exchange.

Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Asthma attacks are often triggered by exposure to allergens, and during an attack the airways spasm, alternatively swelling and narrowing, causing the individual to wheeze or gasp for air.

Any disease that is persistent or has long-lasting health effects.

Internal clock that keeps the body's hormones and bodily processes on a roughly 24-hour cycle, even in continuous darkness.

A group of diseases that impact the metabolism due to insufficient insulin production (Type 1) and/or high insulin resistance (Type 2), and a leading cause of death. Results in poor blood sugar control, frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger and other symptoms.

A standard format for reporting product content and associated health information for building products and materials.

Filter which removes 99.97% of all particles greater than 0.3 micrometers and satisfies standards of efficiency set by the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology.

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.

Localized protective reaction of tissue to irritation, injury or infection, characterized by pain, redness, swelling and sometimes loss of function.

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

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

Different spectral distributions of light which produce the same response on the cones and are therefore visually identical.

Diseases of the brain and nervous system.

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

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

Light-sensitive membrane found at the back end of the eyeball that receives the image produced by the lens.

A set of symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, eye irritation and breathing difficulties, that typically affect workers in modern airtight office buildings, and that are believed to be caused by indoor pollutants and poor environmental control.

Extent to which a substance is harmful to a living thing.

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

Ability for occupants to be able to choose their own workspace within the office or workplace.

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

Any outdoor pathways designated for pedestrian or biker use.

Personal habits and practices that help maximize sleep quality.

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

Outlines current indoor air quality guidelines for the workplace.

Glasswork, which must be carefully designed in order to avoid excessive glare and heat gain.

A physical area within a building that encourages group interplay and discussion though its strategic layout and design.

Quantified environmental data for a product with pre-set categories of parameters based on the International Organization of Standards (ISO) 14040 series of standards, but not excluding additional environmental information.

Substances consisting of very fine particles of a liquid or solid suspended in a gas. For example, mist which consists of very fine droplets of water in air.

Proteins generally found in the blood that detect and rid the body of potentially damaging organisms, such as bacteria and viruses.

Colorless, odorless and highly poisonous gas formed by incomplete combustion. Replaces oxygen in hemoglobin, limiting blood's ability to deliver oxygen and can lead to death.

Particulate matter larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter; also called PM₁₀. Often found near roadways and dusty industries.

Particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller. Can be directly emitted from combustion sources such as forest fires or can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles react in the air. Also called PM₂.₅

Substances typically added to processed foods to enhance or preserve flavor or appearance.

A simple sugar that is found naturally in small amounts in fruits and vegetables, but which occurs in extremely large quantities in many modern foods. High fructose intake has been implicated in liver disease, inflammation, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

A group of pesticides commonly used on farms and lawns to eliminate weeds from the fields.

Made by forcing hydrogen gas into oil at high pressure in order to increase the shelf life and prevent rancidity of an oil.

A naturally occurring metal found deep within the ground. Used in creation of old pipes, ceramics and paint. Also the stable final element of uranium's radioactive decay series.

A naturally-occurring poisonous metal element which occurs naturally in the earth's surface.

Broadly refers to chemical compounds that possess carbon-based atoms, generally found in biological systems.

Vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated for the purpose of being solid at room-temperature, which contain trans-fats.

An inexpensive plastic that is widely used for many objects. Exposure to its chemical precursors, additives and products of combustion can be harmful.

Neurotransmitter hormone produced in the gut and brain stem which regulates mood, sleep and digestion.

Also called nanoparticles, ultrafine particles are a subcategory of P₂.₅ which are exclusively less than 0.1 µm. Due to the small size they are often airborne and can easily reach the alveoli of the lungs.

Organic, and therefore carbon and hydrogen containing, materials which evaporate and diffuse easily at ambient temperature. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of building materials, paints and common consumer products.

A simple sugar that occurs widely in most plant and animal tissue. It is the principal circulating sugar in the blood and the major energy source of the body. Once eaten, carbohydrates break down immediately into glucose. Elevated blood glucose levels are one of the distinguishing elements of diabetes.

Typically solid at room temperature, saturated fats are found in high concentrations in salmon, butter, bacon, beef and cheese.

Coating on window surfaces purely for aesthetic purposes with no other functionality.

A product of combustion mainly found near burning sources (for instance, wood smoke and traffic combustion).