GLOSSARY

An exaggerated or pathological reaction (sneezing, respiratory irritation, itching or skin rashes) to substances that are without comparable effect on the average individual.

A type of dementia marked by the loss of cognitive ability, affecting memory, thinking and behavior generally over a period of 10 to 15 years.

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.

Photosensitive cells in the eye used to differentiate colors and brightness in moderate and high levels of illumination.

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.

A physical area within a building that encourages concentration and attentiveness to a task among occupants though its strategic layout and design.

Any of a group of unicellular, multicellular or syncytial spore-producing organisms feeding on organic materials.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Particles between 1 and 100 nanometers in size.

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

Products or materials applied or installed within one year prior to the WELL Performance Verification are considered to be newly installed.

Outlines current indoor air quality guidelines for the workplace.

Items that are permanently located on site, but not fixed or stationary, for example desk or desktop organizers.

The gross square footage entered for the project should include the sum of the floor areas of the spaces within the building, including basements, mezzanine and intermediate-floored tiers, and penthouses with headroom height of 7.5 ft or greater. Measurements must be taken from the exterior faces of the exterior walls OR from the centerline of walls separating buildings. The gross square footage should exclude non-enclosed (or non-enclosable) roofed-over areas such as exterior covered walkways, porches, terraces or steps, roof overhands, and similar features. Excludes air shafts, pipe trenches, chimneys, and floor area dedicated to the parking and circulation of motor vehicles.

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

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

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

Angles or corners of less than 135 deg.

Personal habits and practices that help maximize sleep quality.

A group of cells that perform a common and specified function. At an organizational level, tissues are between cells and organs.

Any outdoor pathways designated for pedestrian or biker use.

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

A view window is offset at least 25ft from the nearest obstruction

A sheet, spray- or trowel-applied membrane or material layer that prevents the passage of liquid water even after long or continuous exposure to moisture.

A potentially toxic and potentially cancer-causing substance that can be naturally present in uncooked, raw foods in very small amounts.

Environmental substance that can produce an allergic reaction in the body but may not be intrinsically harmful. Common allergens include pollen, animal dander, house dust, feathers and various foods.

A naturally occurring metal found in ore deposits; the most common form of antimony is antimony trioxide, which is used as a flame retardant.

A naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in insulation because of its chemical and flame resistance, tensile strength and sound absorption properties. It is now known to be a leading cause of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Widely used as a precursor to various materials such as detergents, dyes, pesticides, Styrofoam, nylon and other synthetic fibers.

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.

A disinfectant formed when ammonia is added to chlorine and is commonly used as a secondary disinfectant in public water systems.

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

A hormone that plays a primary role in stress, during which it increases blood sugar, suppresses the immune system and aids in protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Also undergoes diurnal variation, playing an important role in the sleep-wake cycle.

A naturally occurring component of crude oil and a combustion byproduct.

Chemicals used in thermoplastics, thermosets, textiles and coatings that inhibit or resist the spread of fire. Some of these chemicals have been linked to cancer, delayed development, low IQ and thyroid disruption.

A colorless gas compound, HCHO. Used for manufacturing melamine and phenolic resins, fertilizers, dyes and embalming fluids as preservatives and disinfectants.

Chemicals applied to crops or structures to reduce the harmful effects of mold, mushrooms and other fungi.

A non-selective herbicide used in many pesticide formulations; exposure may result from its normal use due to spray drift, residues in food crops and from runoff into drinking water sources.

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.