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A B
C D E F
G H I J
K L M N
O P Q R
S T U V
W X Y Z
A top
- Aflatoxin B
- Perhaps the most well known and studied mycotoxin. It can be produced by the molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and is one of the most potent carcinogens known. Ingestion of aflatoxin B can cause liver cancer. There is also some evidence that inhalation of aflatoxin B can cause lung cancer. Aflatoxin B has been found on contaminated grains, peanuts, and other human and animal foodstuffs. However, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are no commonly found on building materials or in indoor environments. (EPA, 2001)
- Allergen
- Substance (such as mold) that can cause an allergic reaction. (AIHA , 1996)
- Allergic Reaction
- Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions to mold are common and these reactions can be immediate or delayed. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, redeye, and skin rash (dermatitis). Mold spores and fragments can produce allergic reactions in sensitive individuals regardless of whether the mold is dead or alive. Repeated or single exposure to mold or mold spores may cause previously non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive. Repeated exposure has the potential to increase sensitivity. (EPA, 2001)
- Amplification
- Increase in number; replication. (AIHA, 1996)
- Anderson N-6 Sampler
- A viable particulate sampler which is an aluminum device containing an impactor stage that contains 400 precision drilled holes. The agar plate is placed inside the impactor stage that is sealed with O-ring gaskets. When air is drawn through the sampler, multiple jets of air enter the stage that directs any airborne particles toward the surface of the agar collection surface. Agar plates are then incubated for 7 to 10 days at the laboratory.
- APR
- Air Purifying Respirator. (EPA, 2001)
- Asthma
- Molds can trigger asthma attacks in persons who are allergic (sensitized) to molds. The irritants produced by molds may also worsen asthma in non-allergic (non-sensitized) people. (EPA, 2001)
B top
- Bioaerosols
- Airborne particles origination from microbial matter. Together with particles from vegetable and animal origins, they form organic dusts. (AIHA, 1996)
- Biocide
- Substance or chemical that kills organisms such as molds. (EPA, 2001)
C top
- Cyclex-d Cassette
- A non-viable sampling device designed for the rapid collection and analysis of a wide range of airborne particles. Samples are analyzed via microscopy and reported as a total, meaning they include both viable and non-viable fungal spores. This is commonly referred to as "non-viable" sampling, but in actuality, viability is not determined. This technique also does not allow for the differentiation between Aspergillus and Penicillium species, as they are similar in appearance.
- Colony Forming Unit
- One or more cells that grow to form a single visible colony (CFU). (AIHA, 1996)
G top
- Glucans
- Small pieces of the cell walls of molds which may cause inflammatory lung and airway reactions. These glucans can affect the immune system when inhaled. Exposure to very high levels of glucans or dust mixtures including glucans may cause a flu-like illness known as Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS). This illness has beeen primarily noted in agricultural and manufacturing settings. (EPA, 2001)
H top
- HEPA
- High Efficiency Particulate Air. (EPA, 2001)
- Hypersensitivity
- Great or excessive sensitivity. (EPA, 2001)
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
- May develop following either short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) exposure to molds. The disease resembles bacterial pneumonia and is uncommon. (EPA, 2001)
I top
- IAQ
- Indoor Air Quality. (EPA, 2001)
- Irritant Effects
- Can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and sometimes can create a burning sensation in these areas. (EPA, 2001)
L top
- LOD
- Limit of detection. (AIHA, 1996)
M top
- Mold
- Molds are a group of organisms that belong to the kingdom Fungi. There are over 20,000 species of mold. (EPA, 2001)
- MVOC
- Microbial volatile organic compound, a chemical made by a mold which may have a moldy or musty odor.(EPA.2001)
- Mycotoxins
- Molds can Produce toxic substances called mycotoxins. Some mycotoxins cling to the surface of mold spores; others may be found within spores. More than 200 mycotoxins have been identified from common molds, and many more remain to be identified. Some of the molds that are known to produce mycotoxins are commonly found in moisture-damaged buildings. Exposure pathways for mycotoxins can include inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Although some mycotoxins are well known to affect humans and have been shown to be responsible for human health effects, for many mycotoxins, little information is available. (EPA, 2001)
O top
- Opportunistic Infections
- People with weakened immune systems (ie., immune-compromised or immune-suppressed individuals) may be more vulnerable to infections by molds (as well as more vulnerable than healthy persons to mold toxins). Aspergillus fumigatus, for example, has been known to infect the lungs of immune compromised individuals. These individuals inhale the mold spores which then start growing in their lungs. Trichoderma has also been known to infect immune-compromised children. (EPA,2001)
- OSHA
- Occupational Safety and Health Association. (EPA, 2001)
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- PAPR
- Powered Air Purifying Respirator. (EPA, 2001)
- PPE
- Personal Protective Equipment. (EPA, 2001)
S top
- Saprotrophic fungi
- Fungi that derive nutrition from dead organisms. Most fungi of concern as air contaminants are saprotrophic. (AIHA, 1996)
- Sensitization
- Repeated or single exposure to an allergen that results in the exposed individual becoming hypersensitive to the allergen. (AIHA, 1996)
- Spore
- Molds reproduce by means of spores. Spores are microscopic; they vary in shape and size (2 -100 micrometers). Spores may travel in several ways. They may be passively moved (by a breeze or water drop), mechanically disturbed (by a person or animal passing by), or actively discharged by the mold (usuall under moist conditions or high humidity). (EPA, 2001)
X top
- Xerophilic fungi
- Fungi that can grow under relatively dry conditions. (AIHA, 1996)
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