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Glossary of Mold Related Terms
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Select a letter:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
A colorless, odorless, nonpoisonous gas which results from fuel combustion and human activity indoors. Elevated levels of CO2 indicate ineffective ventilation indoors.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas which results from incomplete combustion.
Carcinogen
A substance that can cause or contribute to cancer.
Caustic
Able to burn, corrode, dissolve, or eat away other substances.
Caustic Soda
Sodium hydroxide, a strong alkaline substance used as the cleaning agent in some detergents.
CAV
See constant air volume
Ceiling Plenum
Space below the flooring and above the suspended ceiling that accommodates the mechanical and electrical equipment and that is used as part of the air distribution system. The space is kept under negative pressure.
Central AHU
See "Central Air Handling Unit."
Central Air Handling Unit
For purposes of this document, this is the same as an AHU, but serves more than one area.
CFM
Cubic feet per minute. The amount of air, in cubic feet, that flows through a given space in one minute.
Chemical Cleaning
Cleaning by using a chemical instead of mechanical or abrasive cleaning.
Chemical Disinfection
Disinfection by using chemicals instead of heat and other physical, electrical, or radioactive methods.
Chemical Mixture
Any combination of two or more substances.
Chemisorb
To take up and hold, usually irreversible, by chemical forces.
Chlorinated Solvents
Organic solvents containing chlorine atoms. Examples include methylene chloride, perchloroethylene and 1,1,1 trichloroethylene used as cleaning agents.
Chronic Exposure
Long-term exposure lasting several weeks to a lifetime.
Chronic Toxicity
The ability of a substance to cause long-term poisonous human health effects.
Cinogenic
Able to induce a cancer response at the cellular level.
Cleaning
The process of removing unwanted substances and putting them in their proper place.
CO
Carbon Monoxide.
CO2
Carbon dioxide
Coagulation
A joining together of particles that settle out in waste water. Lime, alum, and iron salts induce the clumping of particles.
Combustion
Burning or rapid oxidation accompanied by a release of energy.
Commissioning
Start-up of a building that includes testing and adjusting HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other systems to assure proper functioning and adherence to design criteria. Commissioning also includes the instruction of building representatives in the use of the building systems.
Concentration
The quantity of one constituent dispersed in a defined amount of another.
Conditoined Air
Air handling system that provides a constant air flow while varying the temperature to meet heating and cooling needs.
Contaminant
Any physical, chemical, biological, or radioactive substance that can adversely affect air, water or soil.
Corrosion
Action or effect of eating away gradually. This can occur through oxidation, the action of strong acids, or caustic alkali.
Corrosive
A chemical agent that reacts with a surface, causing it to deteriorate or wear away.
Crawl Space
The area beneath floors that provides access to utilities and other services. Other options are basements and slabs on grade.
Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)
A measure of the volume of a substance flowing through air within a fixed period of time. Indoors, it is the amount of air measured in cubic feet that is delivered and exchanged in one minute.