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Glossary of Mold Related Terms
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Select a letter:
PA
Pascal; unit of pressure measurement.
PAHs
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
Particulate Matter
A state of matter in which solid or liquid substances exist in the form of aggregated molecules or particles. Airborne particulate matter is typically in the size range of 0.01 to 100 micrometers.
Particulates
Fine liquid or solid particles such as dust, smoke, mist, fumes, and fog found in air and emissions.
Pathogenic
Capable of causing disease.
Pathogens
Microorganisms that can cause disease in other organisms, humans, animals, or plants.
PCBs
Polychlorinated biphenyls.
pCi/I
Pico Curies per liter; a measure of radon concentration.
PELs
Permissible Exposure Limits (standards set by OSHA).
Perception
Awareness of the effects of stimuli.
Pest
Any form of animal, plant, or terrestrial life that is injurious to health or the environment.
Pesticide
Substance intended to control, prevent, or kill a pest.
pH
A measure of acidity or alkalinity on a scale of 0 to 14 where 7 is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acid and a pH greater than 7 is alkaline or base.
Phosphates
Alkaline builders used in detergents to soften water.
Phytotoxic
Something that harms plants
PICs
Products of incomplete combustion. All particles and gases that are emitted from an object at the time it is burning.
PIU
Perimeter induction unit
Plenum
Air compartment connected to a duct or ducts.
Plug Flow
A flow regime where the flow is predominately in one direction and contaminants are swept along with the flow.
Plume
A visible or measurable discharge of a contaminant body from a given point of origin. Can be a visible body of pollution such as smoke coming from a stack or a measured amount such as heat in water coming from a power plant boiler.
PM
Preventive Maintenance
Pollutant Pathways
Avenues for distribution of pollutants in a building. HVAC systems are the primary pathways in most building, however all building components interact to affect how air movement distributes pollutants.
Pollution
Unwanted by-product of human activity. the presence of matter or energy whose nature, location, or quantity produces undesired environmental effects.
Positive Pressure
Condition that exists when more air is supplied to a space than is exhausted, so the air pressure within that space is greater than that in surrounding areas.
PPB
Parts Per Billion
PPM
Parts Per Million
Pressure, Total
In flowing air, the sum of the static pressure and the velocity pressure.
Pressure, Velocity
In flowing air, the pressure due to the velocity and density of the air.
Preventive Maintenance
Regular and systematic inspection, cleaning, and replacement of worn parts, materials, and systems. Preventive maintenance helps to prevent parts, material, and systems failure by ensuring that parts, materials and systems are in good working order.
Productivity
The efficiency with which a person performing a specific function does a job, or the output of a worker under specific environments and conditions.
Psychological Factors
Psychological, organizational, and personal stressors that could produce symptoms similar to poor indoor air quality.