Limited ability to speak unless spoken to; response usually a direct echo of examiner.

Bacterial by-products excreted into the environment.

Conditions other than indoor air contaminants that cause stress, comfort, and/or health problems (e.g., humidity extremes, drafts, lack of air circulation, noise, and overcrowding).

Acronym for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal agency responsible for the regulation of pesticides, toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes, and toxic pollutants in water and air.

The study of the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population.

Applied science that investigates the impact of people's physical environment on their health and comfort (e.g., determining the proper chair height for computer operators).

Acronym for Environmental Tobacco Smoke. ETS is made up of the smoke emanating from the burning end of a cigarette and smoke that is inhaled by the smoker, and consists of over 4,700 compounds, including both gases and particles.

Air removed form the house through fans. Typical examples are bathroom exhaust, and kitchen hoods.

Mechanical removal of air from a portion of a building (e.g., piece of equipment, room, or general area).

The initial contact of the body with a substance.