Connecticut Environmental Glossary

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AEA: Atomic Energy Act
ACAQ: Advisory Committee on Air Quality
ACCBD: Advisory Committee on Conservation of Biological Diversity
ACER: Advisory Committee on Environmental Resources
ACM: Asbestos Containing Material
ACVEN: Advisory Committee on Vehicle Emissions and Noise

Acrylic: Thermoplastic with good weather resistance, shatter resistance, and optical clarity, used for glazing.
AEE: Association for Environmental Education (Private)
AEERL: Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory

Aerobic Organism: Any organism that requires oxygen.

Aerobic Biological Oxidation: Reducing the pollution or oxygen demand of organic substances in water via a waste treatment process utilizing organisms in the presence of air or oxygen.

Aerobic Treatment: Aerobic processes include rotating biological contactors, extended aeration and trickling filtration. They are processes in which microbes decompose complex organic compounds using the liberated energy of in the presence of oxygen for reproduction and growth.
AERP: Aquatic Effects Research Program (US)
AFZ: Acronym Free Zone

Agent: Substance, force, radiation, organism, or influence that affects the body whether the effects are beneficial or injurious.

Agricultural Pollution: Substances and wastes, both liquid and solid, that leach or runoff farms. Includes animal manure and carcasses, crop residues, fertilizers, feed and erosion and dust from plowing, pesticides.
AHERA: Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
AIEO: American Indian Environmental Office
AIGER: American Industry/Government Emissions Research

Airborne Particulates: Suspended particulate matter found in the atmosphere as solid particles or as liquid droplets, i. e., windblown dust, emissions from industrial processes, smoke from the burning of wood and coal, and the exhaust of motor vehicles.

Air-leakage Rating: A measure of the rate of air-leakage around a window, door, or skylight in the presence of a specific pressure difference. The lower a window's air-leakage rating, the better its airtightness. Expressed in units of cubic feet per minute per square foot of frame area (cfm/sq ft). Formerly expressed as cubic feet per minute per foot of window perimeter length (cfm/ft) but not now in use.
AIR RISC: Air Risk Information Support Center
ALAPCO: Association Of Local Air Pollution Control Officials

Allergens: Allergens are substances that cause allergic reactions. They include pollens, dust particles, mold spores, food, latex rubber, insects, insect feces, animals or medicines.

Allergy: A specific reaction of the immune system to a seemingly harmless substance that does not bother most people. People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one substance. Many people are allergies that are undetected due to the mildness of their symptoms or lack of or lack of sophication of testing.
AMD: Acid Mine Drainage
APCD: Air Pollution Control District
API: American Petroleum Institute
APS: Atmospheric Pressure Sensor
APTIC: Air Pollution Technical Information Center
APTI: Air Pollution Training Institute
AQSSD: Air Quality Strategies And Standards Division

Aquifer: Wells are considered aquifers - they are porous geological structures below the surface carrying or holding water.
AREAL: Atomospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory

Asbestos: Mineral fiber that when inhaled can cause cancer or asbestosis. Banned or severely restricted its use in manufacturing and construction by the EPA. Cleanup of asbestos require safety gear and professinal training to assure that cleanup and disposal standards are met.

Asbestosis: Progressive disease involving scarring of lung tissue associated with chronic exposure to and inhalation of asbestos fibers, caused by that causes breathing to become progressively more difficult and can lead to death.
ASHAA: Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act
ASHARA: Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act

ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers

Aspergillosis: Group of diseases caused by Aspergillus. Aspergillosis can occur in a variety of organs, both in humans and animals. Symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain or breathlessness, which also occur in many other illnesses so diagnosis can be hard. Major forms of disease are: Non-invasive (e.g. Allergic Pulmonary Aspergillosis - ABPA. Produces an allergy to the spores of the Aspergillus molds, affects asthma, cystic fibrosis and sinusitis patients), Semi-invasive (e.g Chronic Necrotising Aspergillosis - CNPA. Grows within a cavity of the lung, which was previously damaged during an illness or lung disease which causes cavities open to developing an aspergilloma.) and Invasive (e.g. Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis - IPA. Risk increases if patient has weakened immunity such as bone marrow transplant, low white cells after cancer treatment, AIDS or major burns). Disseminated aspergillosis is a rare, acute and usually fatal infection that produces Septicemia, Thrombosis, and can affect virtually any organ, but especially the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys.

Aspergillus: Organism occurring commonly throughout the world found within indoor environments - especially in the autumn and winter in the Northern hemisphere. Certain species are harmful and cause Aspergillosis.
ATIS: Air Toxics Implementation Strategy
AVHRR: Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (instrument)
AWMA / A&WMA: Air And Waste Management Association
AWBERC: Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research


Backfill: Material used to refill an excavation, or the process of doing so.

Backwashing: Reversing the flow of water in order to clear or clean a filter

Baffle: Deflect substances - changing the flow of air, water or other matter. Baffles are used to deaden sound.
Ballasts: Ballasts are an essential part of fluorescent lamps, transforming standard voltages into the voltage needed for the lamp. Magnetic ballasts are now being phased out in favor of more energy-efficient electronic ballasts.
BAPS: Baseline Air Pollution Station

Biodegradable: Sustance or material that will degrade easily.

Biodegradability: The rate at which a substance or material can be broken down by bacteria or other environmental factors.
BIOMASS: Biological Investigations of Marine Antarctic Systems and Stocks

Biotecture: The art of combining architecture and biology with the goal of liveable sustainability in the design and structure of buildings and environments.

Blackwater: Wastewater from toilets, latrines, privies, water containing feces or body fluids and water from sinks used for food preparation or disposal of chemical or biological ingredients. See greywater.

Bloom: (1)Plants: first appearance of budding. (2) Algae: a mass of algae in a body of water often indicating presenceof pollutants

Bog: Generally poorly draining land that appears wet and spongy, highly acid and rich in plant residue. The result is lake eutrophication (nutrient pollution).

Brownfield: Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

BTU: British Thermal Unit: A measurement of heat. The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water from 63° F to 64 F.

Building-Related-Illness: Term used to describe more precisely what is popularly known as "sick building syndrome" or the indoor transmission of infectious agents. Use as a more accurate term suggests that buildings cannot truly be described as being "healthy" or "sick", that buildings do not transmit sickness.

Byssinosis: AKA: Brown Lung Disease. Chronic condition involving obstruction of the small airways, severely impairing lung function caused by dusts from hemp, flax, and cotton processing. Thousands of textile workers have been disabled by byssinosis.

CAA: Clean Air Act
CAAA: Clean Air Act Amendments
CAAAC: Clean Air Act Advisory Committee

Carbon Monoxide: Colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete fossil fuel (coal, oil, kerosene, natural or bottled gas) combustion. Termed a "chemical asphyxiant", it reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
CASAC: Clean Air Science Advisory Committee
CASTNET: EPA Clean Air Status and Trends Network
CBEP: Community Based Environmental Protection

CBS Construction: "Concrete Block and Stucco" or "Concrete Block Structure. Preferred construction method in southern climates such as southern Florida, the islands of the Carribean and Central America. CBS construction is environmentally friendly, and provides a safer home during catastrophic weather such as tornados and huricanes. CBS homes are durable, quiet and energy-efficient.
CDC: Centers For Disease Control, US Dept. Of Health And Human Services
CEIS: Center For Environmental Information And Statistics

Celsius: Metric temperature scale. Written as "C". Zero degrees C = 32 degrees F (fahrenheit) which equals the freezing point of water. The boiling point of water equals 212 F or 100 C. Conversion: (From C to F: X degrees C multiplied by 1.8 equals F). (From F to C: X degrees F multiplied by 5/9).
CEM: Continuous emissions monitoring
CEPPO: Chemical Emergency Preparedness And Prevention Office
CERI: Center for Environmental Research Information
CERL: Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory
CERN: European Organization for Nuclear Research (International)
CERN: European Laboratory for Particle Physics (International)
CES: Committee on Earth Science (International)
CFC
Chlorofluorocarbon: Synthetic chemicals that are odourless, non-toxic, non-flammable, and chemically inert. Partly responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer. In 1987, one of the first global environmental treaties, the Montreal Protocol, was established that banned the use of chemicals responsible for ozone damage, such as CFCs in aerosols and refrigerants.
CFEIS: Certification and Fuel Economy Information System
CGA: CT General Assembly
CHEM: Chemical Collection Database (accessible through OLS)
CHIEF: Clearinghouse For Inventories And Emission Factors
CIFOR: Center for International Forestry Research International)
CIS: Chemical Information Systems, Inc.
CIESIN: Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network (International)
CLC: Clean Lakes Clearinghouse
CLIM: Climate Change Database (accessible through OLS)
CLU-IN: Clean-up Information Bulletin Board System (formerly OSWER-BBS)
CMAQ: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program
CNG: Compressed natural gas
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs): CFLs use less energy than incandescent bulbs and need replacing far less often, making them a cost-effective choice. CFLs have also been used effectively to replace halogen lights in torchieres. Although early CFLs had a stark light, the color rendering of newer CFLs is equal to or superior to incandescent light bulbs, producing full-spectrum lighting.
CO: Carbon Monoxide
Cladosprium: Most frequently found genus of fungi in outdoor air in temperate climates. Indoors itis often found in dirty refrigerators, especially in reservoirs where condensation is collected, and on moist window frames as a result of condensation. Cladosporium often discolors interior paint, paper, or textiles stored under humid conditions. Houses with poor ventilation or located in damp environments may have heavy concentrations of Cladosprium. A few species of cladosprium are capable of causing disease, mostly in patients with underlying debilitating illness.
Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis: AKA: Blank Lung Disease. Caused by the inhalation of coal dust that becomes imbedded in the lungs, causing them to harden, making breathing very difficult. The most severe form of the disease involves scarring on the lungs. Alothough more common in the past during the height of coal mining, close to 400 people continue to die each year from black lung disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mortality Database CDC Wonder.).
COE: Commission on Ecology (of IUCN) (International)
COFI: Commission on Fisheries (FAO) (International)

Coliform Index: Purity of water (well-water) based on the amount of fecal bacteria.

Compost: Organic fertilizer created from decomposted garbage and pollutant-free biodegradable trash.

Concrete Block Structure: "Concrete Block and Stucco" or "Concrete Block Structure. Preferred construction method in southern climates such as southern Florida, the islands of the Carribean and Central America. CBS construction is environmentally friendly, and provides a safer home during catastrophic weather such as tornados and huricanes. CBS homes are durable, quiet and energy-efficient. [MORE ABOUT CBS HERE]

Conduction: Heat transfer through a solid material by contact of one molecule to the next. Heat flows from a higher-temperature area to a lower-temperature one.

Conductivity: The ability of a substance to conduct heat or electricity.
CORINE: Coordinated Information on the European Environment (International)

Convection: The transfer of heat energy between a solid and a fluid when their temperature differ.

Corrosion: Most alloys corrode just from the moisture in the air. Dissolving of metal is caused by a chemical reaction between water and the pipes that the water contacts, chemicals touching a metal surface, or contact between two metals. The weakening of steel due to oxidation of the iron contained in the steel is called electrochemical corrosion.
CRER: Conservation and Renewable Energy Reserve
CSI: Common Sense Initiative
CSD: Commission on Sustainable Development (of IUCN) (International)
CSIERT: CT School Indoor Environment Team: A list of contacts and resources for Connecticut Tools for Schools Committees.
CTBT: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (International)
CTE: Center For Transportation And The Environment
CTG: Control Techniques Guideline

Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM): The measure of the volume of a substance flowing through air within a fixed period of time. Used in specifications for indoor air quality to refer to the amount of air, in cubic feet, that is exchanged in a minute's time. (rate of flow)

DEC: Department of Environmental Conservation

Degree day: Unit that represents a one-degree Fahrenheit deviation from some fixed reference point (usually 65° F) in the mean, daily outdoor temperature, also referred to as "heating degree day".

Denitrification: Conversion of nitrate into nitrogen gases under anaerobic conditions, resulting in loss of nitrogen from ecosystems. The return of nitrogen from decomposed matter to the atmosphere by bacteria that change nitrates to nitrogen gas.
DEP: Deparment of Environmental Protection
DEQ: Department of Environmental Quality

Diffusion: The movement of individual molecules through a material. The movement occurs because of concentration gradients and thermal gradients, independent of airflow.
DNR: Department of Natural Resources
DNRC: Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
DOC: Department of Conservation or Department of Commerce
DOE: Department Of Energy or Department of the Environment
DOEM: Designated Officials for Environmental Matters
DOI: Department of the Interior
DOT: Department Of Transportation

Double Glazing: Two thicknesses of glass separated by an air space within an opening to improve insulation against heat transfer and/or sound transmission. In factory-made double glazing units, the air between the glass sheets is thoroughly dried and the space is sealed airtight, eliminating possible condensation and providing superior insulating properties.
DPH: CT Department of Public Health: DPH provides a "comprehensive network of public health services, and is a partner to local health departments for which it provides advocacy, training and certification, technical assistance and consultation, and specialty services such as risk assessment that are not available at the local level."

Drainage Planes: Water repellent materials (building paper, housewrap, foam insulation, etc.) usually located behind the cladding. Designed and constructed to drain water that passes through the cladding. Interconnected with flashings, window and door openings, and other penetrations of the building enclosure to provide drainage of water to the exterior of the building. The materials that form the drainage plane overlap each other shingle fashion or are sealed so that water drains down and out of the assembly. The drainage plane is also referred to as the "water resistant barrier" or WRB.

Ducts, Ducting: A system of shafts or tubes designed to allow for the circulation of air (hot air heating systems) or designed to carry and protect cables or pipes. In most residencces, ducting is enclosed and inaccessible in living areas, but may be accessible in basement or attic spaces


Earthship: A passive solar home made of natural and recycled materials which takes advantage of a thermal mass construction for temperature stabilization that utilizes renewable energy sources & integrated water systems - and attempts to have the capability to exist outside the commercial or government energy & water sources.
ECAO: Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office
ECB: Environment Coordination Board (UN) (International)
ECO: Environmental Careers Organization
ECOS: Environmental Council Of The States
ECS: Education Cost Sharing
EDSS: Environmental Decision Support System
EE: Environmental Education
EG: Emission Guideline
EGE: Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
EHS: Environmental Health Standards
EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment
EIIP: Emission Inventory Improvement Program
EIS: Environmental Impact Statement
EJ: Environmental Justice
ELC: Environmental Law Center (of IUCN) (International)

Electromagnetic spectrum: Radiant energy over a broad range of wavelengths.
EM: Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management
EMAD: Emissions, Monitoring, And Analysis Division
EMC: Emission Measurement Center
EMAP: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
EMMC: Environmental Monitoring Management Council
EMP: Environmental Management Plan
EMSL: Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
EMTIC: Emission Measurement Technical Information Center
EMU: Economic and Monetary Union (EC) (International)
Endemic Fungus: Fungi able to produce an infection of tissue in healthy individuals. These fungi are sp strong that they do not need help breaching the host's immune defenses. Include: Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Blastomyces, and Sporothrix.

EPA: The Environmental Protection Agency leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts: develops and enforces regulations; offers financial assistance to States, non-profits and educational institutions to support high-quality research that will improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues; performs environmental research; sets voluntary pollution-management goals such as conserving water and energy, minimizing greenhouse gases, slashing toxic emissions, re-using solid waste, controlling indoor air pollution, and getting a handle on pesticide risks; advances educational efforts to develop an environmentally conscious and responsible public, and to inspire personal responsibility in caring for the environment; and publishes written materials to assist these efforts.
EPCRA: Emergency Planning And Community Right-to-know Act

Equivalent Leakage Area (EqLA or ELA): Quantitative expression of the airtightness of a building enclosure. EqLA is the method set by the Canadian General Standards Board in which a blower door depressurizes the building enclosure to 10 Pascals and the leakiness of the enclosure is expressed as a summary hole in square inches. ELA is set by the ASTM equivalent procedure at a pressure differential of 4 Pascals.
EQO: Environmental Quality Objective

Equivalent Leakage Area (EqLA or ELA): Quantitative expression of the airtightness of a building enclosure. EqLA is the method set by the Canadian General Standards Board in which a blower door depressurizes the building enclosure to 10 Pascals and the leakiness of the enclosure is expressed as a summary hole in square inches. ELA is set by the ASTM equivalent procedure at a pressure differential of 4 Pascals.
ERAMS: Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System
ERC: Environmental Research Consortium
ERD: Environmental Radiation Data
EROS: Earth Resources Observation System (of USGS)
ESD: Emission Standards Division
ESDB: Endangered Species Database/ReachScanlink
ESDD: Earth Systems Science Committee (International)
ESF: European Science Foundation (International)
ES&H: Environment, Safety and Health
ESSC: Earth Systems Science Committee (International)

Eutrophication: Natural eutrophication is the process by which lakes gradually age and become more nutrient rich. It normally takes thousands of years to progress. However, humans, through their various cultural activities, have greatly accelerated this process in thousands of lakes around the globe creating nutrient pollution from runoff from agricultural fields, field lots, urban lawns, golf courses, and untreated, or partially-treated, domestic sewage. Sewage was a particular source of phosphorus to lakes when detergents contained large amounts of phosphates. The phosphates acted as water softeners to improve the cleaning action, but they also proved to be powerful stimulants to algal growth when they were washed or flushed into lakes. These "algae blooms" lead to changes the water quality in a lake - bringing oxygen depletion and resultant fish kills. (See BOG)
ETS: Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Evapotranspiration: The combination of water that is evaporated and transpired by plants as a part of their metabolic processes. Reference evapotranspiration is the amount of water needed for plant growth in a year of average weather.

FDA: Food and Drug Administration

Feng Shui: Feng shui ("fung shway") is an intuitive art art form employed by decorators and architects to create harmony and balance in the living environment.
FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Fiber Optics: Fiber optics carry light around bends and corners with little loss in brightness. They can distribute light throughout a building from a central lighting source.
FIFRA: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, And Rodenticide Act: Primary focus is to provide federal control of pesticide distribution, sale, and use. EPA was given authority under FIFRA to study the consequences of pesticide usage and to require users (farmers, utility companies, and others) to register when purchasing pesticides. Through later amendments, users also must take exams for certification as applicators of pesticides. All pesticides used in the U.S. must be registered (licensed) by EPA. Registration assures that pesticides will be properly labeled and that if in accordance with specifications, will not cause unreasonable harm to the environment. epa.gov

Fungi: Fungi are plant-like organisms that lack chlorophyll.

GBERL: Gulf Breeze Environmental Research Laboratory
GCDIS: Global Change Data and Information System
GCRP: Global Change Research Program (International)
GCTE: Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems (International)
GDF: Geographic Data File (GIS)

Geodesic: Latin - meaning "earth dividing" - a geodesic line is the shortest distance between any two points on a sphere.

Geodesic Dome: R. Buckminster Fuller was the creator for the sphere-like structure called a geodesic dome. The dome is composed of a complex network of triangles that form a framework that is self-bracing and provides structural strength with a minimum of material. Geodesic domes are efficient, can be built low-cost and are durable. Geodesic domes are used for emergency shelters, weather stations and mobile military housing.
GIS: Geographical Information System
GPS: Global Positioning System
GRCDA: Governmental Refuse Collection and Disposal Association

Greenhouse window: Three-dimensional window that projects from the exterior wall and usually has glazing on all sides except the bottom, which serves as a shelf.

Greywater: Wastewater from clothes washing machines, showers, bathtubs, hand washing , lavatories and sinks. See blackwater.
GWTR: Ground Water Treatment Rule
GWUI: Ground Water Under the Influence (of surface water)
GWP: Global Warming Potential

H2O2: Hydrogen peroxide
HADs: Health Assessment Documents
HAP: Hazardous Air Pollutant
HAZW: Hazardous Waste Collection Database (accessible through OLS)
HAZOPS: Hazardous Operations
HC: Hydrocarbon
HCHO: Formaldehyde
HCFC: Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
HEAS: Health Effects Assessment

Heat-absorbing glass: Window glass containing chemicals with gray, bronze, or blue-green tint that absorb light and heat radiation, and reduce glare and brightness. Also called "tinted glass"
HEEDs: Health and Environmental Effects Documents
HEEPs: Health and Environmental Effects Profiles
HEPA: High-efficiency Particulate Air (filters)
HERL: Health Effects Research Laboratory
HESG: Health Effects And Standards Group
HFC: Hydrofluorocarbon
HNO3: Nitric acid

Housewrap: Any of the numerous spun-fiber polyolefin rolled sheet goods, or perforated plastic films designed to function as drainage planes.
HSWA: Hazardous and Solid Waste Act

HVAC: A system that provides heating, ventilating, and/or cooling within or associated with a building.
HWSFC: Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection
HWSFD: Hazardous Waste Superfund Database
HWDMS: Hazardous Waste Data Management System (now known as RCRIS)
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Results from repeated exposure to fungus spores from moldy hay, bird droppings, or other organic dusts that causes the air sacs of the lungs to become inflamed; parts of the lungs may then develop fibrous scar tissue and cease to function normally in breathing. Deaths from hypersensitivity pneumonitis have been generally increasing (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report. December 2002.).

IAQ: Indoor Air Quality
IAQINFO: Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse

IBC: International Building Code: most widely adopted building code in the US. The International Code Council develops the IBC and other International Codes. When referenced in local, state or federal legislation, the International Building Code becomes the minimum requirement for construction. A jurisdiction either uses the code as is or amends it to fit specific needs of the community.

ICC: International Code Council is a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. ICC publishes model codes for adoption by states and other agencies. Codes include the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
ICOLP: Industry Cooperative for Ozone Layer Protection

IECC: International Energy Conservation Code published by the ICC. Successor to the Model Energy Code, which is cited in the 1992 U.S. Energy Policy Act (EPAct) as the baseline for residential Energy Codes in the United States.
IEQ: Indoor Environmental Quality
IAQ Tools for Schools Kit: This kit shows schools how to carry out a practical plan of action to improve indoor air problems at little or no cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The Kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan. The voluntary guidance can save schools time and money so that resources can be directed toward educating children

Indoor Air: Air in a conditioned space.

Insulating glass: Two or more pieces of glass spaced apart and hermetically sealed to form a single glazed unit with one or more air spaces in between. See double glazing.

Insulating Sheathing: Non-structural insulating board products with varying R-values and a wide variation in vapor permeability and drainage characteristics. Materials include expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyisocyanurate (most often foil-faced), rigid fiberglass, and mineral wool.

Insulating Value: See U-factor.
IRAA: Indoor Radon Abatement Act


Jalousie: Window made up of horizontally-mounted louvered glass slats that abut each other tightly when closed and rotate outward when cranked open.


Krypton: An inert, nontoxic gas used in insulating windows to reduce heat transfer with symbol Kr and atomic number 36, (or . . . a fictional planet. In comic books, it is the birthplace of the superhero Superman).

LAER: Lowest Achievable Emission Rate

Leach Field: Porous soiled area with lines from the septic tank running through it. Treated liquid waste is forced from the tank and percolates down through the soil.
LEDs: LEDs are low-energy light sources that can save energy in such applications as flat-panel displays, exit signs, and traffic lights.
LERAM: Littoral Ecosystem Risk Assessment Model
Lighting Controls: Controls such as photosensors, occupancy sensors and timers save energy by turning lights off when they are not needed. This approach is particularly effective for security lighting and lighting in infrequently used rooms. Dimmers also save energy by allowing building occupants to adjust the light output to suit their needs.
LMAQR: Lake Michigan air quality region
LMOS: Lake Michigan Ozone Study

Low E windows: Low E & Argon Gas form insulating glass units that reflect heat back into the room and increase energy-saving efficiency by stopping heat loss through the window in the winter and re-radiated solar heat from entering your home in the summer. Special coatings reduce direct summer sun rays and block fabric-fading ultraviolet rays.
LPG: Liquefied petroleum gas
LRTAP: Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution

MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLGs: Maximum Contaminant Level Goals
MINTEQA2: Metal Speciation for Equilibrium for Surface and Ground Water
MDI: Metered Dose Inhaler
Mesothelioma: Cancer of the chest lining caused by asbestos exposure. By the year 2030 there are estimates that asbestos will have caused 60,000 instances of mesothelioma that result in death. (Nicholson, W. J., G. Perkel, et al. Occupational exposure to asbestos: population at risk and projected mortality--1980-2030. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 1982. Vol. 3(3); 259-311.)

Mold: Simple, microscopic organisms found on plants, dry leaves, and on just about every other organic material. There are a variety of molds in the natural environment. Outside, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. While there are many types of mold, none of them will grow without water or moisture. See Mold Sreening & Inspections

Mold-Neutral: At time of testing, indoor mold spore counts are not significantly higher than outdoor mold spore counts. (The outdoor sample establishes a baseline for comparative evaluation of the indoor air samples.) Because there are no federal standards for mold spore count levels in residences, schools, or other buildings, the mold inspection industry guidelines are derived from NYC (New York City) standards and the ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists).
MPRSA: Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act
MQAG: Monitoring And Quality Assurance Group
MSW: Municipal Solid Waste
MSWLF: Municipal Solid Waste Landfill
MTBE: Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
MVAC: Motor Vehicle Air Conditioner
MWC: Municipal Waste Combustor
MWI: Medical Waste Incineration

NAAQS: National Ambient Air Quality Standard
NADB: National Air Data Branch
NAFTP: National Alternative Fuels Training Program
NAPAP: National Acidic Precipitation Assessment Program
NAPCA: National Air Pollution Control Administration
NAPIS: National Agricultural Pest Information System
NAREL: National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory
NARL: National Air and Radiation Laboratory
NARSTO: North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone
NATS: NOx Allowance Tracking System
NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act
NESC: National Environmental Supercomputing Center
NESHAP: National Emission Standard For Hazardous Air Pollutants
NGV: Non-gasoline Vehicle
NIEHS: National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences
NIH: National Institutes Of Health
NIST: National Institute Of Standards And Technology
NOAA: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration
NOx: Oxides Of Nitrogen
NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide
NPDES: National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
NPDWR: National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
NPIRS: National Pesticide Information Retrieval System
NPTN: National Pesticide Telecommunications Network
NRDC: Natural Resources Defense Council
NSCEP: National Service Center for Environmental Publications maintains and distributes EPA publications in hardcopy, CD ROM and other multi-media formats. The current publication inventory includes over 7,000 titles. NSCEP also develops and distributes the annual EPA National Publications Catalog.
NTI: National Toxics Inventory
NVFEL: National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
NWS: National Weather Service

OAQPS: Office Of Air Quality Planning And Standards
OAQPSTTN: Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Technology Transfer Network
OAR: Office Of Air And Radiation
Occupational Asthma: As the most common from of occupational lung disease, it is estimated that 15% to 23% of new onset adult asthma cases in the US are due to occupational exposures.
Occupational Lung Disease: Number one work-related illness in the United States based on the frequency, severity, and preventability of diseases (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report. December 2002.) Usually caused by extended exposure to irritating or toxic substances that may cause acute or chronic respiratory ailments, although severe single exposures can cause chronic lung disease. The most common occupational lung diseases include: Occupational lung cancer, Occupational asthma, Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Byssinosis (brown lung disease), Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung disease), Silicosis, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Occupational Lung Cancer: The most frequent occupational cancer includes cancer of the lung, trachea and bronchus.
ODS: Ozone-Depleting Substance
ODP: Ozone Depletion Potential
OER: Office of Environmental Restoration
OERR: Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
OHEA: Office of Health and Environmental Assessments
OHM/TADS: Oil and Hazardous Substances Technical Assistance Data System
OHS MSDS: Occupational Health Services Material Safety Data Sheets
OMP: Ozone Mapping Project
OPEC: Organization Of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Opportunistic Fungus: This type of fungus produces disease in the tissue only when the host defenses are weakened, such as a breakdown of the immune system or the skin barrier or someone who has been taking high doses of steroids for prolonged periods of time. Aspergillus is an example of an opportunstic pathegen found almost everywhere. These fungi are often found in mold contaminated buildings. Alternaria can produce sinusitis or nail infections.
OPP: Office of Pesticide Programs
OPPT: Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
OPPTS: Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances
ORIA / OAR: Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
OSHA: Occupational Safety And Health Act or Administration
OSWER: Office Of Solid Waste And Emergency Response
OTAG: Ozone Transport Assessment Group
OTAQ: Office of Transportation and Air Quality
OTC: Ozone Transport Commission

Outdoor Air: Air outside the building. It can enter the conditioned space via the ventilation system, or by infiltration through holes in the pressure boundary or designed ventilation openings.
O3: Ozone
OWPD: Office of Waste Programs Enforcement

P2: Pollution Prevention
P4: Pollution Prevention Permitting Project
Penicillium: Common occurrence of in foods. Some species produce toxins and may render food inedible or even dangerous. Some species are safe to eat and used to ripen cheeses such as Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, Stilton. The drug penicillin is produced by Penicillium chrysogenum, a commonly occurring mould in most homes.

Percolation Test: Soil test to determine if the soil can absorb and drain water adequately for the use of a septic system for sewage disposal.
PFC: Perfluorocarbon
PIN: Pesticide Information Network
PIRG: Public Interest Research Group
PM: Particulate Matter
PNGV: Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles
POM: Polycyclic Organic Matter
POP: Persistent Organic Pollutant
PSI: Pollutant Standard Index

QUAL2E: Enhanced Stream Water Quality Model


Radon: Radon is a gaseous radioactive element (Rn). Itt is an extremely toxic, colorless gas; it can be condensed to a transparent liquid and to an opaque, glowing solid; it is derived from the radioactive decay of radium. Radon may be found in the earth and in rock beneath home, well water and building materials. There are no known immediate symptoms. Based on an updated Assessment of Risk for Radon in Homes, radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Smokers are at higher risk of developing Radon-induced lung cancer. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer would usually occur years (5-25) after exposure. There is no evidence that other respiratory diseases, such as asthma, are caused by radon exposure and there is no evidence that children are at any greater risk of radon induced lung cancer than adults. cite: http://www.epa.gov/radon/

Radon Certified Professionals: Individuals holding a Residential Measurement Provider for Standard and Analytical Services have demonstrated knowledge of U.S. EPA radon measurement protocols for the placement and retrieval of radon measurement devices. They have also demonstrated knowledge of the proper interpretation of results obtained in residential settings. Furthermore, these individuals possess and analyze radon measurement devices. Depending upon the specific device, this may allow for rapid provision of test results. The testing professional may also be able to characterize trends in radon concentration and determine unusual conditions arising from such influences as weather changes or occupant tampering of a test. See Radon Services
RAMP: Regional Air Management Partnership
RCRA: Resource Conservation And Recovery Act
REAG: Risk And Exposure Assessment Group
Reflectors: Reflectors form the backing of fluorescent fixtures and other lamps. Improved reflectors for fluorescent fixtures can light an area better using fewer lamps.
RFG: Reformulated Gasoline is gasoline blended to burn cleaner and reduce smog-forming and toxic pollutants in the air we breathe. The Clean Air Act requires that RFG be used in cities with the worst smog pollution to reduce harmful emissions of ozone. EPA
RIA: Regulatory Impact Analysis
RQCAR: Reportable Quantities for Carcinogens in Hazardous Waste
RQTOX: Reportable Quantities for Chronically Toxic Hazardous Substances
RRTC: Regional Radon Training Center
RTG: Random Team Generator

RUCK Accordion System
	Cost effective, treatment-based upgrade from conventional stone and other leach field systems. The Accordion system is based upon proven enhancements. Evapotranspiration, oxygen transfer, biotextile prefiltration and controlled soil loading. The RUCK Accordion leach fields are designed to operate indefinitely (most systems have a half life of 25 years). The soil directly below the sand and accordion module develops only a minor secondary biomat layer. The result is a greater long term infiltration capacity. Photos courtesy RUCK SYSTEMS®


SDE: State Department of Education: State of Connecticut web site
SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act

Sick Building Syndrome: Indoor transmission of infectious agents. Chemical(s) or other material(s) found in the interior environment are causing the symptoms of illness or allergy in the buildings occupants or in those who spent significant time in the building regularly or who are exposed to on a one-time basis to a particularly potent or poisonous element. Also see building-related illness
Silicosis: Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation
SITE: Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation
SNAP: Significant New Alternatives Policy
SOCMI: Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry
SODAR: Sound detection and ranging
SOILVENT: Soil Venting Model
SMCL: Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level
SSARA: Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act

Stachybotrys: Stachybotrys chartarum is a fungus that has become notorious as a mycotoxin producer that can cause animal and human mycotoxicosis. Stachybotrys is a greenish-black mold that grows well on materials with a high cellulose content such as wall studs, dry wall, and ceiling tiles that are exposed to water and excessive humidity. Evidence has accumulated implicating this fungus as a serious problem in homes and buildings and one of the causes of the "sick building syndrome.". [More on Stachybotrys]
STAPPA: State And Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators
SUWLLRWC: Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission
Sulfur Lamps: Sulfur lamps are bright, long-lasting, energy-efficient light sources that are effective in commercial and industrial buildings.
SWAG: Simulated Waste Access to Ground Water
SWANA: Solid Waste Association of North America
SWDA: Solid Waste Disposal Act
SWMM: Storm Water Management Model
SWTR: Surface Water Treatment Rule

Task Lighting: Lighting is more efficient when it is applied directly to a task (for instance, a bright light over a desk) rather than illuminating the entire room at the same lighting level.
TCLP: Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure
TENORM: Technologically-Enhanced Naturally-Occurring Radioactive
TfS: EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program: Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critically important aspect of creating and maintaining school facilities. The IAQ TfS program teaches schools how to identify, resolve, and prevent IAQ problems through low and no-cost measures. The program explains IAQ management, facility planning and maintenance, financing, communications, and emergency response. An IAQ Tools for Schools Kit also includes easy-to-use checklists for all school personnel, sample management plans, and a unique indoor air problem-solving wheel.

Thermal Boundary: The layer in a building enclosure that controls the transfer of energy (heat) between the interior and the exterior. It is a component of the building enclosure and it may, but does not have to align with the pressure boundary.
TRAQ: Transportation Air Quality Center
TRI: Toxic Release Inventory
TRIM: Total Risk Integrated Methodology
TSCA: Toxic Substances Control Act
TTN: Technology Transfer Network
TVA: Tennessee Valley Authority

UATS: Urban Air Toxics Strategy
UATW: Unified Air Toxics Web Site

U-factor: Quantitative measure of heat flow or conductivity, the reciprocal of R-value. While R-values are used for measures of the resistance to heat flow for individual building materials, U-factor is always used as a summary measure for the conductive energy measure of building enclosures.
UMTRCA: Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act

Under-floor Crawl Space: The area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground and the underside of the floor.

Underlayment: Secondary roofing layer that is waterproof or water-resistant installed on the roof deck and beneath shingles or other roof-finishing layer.
UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme
USDA: US Department Of Agriculture
USDW: Underground Source of Drinking Water
USGS: U.S. Geological Survey
UST: Underground Storage Tank
UST-ID: Underground Storage Tank Integrated Demonstration
UV: ultraviolet radiation

VAC3D: See SOILVENT

Vapor Barrier: A vapor barrier is a Class I vapor retarder. Vapor barriers are materials that are vapor impermeable.

Vapor Permeable: Materials with a permeance of greater than 10 perms such as housewraps and building papers. Vapor Semi-Impermeable: Materials with a permeance of 1.0 perm or less and greater than 0.1 perm are said to be "semi-impermeable". Those materials with a permeance of 10 perms or less and greater than 1.0 perm are said to be "semi-permeable"

Vapor Retarder: Element designed and installed in an assembly to retard the movement of water by vapor diffusion. There are several classes of vapor retarders: Class I vapor retarder 0.1 perm or less, Class II vapor retarder 1.0 perm or less and greater than 0.1 perm, Class III vapor retarder 10 perms or less and greater than 1.0 perm
VAPUCCI: Vatavuk Air Pollution Control Cost Index
VATD: Virtual Air Toxics Division
VEPG: Visibility And Ecosystem Protection Group
VOC: Volatile Organic Compound

Voltage: A measure of electrical potential. To arrive at the voltage, divide watts by amps. Most residences are wired with 110 and 220-volt lines. 110-volt power is used for lighting and most of the other circuits. 220-volt circuits are for appliances such as a stove or clothes dryer.

WASP4: Water Analysis Simulation Program

Water Heating Devices: There are a wide variety of residential electric water heaters that range in capacity from fifteen to one hundred gallons. They can be expected to last at least as long as their warranty, or from five to eight years, but they will generally last longer. However, few of them last longer than fifteen or twenty years and many eventually leak. So it is wise to have them installed over a drain pan, and preferably plumbed to the exterior. Also, they can be dangerous if they are not seismically secured and equipped with a pressure/temperature relief valve and discharge pipe plumbed to the exterior.

Water Resistant Barrier (WRB): Building paper, housewrap, foam insulation, etc. designed to be water repellent and usually located behind the cladding. Designed and constructed to drain water that passes through the cladding and interconnected with flashings, window and door openings, and other penetrations of the building enclosure to provide drainage of water to the exterior of the building. These materials that form the water resistant barrier overlap each other shingle fashion or are sealed so that water drains down and out of the assembly.
WQP: Water Quality Parameters
WQS: Water Quality Standard
WSM: Watershed Model
WTIE: Wastewater Treatment and Information Exchange
WWT: Wastewater Treatment


Xeriscaping: Climate-tuned landscaping that minimizes outdoor water use while maintaining soil integrity and building aesthetics. Typically includes emphasis on native plantings, mulching, and no/or/limited drip/subsurface irrigation.


Zero Energy House: Any house that averages out to net zero energy consumption. A zero energy home can supply more than its needs during peak demand, typically using one or more solar energy strategies, energy storage and/or net metering. In a zero energy home, efficiencies in the building enclosure and HVAC are great enough that plug loads tend to dominate and so these homes must have the added focus of high efficiency appliances and lighting.

Zoning: Town, county or state regulations that specify the limitations on the use of property. Generally, towns set aside certain parcels of land designed to be developed for strictly industrial or commercial use to avoid mixing residential properties with properties dedicated for dangerous or heavy-use. Downtown often carry strict zoning, as do area surrounding schools.

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Connecticut Environmental Glossary