ANSI
Comprised of government agencies, organizations, companies, academic and international bodies and individuals, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinates the development and use of voluntary consensus standards in the United States and represents the needs and views of U.S. stakeholders in standardization forums around the globe. The Institute oversees the creation and use of norms and guidelines in nearly every business sector such as acoustical devices and energy distribution.
ASHRAE
Founded in 1894, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is an international organization dedicated to advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. The society provides research, standards writing and continuing education for its members from more than 100 nations.
Antimicrobial
An antimicrobial is a substance that kills or slows the growth of microbes such as bacteria and fungi. Antimicrobial treatments are used to help control fungi, mold, mildew, bacteria, yeast and algae. Treatment areas in ceiling panels include face and back surfaces, as well as the formulation of the materials used to create the ceiling substrate.
CHPS
The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) advocates the design of high performance schools that are energy efficient, healthy, comfortable, well-lit and contain the amenities needed for a quality education. CHPS limits formaldehyde concentration in school classrooms to 13.5 parts per billion (ppb).
OEHHA
California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) aims to protect and enhance public health and the environment by scientific evaluation of risks posed by hazardous substances. OEHHA works with federal agencies, the scientific community, industry and the general public.
Daylighting
Daylighting is the use of natural lighting to illuminate buildings. There are many daylighting techniques, the most successful being “cool” daylighting, which controls light entering into a building through techniques such as exterior shading, carefully placed windows and low-transmittance glass. Properly designed daylighting can reduce the need for electric lighting and cooling, and increase lighting comfort.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is an important industrial chemical used to make other chemicals, building materials and household products. This colorless and pungent gas is one of the more commonly occurring VOCs, as well as a naturally occurring substance. Formaldehyde can cause extreme discomfort and adverse reactions such as watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, asthma attacks, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, skin rash and severe allergic reactions. It has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
IAQ
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is the quality of the air in an indoor environment including the presence (or lack of) pollutants or odors; the design, maintenance and operation of the building's ventilation systems; moisture and humidity; and occupants' perceptions and susceptibilities.
IEQ
Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) refers to all environmental factors that affect the health and wellbeing of building occupants. IEQ includes such factors as indoor air quality (IAQ), comfort, humidity, air exchange, acoustics and lighting quality.
LEED
Developed and refined by USGBC members, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System® is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED was created to define “green building” by establishing a common standard of measurement and promote integrated, whole-building design practices.
LEED Credits
LEED provides a framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals by assigning points for certain criteria. Specific products cannot be LEED-certified because there are many contingent factors on each project that must be considered.
NIOSH
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created both the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and OSHA. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services and is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.
Off-gassing
Off-gassing is the emission of volatile chemicals at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature. Building materials such as paints, carpet, insulation, woods, laminates, and flooring can off-gas. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate sources of pollution or reduce their emissions. Increasing ventilation is typically a less cost-efficient approach, since it can increase energy cost.
OSHA
The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) was established in 1971 to ensure worker safety and health in the United States. OSHA has defined permissible exposure limits for formaldehyde and other hazardous and toxic substances.
PEL (permissible exposure limit)
PELs (permissible exposure limits) are regulatory limits on the amount or concentration of a substance. They may also contain a skin designation. PELs are set by OSHA to protect workers against the health effects of exposure to hazardous substances, and are based on an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) exposure.
Post-consumer material
Post-consumer material is a material or finished product that has served its intended use as a consumer item and has now been diverted or recovered from waste. New products can then be created partially or wholly from post-consumer material – more commonly known as recycling.
Post-industrial material
Post-industrial material is manufacturing waste or sub-standard products that have not been used. Some post-industrial materials can be reclaimed and turned into new products instead of landfill.
TWA (time-weighted average)
Time-weighted average (TWA) refers to an employee's average exposure to a substance in any eight-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week. OSHA sets PELs per TWA to protect workers against the health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
USGBC
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a coalition of leaders from all sectors of the building industry working to promote environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. USGBC members develop and continually refine the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System®, a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. USGBC also offers green building education and training.
VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids such as building materials, paints and cleaning supplies. In sufficient quantities, some VOCs can have adverse short- and long-term health effects.
