NORMI CMA flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Spore trap sampling
- A non-viable air sampling method that collects airborne spores on a slide or filter for microscopic counting and genus-level identification, reported as concentration per cubic meter.
- Viable sampling
- Culture-based air or surface sampling that identifies living organisms to species level but undercounts stressed or non-culturable organisms and requires incubation time.
- ERMI
- Environmental Relative Moldiness Index: an MSQPCR-based comparison of 36 indicator mold species against a reference distribution, used as an index rather than a health threshold.
- Moisture meter
- An instrument that estimates moisture content in building materials; readings are relative and should be interpreted with material type and calibration in mind.
- Thermo-hygrometer
- A device that measures air temperature and relative humidity; used to document conditions that support mold growth and to verify drying progress.
- Chain of custody
- A documented record tracking sample collection, transfer, and storage to preserve sample integrity and support defensible laboratory results.
- Negative result limits
- A null sampling result only excludes contamination above the method's detection limit at the sampled location and time; it does not prove absence.
- Level I remediation
- New York City guidance tier for mold growth under 10 square feet; can be handled by trained maintenance staff with minimal containment.
- Level IV remediation
- NYC guidance tier for mold growth over 100 square feet; requires a professional remediator with full containment and negative pressure.
- Negative pressure containment
- A remediation control that keeps the work area at lower pressure than adjacent occupied spaces so air flows inward and contaminants are exhausted through HEPA filtration.
- HEPA filtration
- High-efficiency particulate air filtration that removes 99.97 percent of particles at 0.3 micrometers; standard for remediation exhaust and final cleaning.
- Porous material removal
- Drywall, insulation, and carpet with mold growth are generally removed rather than cleaned because growth penetrates the material structure.
- Post-remediation verification
- Clearance step confirming visible mold is removed, moisture is corrected, and conditions meet the project criteria; ideally performed by an independent party.
- Remediation PPE
- Personal protective equipment for mold work: at minimum an N95 respirator, eye protection, gloves, and disposable coveralls; higher tiers for larger jobs.
- Moisture source correction
- Remediation is not complete until the water intrusion or condensation causing growth is fixed; otherwise mold recurs regardless of cleaning.
- ASHRAE 62.1
- Standard setting ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality criteria for commercial buildings; 62.2 covers residential ventilation.
- Relative humidity target
- Indoor RH between 30 and 50 percent is the common target; above 60 percent supports mold and dust mite growth.
- Dust mite control
- Dust mites thrive at 70-80 percent RH and about 25°C; reducing indoor humidity below 50 percent is the primary control measure.
- Fel d 1
- The major cat allergen protein; it is measured in settled dust and air and is a common target in indoor allergen assessment.
- CO2 as ventilation proxy
- Outdoor CO2 is about 400-420 ppm; indoor levels above roughly 1,000 ppm suggest inadequate ventilation but do not measure other pollutants.
- PM2.5
- Airborne particles under 2.5 micrometers in diameter; they penetrate deep into the lung and are a focus of health-based IAQ assessment.
- MERV rating
- Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value: a filter rating indicating particle capture efficiency; higher MERV captures more fine particles in HVAC systems.
- VOC off-gassing
- Volatile organic compounds released from building materials and furnishings; testing requires recognized methods and documented sampling conditions.
- Sanitizer
- A product that reduces bacteria on surfaces to levels judged safe by public health codes; it is not the same as a disinfectant.
- Disinfectant
- A product that destroys or irreversibly inactivates specific pathogens on inanimate surfaces; efficacy claims are tied to the EPA-registered label.
- Contact time
- The time a sanitizer or disinfectant must remain wet on a surface to achieve its labeled claim; it is product-specific and must be followed.
- EPA registration number
- A number on a disinfectant label indicating the product has been reviewed for efficacy claims and lists the organisms it is registered to kill.
- Documentation elements
- Records should include date, location, method, instrument, calibration status, and results to support defensibility and continuity of care.
- Conflict of interest
- A situation where the assessor also performs remediation or benefits from findings; it should be disclosed and accepted by the client.
- Scope of practice
- Assessors identify conditions and recommend remediation; they do not diagnose illness or prescribe medical treatment for occupants.
- Informed consent
- Explaining sampling limitations, costs, and what results can and cannot prove before collecting samples, so the client can make an informed decision.
- Report uncertainties
- Reports should state methods, standards referenced, detection limits, and uncertainties; avoid absolute claims such as mold-free from a single sample.