NORMI CMA key terms

A microscopic reproductive cell released by fungi that can become airborne, settle on damp surfaces, and grow into new colonies when moisture and nutrients are available.

The branching network of threadlike fungal filaments that grows through building materials and releases spores; its presence often signals hidden amplification rather than surface dust alone.

Active fungal growth on or inside a material, producing spores and metabolic byproducts in quantities beyond normal background levels found in outdoor air.

Systematic measurement of moisture content and humidity across building assemblies using meters and sensors to locate water sources and define the extent of affected materials.

The percentage of water held within a material such as wood or gypsum, measured with a pin or pinless meter and compared against dry reference readings for that material.

The stable moisture level a material reaches when it stops gaining or losing water to surrounding air at a given temperature and relative humidity.

Use of an infrared camera to reveal temperature differences that may indicate concealed moisture, air leakage, or missing insulation behind finished surfaces.

Air sampling that draws a known volume of air onto a slide or cassette so spores can be counted and identified microscopically, giving a snapshot of airborne concentrations.

Air or surface sampling that collects organisms able to grow on culture media, so results reflect living fungi rather than total spore counts including dead or non-culturable particles.

Collection of dust from surfaces such as floors, sills, or HVAC components to identify spores and debris that have accumulated over time rather than at one instant.

A calibrated device that pulls air through a collection medium at a set flow rate so the sampled volume, and therefore concentration, can be calculated accurately.

Classification of water by contamination level: Category 1 is clean and sanitary, Category 2 contains significant contamination, and Category 3 is grossly contaminated and may carry pathogens.

A building material that absorbs water into its structure, such as carpet, ceiling tile, or insulation, and generally cannot be reliably cleaned once contaminated by mold growth.

Physical barriers and negative pressure used to keep spores and dust inside a work area, protecting occupants and clean spaces from cross-contamination during remediation.

A pressure differential that makes air flow into a work area from surrounding spaces, preventing contaminated air from escaping when exhaust is filtered properly.

Removal of particles from air by a filter rated to capture at least 99.97 percent of particles at 0.3 micrometers, used in vacuuming, air scrubbers, and exhaust from containment.

A vacuum equipped with high-efficiency filtration so collected spores and dust are retained rather than exhausted back into the air during cleanup.

Physically eliminating mold growth and contaminated materials rather than masking or sealing them, because dead spores and fragments can still cause reactions.

A chemical agent that kills or inhibits microorganisms; it may reduce surface organisms but does not remove spores, allergens, or contamination from porous materials.

A product applied to a surface to inhibit microbial growth; it is not a substitute for drying, cleaning, and removing the moisture source that allowed growth.

A measured difference in air pressure between two spaces, used to verify that containment is under negative pressure and that filtration equipment is working.

The amount of water vapor in air expressed as a percentage of the maximum the air could hold at that temperature; sustained high values support mold growth indoors.

The temperature at which air becomes saturated and water condenses on cooler surfaces, a key cause of hidden moisture on ducts, walls, and windows.

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment that can spread spores and dust through a building if coils, drain pans, filters, or ducts become contaminated or wet.

A material or location where contaminants accumulate and can be released into air, such as contaminated dust, carpet, insulation, or an uncleaned HVAC component.

A substance such as mold spores, dust mite debris, or pet dander that triggers an immune response in sensitized people, often causing sneezing, wheezing, or skin reactions.

An environmental exposure, including mold spores, dust, or chemical irritants, that can provoke or worsen asthma symptoms in susceptible occupants.

A carbon-based chemical that evaporates at room temperature; microbial growth and many building products release these compounds, which can cause odors and irritation.

An odorous gas produced by actively growing microorganisms, sometimes described as musty, that can indicate hidden growth even when visible mold is absent.

Reducing microorganisms on a surface to levels considered safe by public health standards, which is less complete than disinfection and does not remove spores or debris.

Destroying or inactivating most recognized pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces, though some spores may survive; it does not replace cleaning and removal of contamination.

Checking and adjusting an instrument against a known reference so measurements such as flow rate, humidity, or moisture content are accurate and defensible.

A documented record of who collected, handled, transported, and stored each sample, preserving its integrity and admissibility for interpreting results.

A written description of the tasks, areas, methods, and performance criteria for a project, defining what the contractor will and will not do.

Inspection and testing after cleanup to confirm that contamination has been removed and the work area meets agreed criteria before containment is removed.

A situation where professional judgment could be influenced by financial or personal interests, such as a remediator also performing the clearance assessment on the same project.

An outdoor or unaffected indoor sample collected for comparison so results from a suspect area can be judged against normal local conditions.