GLOSSARY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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BEARING

That portion of a beam, truss, or other structural member which rests on the supports.


BEARING WALL

A wall that supports a vertical load.


BIOAEROSOLS

Airborne particles that are living or originate from living organisms; i.e., culturable, non-culturable and dead


BIOCIDE

Any substance that is toxic or lethal to living organisms, such as a pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide.


BIODEGRADABLE

Capable of being broken down into innocuous (harmless) products (water, carbon dioxide) by the action of enzymes


BIODETRIORATION

The deterioration of valuable materials due to biological activity. The agents of deterioration (vectors) may be insects, rodents or higher animals and plants.


BIOFILM

A matrix of micro organisms, organic and inorganic materials that combine to create a layer or ?film? on a substrate.


BIOHAZARD

A biological material that causes harm to living organisms.


BIOLOGICAL AEROSOLS

Tiny droplets containing biological contaminants (spores, bacteria or their by-products) that become airborne through human (coughing, sneezing, talking) or mechanical (HVAC) means.


BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS

Unwanted agents (disease or allergy causing) that are derived from or are living organisms (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, arthropods and mammal and bird antigens), that can be inhaled and can cause many types of bodily reactions