ASTM E2114-23

Standard Terminology for Sustainability

SCOPE
1.1 This terminology2 consists of terms and definitions pertaining to sustainability.  
1.2 The purpose of this terminology is to provide meanings and explanations of terms applicable to sustainability. In the interest of common understanding and standardization, consistent word usage is encouraged to help eliminate the major barrier to effective technical communication.  
1.3 It is recommended that terms used only within an individual standard, and having a meaning unique to that standard, be defined or explained in the terminology section of that individual standard.  
1.4 Certain standard definitions herein are adopted from other sources. Each is an exact copy. The source is identified at the right margin following the definition and is listed in Section 2.  
1.5 Terms are listed in alphabetical sequence. Compound terms appear in the natural spoken order.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2023
• ICS: 01.040.91 - Construction materials and building (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 91.040.01 - Buildings in general
• Technical Committee: E60 - Sustainability
• Drafting Committee: E60.21 - Terminology

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1356-20a - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1356-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM E2921-16 - Standard Practice for Minimum Criteria for Comparing Whole Building Life Cycle Assessments for Use with Building Codes, Standards, and Rating Systems
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Refers: ASTM D1356-15a - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1356-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM E631-15 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1356-14b - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM E631-14 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1356-14a - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1356-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2014
• Refers: ASTM E2921-13 - Standard Practice for Minimum Criteria for Comparing Whole Building Life Cycle Assessments for Use with Building Codes and Rating Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2013
• Refers: ASTM E1705-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Biotechnology
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM E833-13b - Standard Terminology of Building Economics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM E833-13a - Standard Terminology of Building Economics
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM E833-13 - Standard Terminology of Building Economics
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013

Overview

ASTM E2114-23: Standard Terminology for Sustainability is an international standard developed by ASTM that defines key terms related to sustainability and sustainable development, with particular focus on building performance and related environmental concepts. The standard’s primary goal is to facilitate clear, consistent technical communication by providing widely recognized definitions for sustainability terminology. This standard aids professionals, organizations, and regulatory bodies in adopting a unified language, thus improving understanding and collaboration within sustainability-focused fields.

Key Topics

ASTM E2114-23 covers a comprehensive range of sustainability-related terminology, emphasizing the importance of precise meanings and usage. Key topics include:

• Sustainability and Sustainable Development: Clear definitions of sustainability, sustainable development, and related ecosystem functions for future generations.
• Building Performance: Terms covering building operation, performance assessment, green buildings, and sustainable buildings.
• Environmental Concepts: Definitions for environmental impact, ecological indicators, life-cycle assessment (LCA), life-cycle cost (LCC), and resource management.
• Materials and Resources: Explanations of terms such as renewable resources, non-renewable resources, recycled content, recovered materials, and embodied energy.
• Pollution and Indoor Environment: Detailed terminology for point and non-point pollution sources, indoor air quality (IAQ), indoor environmental quality (IEQ), and related health impacts such as sick building syndrome (SBS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).
• Ecosystem and Biodiversity: Definitions for biodiversity, native and invasive species, habitat, carrying capacity, and conservation practices.
• Energy and Waste Management: Terms on renewable energy, biomass, cogeneration, waste to energy, composting, and rainwater harvesting.

Applications

ASTM E2114-23 serves as a foundational reference for various sectors involved in sustainability, particularly in the built environment. Its applications include:

• Building Design and Construction: Professionals use this standard to specify and document project requirements related to sustainable materials, green building design, and environmental impact.
• Regulatory Compliance: Authorities and certifying bodies reference standardized terminology when developing sustainability codes, standards, and rating systems.
• Environmental Assessment and Reporting: Used in preparing sustainability reports, life-cycle assessments, and environmental product declarations where clear definitions are critical for comparability.
• Education and Training: Institutions and training providers rely on standardized terms to educate students and professionals on sustainability concepts, supporting consistent learning outcomes.
• Communication Across Disciplines: Enhances mutual understanding among architects, engineers, regulatory officials, facility managers, and stakeholders engaged in sustainable development initiatives.

Related Standards

ASTM E2114-23 references and complements several key standards and frameworks, ensuring alignment with international best practices:

• ASTM D1356: Terminology relating to sampling and analysis of atmospheres
• ASTM E631: Terminology of building constructions
• ASTM E833: Terminology of building economics
• ASTM E1705: Terminology relating to biotechnology
• ASTM E2921: Practice for minimum criteria for comparing whole building life cycle assessments
• ISO 14040: Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Principles and framework

By referencing ASTM E2114-23, organizations ensure consistency in their sustainability communication, align projects with global best practices, and support effective sustainable development and building performance evaluation. The use of standardized sustainability terminology helps eliminate ambiguity, streamlines collaboration, and supports informed decision-making across the construction, environmental, and regulatory sectors.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2114 − 23
Standard Terminology for
Sustainability
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2114; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-
ronmental Fate (Withdrawn 2023)
1.1 This terminology consists of terms and definitions
E1705 Terminology Relating to Biotechnology
pertaining to sustainability.
E2921 Practice for Minimum Criteria for Comparing Whole
1.2 The purpose of this terminology is to provide meanings
Building Life Cycle Assessments for Use with Building
and explanations of terms applicable to sustainability. In the
Codes, Standards, and Rating Systems
interest of common understanding and standardization, consis-
2.2 ISO Standard:
tent word usage is encouraged to help eliminate the major
ISO 14040 Environmental management — Life cycle as-
barrier to effective technical communication.
sessment — Principles and framework
1.3 It is recommended that terms used only within an
3. Terminology
individual standard, and having a meaning unique to that
standard, be defined or explained in the terminology section of
3.1 Definitions:
that individual standard.
alternative agricultural products, n—bio-based industrial
products (non-food, non-feed) manufactured from agricul-
1.4 Certain standard definitions herein are adopted from
tural materials and animal by-products.
other sources. Each is an exact copy. The source is identified at
the right margin following the definition and is listed in Section
alternative energy, n—see renewable energy.
2.
bioaccumulation, n—the net accumulation of a substance by
1.5 Terms are listed in alphabetical sequence. Compound
an organism as a result of uptake from all environmental
terms appear in the natural spoken order.
sources. (E943)
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
biobased products, n—products fabricated from alternative
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
agricultural materials and forestry materials, or both.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
biodegradable, adj—capable of decomposing under natural
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
conditions into elements found in nature.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
biodiversity, n—the variability among living organisms from
all sources including: terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic
2. Referenced Documents
ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are
2.1 ASTM Standards:
a part; this includes diversity within species, between
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
species, and of ecosystems.
Atmospheres
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
biological control agents, n—living organisms used to elimi-
E833 Terminology of Building Economics nate or regulate the population of other living organisms.
biological diversity, n—see biodiversity.
biomagnification, n—the increase in tissue concentration of
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E60 on
Sustainability and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E60.21 on Termi-
poorly depurated materials in organisms along a series of
nology.
predator-prey associations, primarily through the mechanism
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally
of dietary accumulation. (E943)
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as E2114 – 21. DOI:
10.1520/E2114-23.
Boldfaced terms are defined in this terminology.
3 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM www.astm.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2114 − 23
DISCUSSION—For the purposes of this definition, human, animals,
biomass, n—(1) All living material in a given area. (2) Any
plants, and microorganisms are individually all considered biological
material which is or was a living organism or excreted from
organisms.
a microorganism.
DISCUSSION—It often refers to vegetation.
electromagnetic spectrum, n—a continuum of electric and
magnetic radiation, encompassing all wavelengths from
building, n—(1) A shelter comprising a partially or totally
electricity, radio and microwaves, at the low-frequency end
enclosed space, erected by means of a planned process of
to infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet light in the
forming and combining materials. (2) The act or process of
midrange, to X-rays and gamma rays at the high frequency
constructing. (E631)
end of the spectrum. (As defined by the Institute of Electrical
and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), the spectrum of
building performance, n—the behavior in service of construc-
electromagnetic radiation consists of gamma rays, wave-
tion as a whole, or of the building components. (E631)
lengths shorter than 0.0006 nm; X-rays, 0.0006 nm to 5 nm;
building related illness, BRI, n—diagnosable illness of which
ultraviolet rays, 5 nm to 0.4 μm; visible light, 04 μm to 0.7
cause and symptoms can be directly attributed to a specific
μm; infrared, 0.7 μm to 0.1 mm; radio, greater than 0.1 mm.).
pollutant source within a building (for example, Legion-
embodied energy, n—the energy used through the life cycle of
naire’s disease, hypersensitivity, pneumonitis). BRI differs
a material or product to extract, refine, process, fabricate,
from sick building syndrome (SBS) conditions because the
transport, install, commission, utilize, maintain, remove, and
symptoms of the disease persist alter leaving the building,
ultimately recycle or dispose of the substances comprising
unlike SBS where the occupant experiences relief shortly
the item.
after leaving the building.
DISCUSSION—The total energy which a product may be said to
“contain,” including all energy used in, inter alia, growing, extracting,
carrying capacity, n—The theoretical maximum population of
transporting, and manufacturing. The embodied energy of a structure or
a biological organism that an ecosystem can sustain indefi-
system includes the embodied energy of its components plus the energy
nitely.
used in construction.
DISCUSSION—While the existence of a carrying capacity for a given
species in a given ecosystem is commonly recognized, the specific
endangered species, n—a species that is in danger of extinc-
number or range established as the carrying capacity is often debated.
tion throughout all or a significant portion of its habitat
range, as determined by the governmental entity having
cogeneration, n—the simultaneous production of electrical or
jurisdiction.
mechanical energy (power) and useful thermal energy from
a single energy stream, such as oil, coal, natural or liquefied
end-of-the-pipe technologies, n—technologies that reduce
gas, biomass, or solar.
emissions of pollutants after they have formed.
DISCUSSION—An example is scrubbers on a smokestack.
compost, n—the stable humus material that is produced from a
composting process. energy recovery, n—obtaining usable energy by consuming
waste through a variety of processes.
composting, v—the controlled biological decomposition of
environmental indicator, n—a measurement, statistic or value
organic material in the presence of air to form a humus.
that provides a proximate gage or evidence of the effects of
contaminant, n—a physical, chemical, biological, or radio-
environmental management programs or of the state or
logical substance or matter that has an adverse effect on air,
condition of the environment in a given area.
water, or soil.
exotic species, n—an introduced species not native or indig-
criterion, n—an established precedent, rule, measure, norm, or
enous to the area where it is found.
code upon which a decision may be based. (E631)
exposure, n—contact with a physical, chemical, biological, or
deconstruction, n—disassembly of buildings for the purpose radiological agent.
of recovering materials.
flush out, v—the process of reducing or removing volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) and other airborne contaminants
ecological impact, n—the effect that an activity has on living
from a building.
organisms, their non-living (abiotic) environment, and the
ecosystem.
green building, n—a building that provides the specified
building performance requirements while minimizing distur-
ecological indicator, n—a characteristic of an ecosystem that
bance to and improving the functioning of local, regional,
is related to, or derived from, a measure of biotic or abiotic
and global ecosystems both during and after its construction
variable, that can provide quantitative information on eco-
and specified service life.
logical structure and function.
DISCUSSION—A green building optimizes efficiencies in resource
DISCUSSION—An indicator can contribute to a measure of integrity
management and operational performance and minimizes risks to
and sustainability.
human health and the environment.
ecosystem, n—a community of biological organisms and their
physical environment, functioning together as an interdepen-
Available from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE),
dent unit within a defined area. 445 Hoes Ln., Piscataway, NJ 08854-4141, http://www.ieee.org.
E2114 − 23
was exported. Because such a species usually has no natural enemies
habitat, n—the place where a population of organisms lives
(pests, diseases, or grazers), it flourishes so strongly that the disruption
and their surroundings, both living and non-living.
readily occurs.
habitat indicator, n—a physical attribute of the environment
key species, n—a species of special concern for ecological
measured to characterize conditions necessary to support an
reasons. (E943)
organism, population, or community.
life-cycle, n—(1) in economic impact management, the length
hazard, n—the adverse effect(s) that may result from
of time over which an investment is analyzed. (E833)
exposure(s). (E943)
(2) in environmental impact management, consecutive and
interlinked stages of a product system, from raw material
heat island effect, n—see urban heat island.
acquisition or generation from natural resources to final
indicator, n—quantitative value or qualitative information disposal. (ISO 14040)
derived from a set of parameters that provides information DISCUSSION—Refer to the distinction between life-cycle assessment
(LCA) and life-cycle cost (LCC) method.
about the state of a phenomenon.
DISCUSSION—It is used for reference or comparative purposes for
life-cycle assessment, LCA, n—a compilation and evaluation
decision-making at a specified level.
of inputs, outputs, and the potential environmental impacts
of a product system throughout its life cycle.
indigenous species, n—a species that is likely, due to historical
DISCUSSION—At each stage, the product system is evaluated based
presence, to occur at a specified site for some portion of its
upon inputs and outputs, including flows such as materials, energy,
life span. (E943)
pollutants, and waste. Life cycle stages include, where relevant, raw
DISCUSSION—An indigenous species is
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2114 − 21 E2114 − 23
Standard Terminology for
Sustainability Relative to the Performance of Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2114; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This terminology consists of terms and definitions pertaining to sustainable development and, in particular, to sustainability
relative to the performance of buildings.sustainability.
1.2 The purpose of this terminology is to provide meanings and explanations of terms applicable to sustainable development.
sustainability. In the interest of common understanding and standardization, consistent word usage is encouraged to help eliminate
the major barrier to effective technical communication.
1.3 It is recommended that terms used only within an individual standard, and having a meaning unique to that standard, be defined
or explained in the terminology section of that individual standard.
1.4 Certain standard definitions herein are adopted from other sources. Each is an exact copy. The source is identified at the right
margin following the definition and is listed in Section 2.
1.5 Terms are listed in alphabetical sequence. Compound terms appear in the natural spoken order.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Environmental Fate (Withdrawn 2023)
E1705 Terminology Relating to Biotechnology
E2921 Practice for Minimum Criteria for Comparing Whole Building Life Cycle Assessments for Use with Building Codes,
Standards, and Rating Systems
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E60 on Sustainability and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E60.21 on Terminology.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021April 1, 2023. Published September 2021April 2023. Originally approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 20192021 as
E2114E2114 – 21.-19. DOI: 10.1520/E2114-21.10.1520/E2114-23.
Boldfaced terms are defined in this terminology.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2114 − 23
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 14040 Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
alternative agricultural products, n—bio-based industrial products (non-food, non-feed) manufactured from agricultural
materials and animal by-products.
alternative energy, n—see renewable energy.
bioaccumulation, n—the net accumulation of a substance by an organism as a result of uptake from all environmental sources.
(E943)
biobased products, n—products fabricated from alternative agricultural materials and forestry materials, or both.
biodegradable, adj—capable of decomposing under natural conditions into elements found in nature.
biodiversity, n—the variability among living organisms from all sources including: terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic
ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and
of ecosystems.
biological control agents, n—living organisms used to eliminate or regulate the population of other living organisms.
biological diversity, n—seebiodiversity.
biomagnification, n—the increase in tissue concentration of poorly depurated materials in organisms along a series of
predator-prey associations, primarily through the mechanism of dietary accumulation. (E943)
biomass, n—(1) All living material in a given area. (2) Any material which is or was a living organism or excreted from a
microorganism.
DISCUSSION—
It often refers to vegetation.
building, n—(1) A shelter comprising a partially or totally enclosed space, erected by means of a planned process of forming
and combining materials. (2) The act or process of constructing. (E631)
building performance, n—the behavior in service of construction as a whole, or of the building components. (E631)
building related illness, BRI, n—diagnosable illness of which cause and symptoms can be directly attributed to a specific
pollutant source within a building (for example, Legionnaire’s disease, hypersensitivity, pneumonitis). BRI differs from sick
building syndrome (SBS) conditions because the symptoms of the disease persist alter leaving the building, unlike SBS where
the occupant experiences relief shortly after leaving the building.
carrying capacity, n—The theoretical maximum population of a biological organism that an ecosystem can sustain indefinitely.
DISCUSSION—
While the existence of a carrying capacity for a given species in a given ecosystem is commonly recognized, the specific number or range established
as the carrying capacity is often debated.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
E2114 − 23
cogeneration, n—the simultaneous production of electrical or mechanical energy (power) and useful thermal energy from a
single energy stream, such as oil, coal, natural or liquefied gas, biomass, or solar.
compost, n—the stable humus material that is produced from a composting process.
composting, v—the controlled biological decomposition of organic material in the presence of air to form a humus.
contaminant, n—a physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter that has an adverse effect on air, water,
or soil.
criterion, n—an established precedent, rule, measure, norm, or code upon which a decision may be based. (E631)
deconstruction, n—disassembly of buildings for the purpose of recovering materials.
ecological impact, n—the effect that an activity has on living organisms, their non-living (abiotic) environment, and the
ecosystem.
ecological indicator, n—a characteristic of an ecosystem that is related to, or derived from, a measure of biotic or abiotic
variable, that can provide quantitative information on ecological structure and function.
DISCUSSION—
An indicator can contribute to a measure of integrity and sustainability.
ecosystem, n—a community of biological organisms and their physical environment, functioning together as an interdependent
unit within a defined area.
DISCUSSION—
For the purposes of this definition, human, animals, plants, and microorganisms are individually all considered biological organisms.
electromagnetic spectrum, n—a continuum of electric and magnetic radiation, encompassing all wavelengths from electricity,
radio and microwaves, at the low-frequency end to infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet light in the midrange, to X-rays and
gamma rays at the high frequency end of the spectrum. (As defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc.
(IEEE), the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation consists of gamma rays, wavelengths shorter than 0.0006 nm; X-rays,
0.0006–5 nm; 0.0006 nm to 5 nm; ultraviolet rays, 5 nm–0.4 nm to 0.4 μm; visible light, 04–0.7 04 μm to 0.7 μm; infrared, 0.7
μm–0.1 μm to 0.1 mm; radio, greater than 0.1 mm.).
embodied energy, n—the energy used through the life cycle of a material or product to extract, refine, process, fabricate,
transport, install, commission, utilize, maintain, remove, and ultimately recycle or dispose of the substances comprising the item.
DISCUSSION—
The total energy which a product may be said to “contain,” including all energy used in, inter alia, growing, extracting, transporting, and
manufacturing. The embodied energy of a structure or system includes the embodied energy of its components plus the energy used in construction.
endangered species, n—a species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its habitat range, as
determined by the governmental entity having jurisdiction.
end-of-the-pipe technologies, n—technologies that reduce emissions of pollutants after they have formed.
DISCUSSION—
An example is scrubbers on a smokestack.
energy recovery, n—obtaining usable energy by consuming waste through a variety of processes.
Available from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), 445 Hoes Ln., Piscataway, NJ 08854-4141, http://www.ieee.org.
E2114 − 23
environmental indicator, n—a measurement, statistic or value that provides a proximate gage or evidence of the effects of
environmental management programs or of the state or condition of the environment in a given area.
exotic species, n—an introduced species not native or indigenous to the area where it is found.
exposure, n—contact with a physical, chemical, biological, or radiological agent.
flush out, v—the process of reducing or removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other airborne contaminants from
a building.
green building, n—a building that provides the specified building performance requirements while minimizing disturbance to
and improving the functioning of local, regional, and global ecosystems both during and after its construction and specified
service life.
DISCUSSION—
A green building optimizes efficiencies in resource management and operational performance; and,performance and minimizes risks to human health
and the environment.
habitat, n—the place where a population of organisms lives and their surroundings, both living and non-living.
habitat indicator, n—a physical attribute of the environment measured to characterize conditions necessary to support an
organism, population, or community.
hazard, n—the adverse effect(s) that may result from exposure(s). (E943)
heat island effect, n—see urban heat island.
indicator, n—quantitative value or qualitative information derived from a set of parameters that provides information about the
state of a phenomenon.
DISCUSSION—
It is used for reference or comparative purposes for decision-making at a specified level.
indigenous species, n—a species that is likely, due to historical presence, to occur at a specified site for some portion of its life
span. (E943)
DISCUSSION—
An indigenous species is one having originated in and being produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment
as opposed to cultivated, domesticated, or exotic.
indoor air pollution, n—the level of air pollution in an enclosed environment.
DISCUSSION—
Based on the definition of air pollution in Terminology D1356, indoor air pollution relates to the levels of unwanted material in the air.
indoor air quality, IAQ, n—the composition and characteristics of the air in an enclosed space that affect the occupants of that
space.
DISCUSSION—
The indoor air quality of a space refers to the relative quality of air in a building with respect to contaminants and hazards and is determined by the
level of indoor air pollution and other characteristics of the air, including those that impact thermal comfort such as air temperature, relative humidity,
and air speed.
indoor environmental quality, IEQ, n—the condition or
...