GLOSSARY
Authoritative environmental science, forensic microbiology, and Texas statutory terminology defined under TDLR 16 TAC Chapter 78 and ANSI/IICRC S520.
A
// 8 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSActual Growth
Active vegetative or reproductive mycelial amplification visible on structural materials, contents, or decorative substrates, confirmed by microscopic evaluation.
Administrative Controls
Operational procedures, containment scheduling, and occupant management protocols implemented to minimize exposure to indoor environmental contaminants.
Air Cleaning (Washing)
Mechanical filtration of ambient bioaerosols using high-efficiency particulate air filtration devices (AFDs) equipped with HEPA filtration.
Air Filtration Device (AFD)
A portable mechanical blower unit containing pre-filters and a certified HEPA filter designed to create negative pressure containment or recirculate scrubbed air.
Allergen
An antigenic substance (including fungal proteins, dust mite frass, or insect antigens) capable of inducing an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic hypersensitivity reaction.
Allied Field
Related technical disciplines including architecture, engineering, industrial hygiene, building science, or environmental health and safety.
Assessment
An inspection, survey, investigation, or sampling performed to determine the presence, identity, location, or quantity of mold or related environmental contaminants.
Assessor (MAC)
An individual or company licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under 16 TAC Chapter 78 to conduct mold assessments and author remediation protocols.
B
// 3 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSBiofilm
A structured consortium of microbial cells adhering to a moist substrate and enclosed in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).
"Black Mold"
A popular lay term commonly applied to dark dematiaceous molds (most notably Stachybotrys chartarum, but also Cladosporium and Curvularia). Accurate hazard evaluation requires laboratory microscopic exam.
Building Sciences
The collection of scientific knowledge and engineering principles governing thermodynamic heat transfer, psychrometric airflow, and moisture migration through building structural assemblies.
C
// 8 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSCertificate of Mold Damage Remediation (CMDR)
Texas Form MDR-1 issued pursuant to Texas Occupations Code § 1958.154 certifying that a property has been remediated in accordance with a licensed protocol and passed laboratory clearance.
Condition 1 (Normal Fungal Ecology)
An indoor environment that may have settled spores, fungal fragments, or traces of actual growth whose identity, location, and quantity are reflective of a normal fungal ecology for an undamaged structure.
Condition 2 (Settled Spores)
An indoor environment contaminated with settled fungal spores or vegetative fragments that were dispersed from actual growth, but do not show active growth on surfaces.
Condition 3 (Actual Growth)
An indoor environment contaminated with the presence of active vegetative fungal growth on indoor environmental surfaces or structural materials.
Consumer Mold Information Sheet (CMIS)
A statutory informational document prepared by TDLR that must be provided to clients prior to conducting regulated mold assessment or remediation in Texas.
Containment Area
An enclosed workspace isolated with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting, negative air pressure machines, and critical airlocks designed to prevent cross-contamination into unaffected spaces.
Contiguous Square Feet
A continuous, uninterrupted surface area of mold contamination; projects involving 25 or more contiguous square feet trigger mandatory Texas TDLR regulation.
Cross-Contamination
The inadvertent transfer or atmospheric migration of fungal bioaerosols, mycotoxins, or contaminated particulate from an active containment zone into unaffected clean areas.
D
// 1 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSDepartment (TDLR)
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the state agency charged with licensing, regulating, and enforcing mold assessment and remediation laws under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1958.
E
// 2 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSEngineering Controls
Physical barriers, negative air pressure machines, HEPA filtration scrubbers, and local exhaust ventilation used to isolate and eliminate hazardous atmospheric contaminants.
Executive Director
The Executive Director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
F
// 1 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSFungus (plural "Fungi")
A kingdom of eukaryotic heterotrophic organisms including molds, yeasts, mildews, and mushrooms that absorb organic nutrients from their environment.
H
// 3 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSHEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air)
A certified particulate filter designed to capture at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers (µm) in aerodynamic diameter.
HVAC Protocol
A detailed engineering instruction written by a licensed MAC detailing mechanical containment, coil decontamination, duct sanitization, and negative pressure under 16 TAC § 78.50.
Hypha (plural "Hyphae")
The microscopic branching filamentous structure of a fungus that collectively constitutes vegetative mycelial growth.
I
// 2 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSIndoor Air Quality (IAQ)
The physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics of air within a building or enclosed structure as it relates to human health and comfort.
Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP)
An individual qualified by education, training, and state credentialing to assess indoor environmental quality, author protocols, and verify remediation clearances.
L
// 1 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSLicense
A formal credential granted by TDLR authorizing an individual or company to practice mold assessment, consulting, analysis, or remediation within the State of Texas.
M
// 6 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSMicrobial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs)
Chemical gases emitted as metabolic by-products by actively growing fungal colonies, responsible for characteristic musty and earthy odors.
Mold Analysis Laboratory
A laboratory facility licensed under 16 TAC § 78.64 (such as Envirogyn LAB #1050) authorized to examine and quantify air, surface, and bulk mold samples.
Mold Assessment Report (MAR)
A written document authored by a licensed Mold Assessment Consultant detailing visual inspection findings, thermal moisture data, and certified lab analytics.
Mold Remediation Protocol (MRP)
A statutory document prepared by a licensed MAC specifying remediation work scopes, containment design, engineering controls, and clearance criteria.
Mold Remediation Work Plan (MRWP)
A technical operating procedure authored by a licensed Mold Remediation Contractor detailing how the contractor will execute the consultant's protocol.
Mycotoxin
A toxic secondary chemical metabolite produced by certain fungal species (such as trichothecenes and satratoxins from Stachybotrys chartarum) that pose serious health risks.
P
// 1 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSPost-Remediation Verification (PRV)
An independent visual inspection and laboratory clearance testing protocol executed by a licensed MAC to verify that remediation work plan criteria have been met.
Q
// 1 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSQualified Laboratory
A laboratory accredited by AIHA-LAP or licensed by TDLR meeting stringent quality assurance, calibration, and blind proficiency testing standards.
R
// 1 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSRemediation Contractor (MRC)
An entity licensed by TDLR under 16 TAC § 78.54 to execute physical mold remediation, demolition, cleaning, and sanitization services.
S
// 2 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSSpore
A microscopic reproductive and survival structure produced by fungi, capable of rapid airborne transport and vegetative germination in the presence of moisture.
Statutory Firewall
The Texas Occupations Code § 1958.155 mandate strictly prohibiting an environmental firm from performing assessment and remediation on the same project (≥ 25 sq ft).
T
// 1 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSToxic Mold
Fungal taxa capable of synthesizing toxic mycotoxins under specific environmental conditions, presenting hazardous inhalation and dermal risks.
W
// 1 STATUTORY DEFINITIONSWork Analysis / Plan
The formal written operational plan prepared by a licensed Mold Remediation Contractor derived directly from the Mold Assessment Consultant's protocol.
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