saturated (100 percent relative humidity) with water vapor when cooled at constant pressure.

The quantitative relationship between exposure to a substance, usually expressed as a dose, and the extent of the biologic effect or response.

Aerosols that contain an organism or particle.

The lipopolysaccharide of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, extractable from cells with trichloroacetic acid but not naturally released in quantity until cell lysis. The lipid A portion of the lipopolysaccharide is responsible for its toxic effects, which include leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, fever, and shock. Unlike the specific exotoxins, endotoxins from various organisms have similar pathogenic effects. Also known as bacterial pyrogen.

The scientific study of the distribution and occurrence of human diseases, health conditions, and their determinants.

Antigenic determinant.

Redness of the skin.

To exude from or pass out of a vessel into the tissues, for example, from blood, lymph, or urine.

Inanimate objects or substances that function to transfer infectious organisms from one individual to another.

Any of several types of white blood cells with a granular cytoplasm.

The science of blood and its nature, function, and diseases.

A substance released by basophils in mast cells during allergic reactions. The pharmacologic effects of histamine include dilating blood vessels and stimulating gastric secretion.

An organism that harbors or provides nourishment, habitat, or transport to another organism, whether symbiont, commensal, or parasite.

The ability of an organism to mount a successful immune response against disease-causing antigens.

Immunity associated with and characterized by antibodies that circulate in the blood.

Capable of readily taking up and retaining moisture.

Excessive or abnormal reactivity to a stimulus.

Diseases for which a subsequent exposure to an antigen produces a greater effect than that produced on initial exposure. (See discussion in Chapter 5.)

Front Matter (R1-R11)

Executive Summary (1-33)

1 Introduction (34-43)

2 Magnitude and Dimensions of Sensitization and Disease Caused by Indoor Allergens (44-85)

3 Agents, Sources, Source Controls, and Diseases (86-130)

4 Mechanisms of Immune Function (131-152)

5 Medical Testing Methods (153-184)

6 Assessing Exposure and Risk (185-205)

7 Engineering Control Strategies (206-232)

8 The Role of Education (233-245)

References (246-280)

Acronyms (281-283)

Glossary (284-292)

Committee and Staff Biographies (293-298)

Index (299-308)