Texas Regulatory, IICRC & Mycology Glossary

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Actual Growth

Active vegetative or reproductive mycelial amplification visible on structural materials, contents, or decorative substrates, confirmed by microscopic evaluation.

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Administrative Controls

Operational procedures, containment scheduling, and occupant management protocols implemented to minimize exposure to indoor environmental contaminants.

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Air Cleaning (Washing)

Mechanical filtration of ambient bioaerosols using high-efficiency particulate air filtration devices (AFDs) equipped with HEPA filtration.

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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.

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Allergen

An antigenic substance (including fungal proteins, dust mite frass, or insect antigens) capable of inducing an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic hypersensitivity reaction.

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Allied Field

Related technical disciplines including architecture, engineering, industrial hygiene, building science, or environmental health and safety.

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Assessment

An inspection, survey, investigation, or sampling performed to determine the presence, identity, location, or quantity of mold or related environmental contaminants.

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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.

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Biofilm

A structured consortium of microbial cells adhering to a moist substrate and enclosed in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).

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"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.

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Building Sciences

The collection of scientific knowledge and engineering principles governing thermodynamic heat transfer, psychrometric airflow, and moisture migration through building structural assemblies.

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Certificate 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.

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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.

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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.

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Condition 3 (Actual Growth)

An indoor environment contaminated with the presence of active vegetative fungal growth on indoor environmental surfaces or structural materials.

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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.

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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.

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Contiguous Square Feet

A continuous, uninterrupted surface area of mold contamination; projects involving 25 or more contiguous square feet trigger mandatory Texas TDLR regulation.

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Cross-Contamination

The inadvertent transfer or atmospheric migration of fungal bioaerosols, mycotoxins, or contaminated particulate from an active containment zone into unaffected clean areas.

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Department (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.

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Engineering Controls

Physical barriers, negative air pressure machines, HEPA filtration scrubbers, and local exhaust ventilation used to isolate and eliminate hazardous atmospheric contaminants.

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Executive Director

The Executive Director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

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Fungus (plural "Fungi")

A kingdom of eukaryotic heterotrophic organisms including molds, yeasts, mildews, and mushrooms that absorb organic nutrients from their environment.

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HEPA (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.

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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.

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Hypha (plural "Hyphae")

The microscopic branching filamentous structure of a fungus that collectively constitutes vegetative mycelial growth.

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Indoor 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.

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Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP)

An individual qualified by education, training, and state credentialing to assess indoor environmental quality, author protocols, and verify remediation clearances.

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License

A formal credential granted by TDLR authorizing an individual or company to practice mold assessment, consulting, analysis, or remediation within the State of Texas.

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Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs)

Chemical gases emitted as metabolic by-products by actively growing fungal colonies, responsible for characteristic musty and earthy odors.

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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.

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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.

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Mold Remediation Protocol (MRP)

A statutory document prepared by a licensed MAC specifying remediation work scopes, containment design, engineering controls, and clearance criteria.

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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.

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Mycotoxin

A toxic secondary chemical metabolite produced by certain fungal species (such as trichothecenes and satratoxins from Stachybotrys chartarum) that pose serious health risks.

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Post-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.

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Qualified Laboratory

A laboratory accredited by AIHA-LAP or licensed by TDLR meeting stringent quality assurance, calibration, and blind proficiency testing standards.

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Remediation Contractor (MRC)

An entity licensed by TDLR under 16 TAC § 78.54 to execute physical mold remediation, demolition, cleaning, and sanitization services.

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Spore

A microscopic reproductive and survival structure produced by fungi, capable of rapid airborne transport and vegetative germination in the presence of moisture.

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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).

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Toxic Mold

Fungal taxa capable of synthesizing toxic mycotoxins under specific environmental conditions, presenting hazardous inhalation and dermal risks.

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Work Analysis / Plan

The formal written operational plan prepared by a licensed Mold Remediation Contractor derived directly from the Mold Assessment Consultant's protocol.