| Alkali: |
A compound that has the ability to neutralise an acid and form a salt. For example: sodium hydroxide, referred to as caustic soda or lye. Alkali is used in soap manufacturing and many other applications. Alkali turns litmus paper blue. |
| Algae: |
A fresh water plant associated with fungi, which forms a scum or film on the surfaces of the ventilation recirculated water apparatus and drain pans, interfering with fluid flow and heat transfer. The presence of algae build up is an indication of poor maintenance and possible poor indoor air quality. |
| Alkaline Salts: |
A material's ability to loosen inert minerals when wet and after hydration. Engineering Note: Under concrete slabs and concrete walls, for example, it is the moisture (as high vapour pressure) exerting through the concrete, surrounded by air in which partial vapour pressure is rather low on the surface, allowing water to pass from the mineral salts into air. The remaining salts are called efflorescence. See Efflorescence |
| Algae: |
A fresh water plant associated with fungi, which forms a scum or film on the surfaces of the ventilation recirculated water apparatus and drain pans, interfering with fluid flow and heat transfer. The presence of algae build up is an indication of poor maintenance and possible poor indoor air quality. |
| Alkalinity Testing: |
The ability of a test to determine the alkalinity (pH) of a concrete surface. The test method and results must be repeated in more than one area and it must be reproduceable. |
| Algae: |
A fresh water plant associated with fungi, which forms a scum or film on the surfaces of the ventilation recirculated water apparatus and drain pans, interfering with fluid flow and heat transfer. The presence of algae build up is an indication of poor maintenance and possible poor indoor air quality. |
| Efflorecence: |
a) The ability of concrete, brick and mortar to exude inherent silicate salts (minerals). Education Note: Efflorescence is usually an indicator that high moisture vapor is pushing out from one side of a concrete, brick and mortar material through another. b) The mineral alkaline salt residues found on the top of soil under a building after surface water has dissipated. |
| Algae: |
A fresh water plant associated with fungi, which forms a scum or film on the surfaces of the ventilation recirculated water apparatus and drain pans, interfering with fluid flow and heat transfer. The presence of algae build up is an indication of poor maintenance and possible poor indoor air quality. |
| Moisture-Related Flooring Failures: |
The ability of moisture as a vapor from a substrate to cause or result in a floor product damage. Although there are a lot of very technical-sounding terms and theories surrounding flooring problems and failures, there are only two basic causes of flooring failures: moisture and alkalinity. (Assuming, of course, there has not been unsatisfactory construction practices, flooring products and flooring installation.) |
| Algae: |
A fresh water plant associated with fungi, which forms a scum or film on the surfaces of the ventilation recirculated water apparatus and drain pans, interfering with fluid flow and heat transfer. The presence of algae build up is an indication of poor maintenance and possible poor indoor air quality. |
| Neutral Cleaner: |
A mild detergent having a Ph of 6 to 8, that does not contain any strong alkali materials, and is designed to remove soil or spills. |
| Neutralize: |
a) The change of an acid or alkaline substance to a neutral pH of 7.0. b) The elimination of an odor or irritant substance. c) The ability to convert a substance into another chemical substance or state. |
| Algae: |
A fresh water plant associated with fungi, which forms a scum or film on the surfaces of the ventilation recirculated water apparatus and drain pans, interfering with fluid flow and heat transfer. The presence of algae build up is an indication of poor maintenance and possible poor indoor air quality. |
| Stripping: |
In cleaning and restoration, stripping is the removal of old floor polishes and finishes, using s strong, and usually very alkaline detergent and scrubbing procedure. Education Note: Stripping is done to small segments of a floor at a time, with each segment being thoroughly rinsed before moving to the next segment. Stripping is a very aggressive floor maintenance procedure often required after a fire or water damage, especially when there is an exposure to soot or sewage, where caustic acids and harmful bacteria effect the floor and the environment. |
| Algae: |
A fresh water plant associated with fungi, which forms a scum or film on the surfaces of the ventilation recirculated water apparatus and drain pans, interfering with fluid flow and heat transfer. The presence of algae build up is an indication of poor maintenance and possible poor indoor air quality. |
| Tear Gas Exposures: |
Toxic gas exposures from police and riot-type tear gas. Health and Safety Note: Seldom will emergency response water damage technicians come in contact with tear gas. But in several instances, technicians have been asked to cleanup tear gas exposures with their cleanup equipment. No technician or adjuster should enter a tear-gas contaminated building without proper respiratory and skin protection. Health Note: 1) Tear gas can effect technicians and adjusters from ingestion, inhalation in nasal passages, and absorption on skin. 2) Seldom is tear gas considered a medical emergency or a medical concern. 3) Yet, depending on the type, concentration and severity of exposure, the health of the technician or adjuster, the health concerns may result in a immediate medical emergency. 4) Skin and respiratory reaction to airborne tear gas is almost immediate. 5) CN/CS/CR/OC tear gases residue and powders are white in color. 6) CN/CS/CR tear gas are not-stable when heated. 7) Tear gas is generally dispersed as powder-like aerosols having a chemical dispersion reactivity to an environment from their explosion. 8) Once the agents have been dispersed into a building, the agents react violently in the presence of humidity, higher temperatures, some oxidizers and a combination of factors. 9) All of the tear gas agents have low solubility in water but they can be dissolved in several organic solvents. Hydrolysis of CN tear gas for example, is very low reacting in water solution, even when alkali is added. On skin, it is best to flush continuously with cold water. CS tear gas on the other hand, is rapidly hydrolyzed in water solution , having a half-life at pH 7 is about 15 min. at room temperature (65 to 70 ?F, and 30 to 45% Rh), and react extremely rapid when alkali is added (half-life at pH 9 is about 1 min.). 10) As remediation technicians, you must be extremely careful in adding alkali substances to skin, since they can add to dermal discomfort and skin damage. Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate) is best used as an adsorptive and cleaning agent on skin. |