For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(a)  “Affect” means to cause a condition by the presence of mold in the dwelling unit, building, appurtenant structure, common wall, heating system, or ventilating and air-conditioning system that affects the indoor air quality of a dwelling unit or building.

(b)  “Authoritative bodies” means any recognized national or international entities with expertise on public health, mold identification and remediation, or environmental health, including, but not limited to, other states, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the New York City Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

(c)  “Certified Industrial Hygienist” means a person who has met the education, experience, and examination requirements of an industrial hygiene certification organization as defined in Section 20700 of the Business and Professions Code.

(d)  “Code enforcement officer” means a local official responsible for enforcing housing codes and maintaining public safety in buildings using an interdepartmental approach at the local government level.

(e)  “Department” means the State Department of Health Services, designated as the lead agency in the adoption of permissible exposure limits to mold in indoor environments, mold identification and remediation efforts, and the development of guidelines for the determination of what constitutes mold infestation.

(f)  “Indoor environments” means the affected dwelling unit or affected commercial or industrial building.

(g)  “Mold” means any form of multicellular fungi that live on plant or animal matter and in indoor environments. Types of mold include, but are not limited to, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fuarim, Trichoderma, Memnoniella, Mucor, and Stachybotrys chartarum, often found in water-damaged building materials.

(h)  “Person” means an individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, limited liability company, municipality, public utility, or other public body or institution.

(i)  “Public health officer” means a local health officer appointed pursuant to Section 101000 or a local comprehensive health agency designated by the board of supervisors pursuant to Section 101275 to carry out the drinking water program.

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 584, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.)