Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is one of the most significant, and often overlooked, environmental risks to public health. According to the EPA, people spend roughly 90% of their time indoors, where pollutant concentrations can be 2–5 times higher than outdoor levels. Exposure to contaminants like radon, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter has been linked to asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
To address these challenges, Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) have introduced the Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act to the 119th Congress. The bill seeks to strengthen the EPA’s authority and resources to better protect Americans, especially children, from poor indoor air quality in schools and childcare facilities.
If enacted, the Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act would:
- Expand and codify the EPA’s Indoor Environments Division, ensuring continued federal leadership in IAQ research and guidance.
- Establish a list of significant indoor contaminants and develop health-based, voluntary guidelines to reduce exposure.
- Create voluntary building certifications for designs and operations that minimize IAQ risks.
- Support national IAQ assessments in schools and childcare facilities, providing technical assistance and best practices for improvement.
While outdoor air quality has seen substantial improvement through the Clean Air Act, indoor air quality has yet to receive the same level of attention or regulation. This legislation represents a major step toward ensuring that every classroom, workplace, and home is a safe and healthy environment.
At TELLUS, we believe that the first step toward cleaner air is better data. Our monitoring solutions and AirView software platform empower communities, schools, and organizations to understand and act on their air quality in real time.
