Indoor Air Quality Program
Stored: Indoor Air Quality Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Radiation and Indoor Air |
| Top Organization | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Creation Legislation | Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The EPA Indoor Air Quality Program raises public awareness and conducts research to address indoor air pollution issues like radon and mold. It aims to improve indoor environmental quality and protect public health without direct regulatory authority. |
| Program Start | 1986 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
EPA Indoor Air Quality Program (IAQ Program) is an Environmental Protection Agency initiative led by the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) that provides resources, research, and outreach to improve indoor air quality across the United States, impacting millions by addressing pollutants like radon—the second leading cause of lung cancer—and mold in homes, schools, and offices as of 2025.
Established in 1986, it supports voluntary programs like Indoor AirPlus, coordinates the Federal Interagency Committee on Indoor Air Quality (CIAQ), and has influenced over 100,000 homes through partnerships and guidelines like ASHRAE 44 for wildfire smoke protection, operating without regulatory enforcement but fostering public health through education and technical assistance.
Goals
- Raise awareness of indoor air pollution risks like radon and mold.[1]
- Improve public health by promoting voluntary IAQ solutions and research.
- Coordinate federal IAQ efforts through the CIAQ to enhance knowledge sharing.
Organization
The EPA Indoor Air Quality Program is sponsored by the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) within the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, under the Environmental Protection Agency.[2] Funding comes from Congressional appropriations, with FY 2025 estimates supporting a staff managing research, outreach, and partnerships like Indoor AirPlus, operating from EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 10 regional offices, collaborating with agencies like NIOSH and OSHA via the CIAQ established in 1983.
The leader at the EPA level is the Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, currently Joseph Goffman (as of February 20, 2025), with ORIA led by Director Jonathan Edwards.
History
The EPA Indoor Air Quality Program was established under Title IV of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), signed into law on October 17, 1986, mandating EPA IAQ research amid rising indoor pollution concerns.[3] It began with radon focus in the late 1980s, formalized the CIAQ in 1983 (expanded post-1986), launched Indoor AirPlus in 2008, and by 2025, has addressed wildfire smoke (ASHRAE Guideline 44, 2023) and flood-related mold, adapting to climate-driven IAQ challenges with over 100 publications.
Funding
Initial funding in 1986 came from Congressional appropriations, with SARA allocating funds for IAQ research, though specific amounts weren’t isolated.[4] Funding began in 1986 and continues within the EPA’s $10 billion FY 2023 budget (OAR portion $11 billion via Inflation Reduction Act), supporting research, outreach, and partnerships like Indoor AirPlus, with no end date as appropriations sustain efforts like 2025’s wildfire smoke initiatives.
Implementation
The program is implemented through public education, research, and voluntary partnerships, providing resources like the Indoor AirPlus label for over 100,000 homes and coordinating CIAQ meetings three times yearly.[5] It operates continuously with no end date, adapting in 2025 to climate-related IAQ issues via guidelines and outreach, without regulatory enforcement, relying on collaboration with states and industry.
Related
External links
- https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
- https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-airplus - Indoor AirPlus Program
- https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-air-and-radiation-oar - OAR Overview
- wikipedia:Indoor air quality
Social media
References
- ↑ "Indoor Air Quality Overview," EPA, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "ORIA Structure," EPA, https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-air-and-radiation-oar#oria, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "IAQ Program History," EPA, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "EPA Budget History," EPA, https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/budget, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "IAQ Implementation," EPA, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/federal-interagency-committee-indoor-air-quality, accessed February 19, 2025.