Indoor Air Quality News

EPA focuses on lead exposure

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to expand the lead air quality monitoring network to ensure that the most vulnerable Americans are protected from exposure to lead. Even at low levels, exposure to lead can impair a child’s IQ, learning capabilities, memory, and behavior.

EPA is proposing to require air quality monitoring around sources that emit a half ton or more of lead a year, lowering the current threshold from one ton a year to include more sources. The proposal also modifies the current requirement for monitoring in larger urban areas. Monitors would be placed at each of the multi-pollutant monitoring stations being established in urban and rural areas.

For more information, see www.epa.gov

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GEI creates IAQ certification program

ATLANTA – The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) has launched GREENGUARD PremierSM, a comprehensive product certification pilot program incorporating existing stringent indoor air quality criteria, additional chemical emission requirements, and new content requirements for critical chemicals.

The program uses exposure assessments that address primary uses of products in a home, office, healthcare, or school environment. It combines key criteria for formaldehyde  and  other volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from established indoor air quality standards (such as California’s section 01350 and GREENGUARD Children & SchoolsSM Certification)  with additional guidelines on toxic substances from nationally established public health agencies. 

For more information, see www.greenguard.org

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Buildings contain more allergens than thought

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The growing asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program has developed and adopted a certification standard and testing protocol for Non-Disinfecting Hard Surface Spray Cleaning Products.

According to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)., a growing body of scientific evidence indicates that air within homes and other buildings can contain more allergens and polluting agents than outdoor air. Individuals who suffer from asthma and allergies are more likely to react to the various biological and non-biological allergens and irritants found indoors such as house dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and more. Removing and controlling these types of allergens can improve overall indoor air quality (IAQ).

For more information, see www.aafa.org

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Allergies affect appearances

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Many allergy sufferers say symptoms such as itchy, dry, red and watery eyes leave them frustrated and irritable, tired, and distracted, according to a survey by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). About 40% of women allergy sufferers surveyed say their red and puffy eyes make them look tired and unattractive.

Among those who wear contact lenses, other problems arise. When their allergies act up, half (50%) say they switch to glasses, while 45% report that they wear their contacts less often. For some, not being able to wear their contacts affects how they feel about themselves and impacts their performance at work, school, and when playing sports.

For more information, see www.aafa.org

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