Trade associations in HVAC and related industries appear to be lining up, for the most part, behind a bill that aims to improve IAQ in buildings, and in schools and child-care facilities in particular.
The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2024, or H.R. 9131, was introduced in the House of Representatives July 25 by U.S. Reps. Paul D. Tonko, D-New York, and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania.
The measure would strengthen the Indoor Environments Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), require the EPA to maintain a list of significant indoor contaminants and develop guidelines for reducing exposure to them, require the EPA to adopt certifications for buildings designed and built to prevent or minimize health risks from indoor air, and establish and regularly update a national assessment of IAQ in schools and child-care operations, along with supporting the development of best practices for improving IAQ in those buildings.
A press release from Tonko’s office notes that studies show that indoor contaminants can be two to five, or even more, times higher than those present outdoors, and that the EPA’s Science Advisory Board has ranked poor IAQ as among the top five environmental risks to health.
“Our bipartisan Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act gives EPA the tools to face this problem head-on, by taking action to establish science-based guidelines and promote effective tools and best practices to minimize indoor health risks,” Tonko said.
“We will provide the EPA with the proper level of authority and access to tools needed to combat poor indoor air quality and protect public health within our schools, and I encourage all of our colleagues to join us in supporting this critical initiative,” said Fitzpatrick.
The bill has been officially endorsed by ASHRAE, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), the International WELL Building Institute, and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), and is drawing support from other groups as well.
At ACCA, Sean Robertson, vice president of membership, advocacy, and events, praised the measure, but also made a pitch for improved HVAC system design and installation standards.
“Of course, it’s great to see new attention and resources directed towards keeping our kids safe,” Robertson said. “Without attention to overall system design and quality installation, however, efforts to filter specific contaminants can do more harm than good by restricting airflow and causing issues with humidity and mold.”
Industry-supported standards, such as those in ACCA’s commercial design series, “provide a roadmap for doing the job right,” Robertson said.
“Any such legislation should provide incentives for proper system design and quality installation, implemented by experienced contractors,” he added.
The bill would mandate EPA assessments of IAQ in schools and child-care facilities, and references ASHRAE Standard 62.1–2022, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, as a possible benchmark to use in those assessments. ASHRAE’s 2024-2024 president, M. Dennis Knight, voiced a strong endorsement of the bill.
“This legislation provides much-needed support for improving indoor air quality, essential for health, productivity, and positive learning outcomes,” Knight said. “As we work to decarbonize and enhance building resilience and sustainability, prioritizing healthy indoor environments is vital. Incorporating ASHRAE IAQ standards into building codes will be foundational to this goal.”
The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), according to Francis Dietz, vice president of public affairs, hasn’t taken a position on the bill but is reviewing it with membership.
“We have worked very positively in the past with Rep. Tonko and look forward to working with him again, as this works its way through the process,” Dietz said.
The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act was sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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