IAQ Bills Target Schools and Public Buildings

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IAQ Bills Target Schools and Public Buildings

by From the editors of Maintenance Solutions

http://www.imakenews.com/pureaircontrols/e_article000257013.cfm?

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IAQ Bills Target Schools and Public Buildings

From the editors of Maintenance Solutions

About 60 pieces of legislation related to indoor air quality (IAQ)

are before 25 state legislatures, according to information published

by Aerias, LLC, an online resource - dedicated to enhancing IAQ

awareness. The figure includes 13 bills affecting schools and 14

concerning public buildings.

Ten states are addressing school IAQ. Among the bills of note are

these:

· Rhode Island SB 2380 would require that state's department of

health to set IAQ standards for levels of radon, bioaerosols,

chemical compounds, volatile organic compounds, pesticide usage, and

the degree of pest infestation. The bill also calls for standards for

removing hazardous substances, ventilation systems, and plumbing and

building structures for schools. New Hampshire, Missouri and

Pennsylvania also are considering bills that would set school-IAQ

standards.

· Missouri HB 1189 would direct the state's department of elementary

and secondary education to inspect and evaluate IAQ in schools at

least once every three years. Rhode Island SB 2380 would authorize

the state's department of health to conduct annual inspections, and

Arizona HB 2272 would require that state's school facilities board to

conduct IAQ assessments when approving construction or renovation of

a school.

· A joint resolution in Illinois (HB 2297 and SB 1191) requires each

school district to prepare an IAQ management plan. California and

Alabama legislators are considering similar legislation.

Among the bills of note for public buildings are the following:

· Massachusetts has five bills pending. Massachusetts HB 149 would

establish an office of IAQ within the state's department of public

health, which would evaluate public health effects of poor IAQ and

coordinate operations of all state and municipal agencies involved

with IAQ.

· Massachusetts also is proposing to set a green building income tax

credit and incentive program. Among the requirements to qualify for a

tax credit are smoking restrictions, specific ventilation

specifications, fresh-air- intake requirements, and inspections by a

licensed professional engineer or industrial hygienist.

· Bills in Pennsylvania and New York would set minimum IAQ and

ventilation standards for all places of employment in Pennsylvania

and in new and existing buildings in New York. Also, New York AB 4520

would direct that hospital construction plans must include proper

ventilation design to maximize healthy indoor environments.