[PDF] health and the environment: addressing the health impact of air

Is indoor air quality a problem?

Fortunately, it appears from looking at current building code developments, that enough is known and appreciated about indoor air quality in the building community to avoid the kinds of pervasive gross errors that were made after the oil embargo in the 1970’s when energy conservation led to significant indoor air quality problems.

How do building codes address indoor air quality concerns?

Minimum ventilation or air change rate requirements, including passive ventilation (e.g. through windows or infiltration) plus provisions for exhaust of known sources of contaminants, are the principal mechanism that building codes use to address indoor air quality concerns.

How does energy conservation affect indoor air quality?

Energy conservation is backed by significant political and institutional frameworks, funding, legislation, and overall public involvement with large constituencies. This is not nearly the case with indoor air. This imbalance, therefore, increases the vulnerability of indoor air quality in buildings to changes made in buildings to save energy.

What is EPA Indoor airPLUS?

EPA Indoor airPLUS is designed to provide an indoor air quality certification label to Energy Star-rated homes, and with respect to indoor air, Indoor airPLUS may be considered one of the best industry practices because its specifications are more robust, and many of its requirements are considered options in other programs.