United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Air and
Radiation
Washington DC 20460
EPA, 600 '8-87/031
June 1 987
Research and Development
&EPA
EPA Indoor Air Quality
Implementation Plan
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EPA-600/8-87-031
June 1987
EPA Indoor Air Quality
Implementation Plan
A REPORT TO CONGRESS
UNDER
TITLE IV OF THE SUPERFUND AMENDMENTS AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1986:
RADON GAS AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY RESEARCH
Prepared by:
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region V, Library
230 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604
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REPORT TO CONGRESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
CONTENTS
I. SUMMARY 1
II. PURPOSE 2
III. ORGANIZATION 2
IV. APPROACH 2
V. BACKGROUND 3
VI. INDOOR AIR POLICY OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY 5
VII. ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE 7
VIII. NEAR-TERM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 10
IX. LONG-TERM RESEARCH NEEDS 17
X. MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION 19
XI. TABLE OF COMMON INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS 23
APPENDICES:
Appendix A: Preliminary Indoor Air Pollution Information Assessment
Appendix B: FY 87 Indoor Air Research Program
Appendix C: Radon Activities
Appendix D: Indoor Air Resource History
Appendix E: Indoor Air Reference Data Base
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INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
I. SUMMARY
This Report to Congress is being submitted under Title IV of the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. The Report
sets forth EPA's overall indoor air policy and strategy and provides a
near-terra plan for implementing Title IV.
The Report is comprised of a main body which concisely establishes
the policy context for indoor air research and the Agency's near-term
implementation plan. The report also contains five appendices which
provide a summary of current information on indoor air quality, a descrip-
tion of the Agency's current indoor air research projects, a detailed
description of the Agency's radon activities, EPA's indoor air resource
history, and a compilation of indoor air literature references.
EPA's indoor air program is geared toward identification, character-
ization, and ranking of indoor air problems and assessment and implemen-
tation of appropriate mitigation strategies. EPA's research and analytical
activities will pursue both source-specific and generic approaches to
indoor air pollution. From a source-specific standpoint, the Agency will
identify high risk pollutant sources and characterize the exposures and
health risks of various populations to those sources. At the same time,
the Agency will also pursue broad, cross-cutting strategies aimed at
assessing the total exposure of people to indoor air pollutants and
developing mitigation strategies which can address multiple pollutants
simultaneously through improved building design and management techniques.
EPA will assess appropriate federal actions to mitigate health and
environmental risks associated with indoor air quality problems. EPA
will also take actions under existing statutes to reduce significant
health risks, will refer problems to other federal agencies with appropriate
regulatory authorities, or will request separate regulatory authority from
Congress, if appropriate.
EPA's indoor air program will also emphasize information dissemination
strategies to communicate information to a wide variety of audiences with
roles to play in indoor air pollution. Ultimately, the Agency hopes to
increase the capabilities of state and local governments, the private
sector, and individuals to identify and solve immediate health problems
associated with pollutants in indoor environments and to reduce overall
health risks.
The Agency's research, regulatory, and program implementation activities
are closely coordinated with the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department
of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) as well as other federal agencies involved in indoor
air quality activities. The Agency will continue to seek both scientific
and policy input from organizations and individuals representing a broad
spectrum of interests. In addition, EPA will coordinate its activities
with other organizations where there are common concerns and objectives.
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II. PURPOSE
This Report to Congress has been prepared and is being submitted
pursuant to Section. 403(d) of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization
Act of 1986, Title IV Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Research. This
provision requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
submit to Congress a plan for implementing the indoor air and radon
research program mandated under Title IV. On April 10, 1987, the Agency
submitted to Congress a partial description of its implementation plan,
including the detailed radon gas component and a description of the
Agency's plans for coordinating the indoor air and radon programs. This
document supplements that report by providing a substantially more detailed
assessment of the current state of knowledge about indoor air pollution
and the Agency's near-term plans for fulfilling the statutory requirements
of Title IV.
III. ORGANIZATION
The main body of this report provides information on the conduct of
EPA's indoor air program, including the Agency's policy on indoor air,
federal activities to date, and research needs which are currently being
addressed by EPA. It also discusses at some length the choices which
face EPA and other federal agencies concerned with indoor air pollution.
This discussion revolves around the recently completed Preliminary Indoor
Air Pollution Information Assessment and its companion document, the
Research Needs Statement, still undergoing reviews. These documents are
discussed further in the following sections.
A set of appendices accompany the report and provide valuable back-up
documentation. These include:
0 The Preliminary Indoor Air Pollution Information Assessment, which
describes in detail existing knowledge on indoor air quality;
0 Descriptions of all projects conducted as part of EPA's 1987 indoor
air research program.
0 The Agency's radon program description from the interim Report to
Congress submitted on April 10, 1987.
0 An updated resource history, showing expenditures from FY'84-87
for research and program development activities.
0 A bibliography of indoor air quality literature containing over
2,000 entries.
IV. APPROACH
In developing an appropriate plan for implementing Title IV and
carrying out an effective indoor air quality research program within a
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policy context, the Agency's Office of Research and Development (ORD)
first prepared the Preliminary Indoor Air Poll Lit ton Information Assessment
(hereinafter referred to as "the information assessment"^.That document
Is attached as Appendix A. EPA's goal In producing the information assess-
ment was to assemble and synthesize all available sources of information
on indoor air pollution from work being done by the research community
within EPA and other federal agencies, state and local governments,
universities, and individuals and research institutions throughout the
world. The document is intended to serve the dual purposes of recognizing
the multi-disciplinary nature of the indoor air problem and identifying
research and information gaps. From the data compiled in the information
assessment, EPA was able to prepare the near-term implementation plan
presented in this report and begin the process of formulating a long-term
implementation plan which would identify the research questions remaining.
V. BACKGROUND
When the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, the air pollution problems
of greatest concern to the nation were out-of-doors. The "mounting dangers
to the public health and welfare," as described by the Congress in Title 1
were perceived to be caused by "urbanization, industrial development, and
the increasing use of motor vehicles....". Consequently, the law that was
intended to protect and enhance the quality of the nation's air resources
gave EPA authority to control a wide variety of air emissions sources and
air pollutants that contributed to the degradation of ambient air. EPA
interpreted the term "ambient" to apply to outdoor air only.
The quality of the indoor air was not addressed in the law. At that
time, except for studies of specialized environments like submarines,
space capsules, and the industrial workplace, virtually no scientific
research had been done on indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution and
its associated health effects were considered neither serious enough nor
pervasive enough to merit national attention.
However, in the early 1970s, indoor air pollution received increasing
public attention when the government instituted energy conservation measures.
During this time, formaldehyde was identified as the cause of acute irritant
reactions, primarily eye and nose irritation and respiratory distress, in
individuals living in homes insulated with urea-formaldehyde foam insula-
tion, and mobile homes constructed with large quantities of particleboard
and plywood. This led to additional research to assess the types and
quantities of air pollutants found in various indoor environments, all of
which came to the same conclusion: for certain pollutant types, concentra-
tions were often much higher indoors than they were outdoors. Furthermore,
when high exposure levels were coupled with the fact that most people
spend more of their time indoors than outdoors, the risk to human health
from indoor air pollution was shown to be greater than previously thought.
For some pollutants, the exposure may be greater indoors than outdoors.
Certain potentially susceptible people children, persons with lung
diseases or impaired immune systems, and the elderly may be at considerable
risk.
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As the general problem of indoor air pollution was drawing more and
more nationwide attention as a potential health hazard, a particular
type of indoor air pollution radon was causing immediate concern in
certain parts of the country. Epidemiological studies of underground
miners had established a link between exposure to elevated levels of
radon and the development of lung cancer. In the late 1960s and early
1970s, EPA investigated homes in Grand Junction, Colorado, contaminated
by uranium mill tailings, a by-product of uranium mining. The elevated
radon levels found in those homes led to the issuance of the Surgeon
General's guidelines regarding remedial action in houses built on or with
uranium mill tailings.
During the 1970s, EPA also investigated instances of elevated radon
levels in houses built on reclaimed phosphate mines in central Florida.
In 1979, EPA issued guidelines to the State of Florida for remedial
action in existing homes and for new home construction. In 1983, the
Agency began to clean up, under the Superfund program, a number of homes
in New Jersey that were built on industrial radium waste sites.
National attention was focused on the problem of indoor radon in
1984 when a worker at a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania was found to
be living in a house that was contaminated by extremely high levels of
radon. In this case, the radon was being emitted by the natural soil on
which the house was built. Subsequent investigations revealed that
thousands of homes in the Reading Prong, a geological formation that runs
from Pennsylvania through New Jersey and into New York, were contaminated
by naturally-occurring radon. Public concern over the potential health
effects of radon exposure, and the realization that such exposures could
be occurring over wide areas, led to the establishment of EPA's Radon
Action Program directed specifically at the indoor air pollution problem
caused by radon.
Within the federal government, there has been considerable debate
concerning the role of EPA and other federal agencies in researching and
regulating indoor air pollution. Beginning in 1984, Congress began
appropriating resources for EPA to perform research on indoor air quality
and radon mitigation but did not provide guidance as to its role.
To help determine the most appropriate direction to take, in 1986 EPA
asked its Science Advisory Board (SAB) to review its ongoing indoor air
research program and its plan for developing an indoor air research
strategy. The SAB responded by establishing an ad hoc indoor air quality
research review panel and in September 1986, this review was conducted.
The results of that review, appended to the April 10, 1987 submission to
Congress, were largely favorable and the SAB encouraged EPA to pursue its
plan to develop a long term research strategy. The first step in this
process was to produce the Preliminary Indoor Air Pollution Information
Assessment.
Subsequent to the SAB review of EPA's indoor air program, Congress
passed the Superfund Bill (PL 99-499) which included the Radon Gas and
Indoor Air Quality Research Act as Title IV. Title IV provides a clear
Congressional mandate for an EPA indoor air research program.
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Section 403 of the Stiperfund legislation in part directs the Adminis-
.rctor of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an indoor air
uolity research program designed to contribute to the understanding of
iec?lth problems associated with indoor air pollutants. The statute also
directs that EPA coordinate with federal, state, local, and private
sector research and development efforts related to improvement of indoor
air quality and assess appropriate federal actions to mitigate environ-
mental and health risks associated with indoor air quality problems.
Section 403 of the statute encourages EPA to disseminate information
regarding indoor air pollutant sources and concentrations, high risk
building types, measurement instruments, and health effects, as well as
recommended methods for the prevention and abatement of indoor air pollution.
VI. INDOOR AIR POLICY OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY
The Environmental Protection Agency's ultimate goals in addressing
indoor air quality problems are to adequately characterize and understand
the risks to human health which pollutants pose in indoor environments and
reduce those risks by reducing exposure to indoor pollutants and to do so
through efficient utilization of available resources.
The Agency's indoor air program will seek to reduce the risks to
human health posed by indoor air pollution through the pursuit of the
following policy objectives:
1. The Agency will conduct research and analysis to further refine
its assessment of the nature and magnitude of the health and welfare
problems posed by individual air pollutants as well as pollutant"
mixtures indoors.Such research will focus in the near term on
improvement of exposure data, continued development and testing of
modeling tools necessary to perform essential risk assessments and
the development and consolidation of data bases. Development of
appropriate ranking and risk assessment tools will be a top priority
in this effort.
2. The Agency will identify and assess the full range of mitigation
strategies available to address high priority indoor air pollution
problems.! Equal emphasis will be placed on strategies which reduce
or eliminate the source of the risk as well as on more generic
strategies which may reduce exposures, and thus risks, to multiple
pollutants simultaneously (e.g. ventilation-related strategies).
3. For identified high risk, high priority problems, the Agency
will adopt ancf execute appropriate mitigation strategies.These
mitigation strategies may involve one or more of the foilowing:
issuing regulations (under existing regulatory authorities
(e.g. TSCA, FIFRA, Safe Drinking Water Act);
-- building State and local government and private sector
capability to address indoor air quality problems through
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non-regulatory programs of Information dissemination,
technical assistance, guidance, and training;
referring problems to other Federal agencies with appropriate
statutory authority (e.g. CPSC, HUD);
requesting separate Indoor air regulatory authority from
Congress 1f deemed appropriate.
The Agency's strategy for Implementing the provisions of Title IV
and achieving the policy goals delineated above 1s based upon several
guiding principles.
Although EPA's historical and traditional approach to environmental
problem solving has been primarily regulatory In nature, the Indoor air
Issue presents unique problems and Issues for which regulatory solutions
may not always be the most effective.
Since Indoor air pollution problems are primarily a function of
the products and materials used within specific building settings, the
character of the problem will be different 1n each setting and the most
appropriate mitigation strategy will depend on a variety of factors.
In many Instances, the Agency hopes to be able to achieve Its Indoor
air policy goals through non-regulatory approaches which will Include
research and development, Information dissemination, and technical assistance
and training. To a large extent, the Agency's success 1n reducing the
risks to human health from indoor air pollution will depend upon how
successfully the Agency is able to build public and private sector
capability to Investigate, assess, and solve indoor air quality problems,
to affect change in product purchasing and use, and to change building
design and operation to minimize the risks from indoor air pollution.
To the extent that specific chemicals or materials may be identi-
fied as posing significant risks to human health, the Agency will, if
appropriate, utilize existing statutory authorities (e.g. TSCA, FIFRA,
Safe Drinking Water Act) or refer the problem to other Federal agencies
to mitigate those risks.
Title IV of SARA requires the Agency to assess appropriate federal
actions in the indoor air field. Part of this assessment will involve
an analysis of whether additional regulatory authority is appropriate and
should be recommended to deal with indoor air pollution.
The Agency will be striving for maximum efficiency in the expenditure
of resources 1n order to produce Information directly useful for charac-
terizing both acute and chronic health risks 1n the indoor environment
and for reducing exposures that pose the most significant health risks.
Since the Information and guidance developed as an outgrowth of the
research program must have practical and timely utility to the various
public and private audiences concerned about indoor air pollution, some
resources will be targeted 1n the short term to the development and
dissemination of information on well documented problems and solutions.
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Third, the Agency will seek to pursue a dual-approach research
program In order to achieve a balance of generic and source-specific
mitigation strategies to achieve maximum risk reduction. While reducing
or eliminating exposures to specific sources known to pose significant
health risks will be a high priority, the Agency also intends to undertake
research and develop strategies which can address multiple pollutants or
mixtures simultaneously (e.g., through programs that address building
management strategies).
Fourth, the Agency's research and information dissemination program
will seek to maximize coordination and information sharing among various
private and public agencies and organizations, especially among agencies
with existing regulatory authority over indoor air problems.
VII. ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE
The Agency has been conducting both regulatory and non-regulatory
indoor air activities as well as research into indoor air problems for
the past several years. From a regulatory standpoint, the Agency has
addressed a number of chemicals, including several pesticides, found
indoors through the use of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). These
statutes enable EPA to obtain information on chemical substances from
manufacturers and processors when there is reason to believe that the use
of these substances may present an unreasonable risk to human health and
the environment. Based on assessments of risks and benefits, the Agency
determines whether or not an unreasonable risk exists for a specific
compound and, if so, it can take action to control exposure to the sub-
stance, restrict its use, or ban the substance entirely.
To date, the Agency has taken a number of actions under various
statutes on specific chemicals that have been found to pose risks Indoors.
EPA has issued the Asbestos Worker Protection Rule to protect public
employees not covered by OSHA from exposure to asbestos during abatement
activities. The Agency has also proposed to phase out commercial uses of
asbestos over a ten year period. This proposed rule ~ known as the
Asbestos Ban and Phase Down Rule « will significantly reduce future uses
of asbestos and exposure to asbestos fibers in all environments, including
indoors. The proposed Asbestos in Schools Rule was just issued under the
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) passed by Congress in
October 1986. This rule will require schools to inspect for asbestos,
prepare management plans, and take appropriate response action when
friable asbestos is found.
In 1986, EPA prohibited the use of pentachlorophenol as a wood
preservative for treatment of logs for log-home construction. Creosote
and pentachlorophenol were also prohibited as preservatives indoors,
with very few exceptions.
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In 1983, EPA issued a phase-out of fumigating devices containing the
pesticide Undane, used to control pests 1n residences. As of May 1986,
such use of Undane 1s prohibited. The Agency is currently evaluating
monitoring data received from manufacturers on chlordane as well as
examining the health effects and benefits data for chlordane and other
term1t1c1des,such as heptachlor and aldrin/dieldrin to determine if
further regulatory action is necessary. A decision is expected on these
compounds in 1987.
On April 16th, the Agency announced the results of Its risk assess-
ment on formaldehyde, a probable human carcinogen. While decision-making
options are being considered, studies are being conducted of formaldehyde
emissions from plywood and particle board used in mobile and conventional
homes. The findings of these and other studies are being shared with the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and with the Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for their use in considering
regulatory action.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA is currently considering
establishing maximum contaminant levels for volatile organic compounds.
Such compounds vaporize in hot water and are then Inhaled.
Through the Agency's air research program, progress has been made on
several fronts. For example, through EPA's Air Toxics research effort,
the Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) was developed and vali-
dated. TEAM studies rely on state-of-the-art personal and ambient exposure
monitors, plus a unique blend of scientific approaches to determine human
exposure to pollutants. The initial TEAM studies, which focused on
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), provided critical evidence of the
extremely high concentrations of VOCs indoors. In some cases, these
indoor concentrations exceeded outdoor levels by 500%. The TEAM approach
is currently being expanded to address exposure to particulate emissions.
In addition, this approach is being used in a study of pesticide exposure.
Through the Innovative Integrated Air Cancer Program, EPA has been able
to develop and field test instruments and methods to characterize carcinogens
in ambient and indoor air, to identify the sources of these emissions,
and to evaluate complex mixtures of pollutants to discover the most
potent components of these mixtures and screen for possible health effects.
As part of a cooperative effort with the Peoples Republic of China,
EPA is conducting a study of lung cancer in Xuan Wei, a county in south-
eastern China. It Is thought that the county's abnormally high rates of
lung cancer are linked to indoor exposure to particle-bound organic
compounds from the coal and wood cooking and heating fuels used by the
residents of Xuan Wei. Through this study, EPA has already developed and
tested a medium volume sampler to test ambient indoor air and developed a
prototype personal exposure monitor for particles. Both of these devices
are being used now in the Integrated Air Cancerprogram and in the Agency's
studies of Indoor air quality. Also as a result of the study in China,
EPA has been able to test innovative bioassay techniques. Some of these
are being refined and will be further used in studies of indoor air
health effects.
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Several significant advances have been made through specific health
effects and source characterization studies. For instance, the exposure
portion of a clinical study of children whose parents smoke cigarettes
has just been completed. A pilot field study has been initiated to
examine the levels of nicotine in children of smoking parents as well as
to evaluate indoor levels of nicotine and other pollutants in the homes
where the children live.
EPA has a special testing chamber in which the Agency has pioneered
research to determine the composition and rate of pollutant emissions for
several common building materials and consumer products. Among the
products tested so far are construction adhesives, flooring materials,
paints, floor waxes, and moth crystals.
Significant progress has also been made in the standardization of
emission testing procedures and in the development of much needed personal
and fixed monitoring equipment for assessing human exposures to indoor
air pollutants. EPA is also conducting studies to develop a model which
can be used to estimate exposure from volatilization of chemicals
from tap water into the home.
EPA's research on indoor air quality is complemented by important
research being conducted by other federal agencies. For example, the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has advanced knowledge about
emissions from sources commonly found in homes, including combustion
appliances and products containing formaldehyde and methylene chloride.
CPSC has also initiated studies on humidifiers, which can spawn biological
contaminants.
In addition, the Department of Energy has conducted studies on the
relationship between indoor air quality and energy conservation, including
measurement and modeling for both large and small buildings. DOE is also
conducting basic radon studies, including health effects, epidemiological,
and building science studies. EPA and DOE are close to finalizing a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate the two programs. Under
this MOU, DOE will have primary responsibility for basic research, with a
primary focus on health effects. EPA will be responsible for applied
research, technical studies, and operational programs dealing with the
states and the private sector.
The Department of Health and Human Services coordinates and provides
the major funding for a large joint federal study of health effects from
exposure to indoor and outdoor pollutants which is known as the Harvard
"Six Cities" study. In addition, the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted over 400 investigations of sick
building complaints.
Historically, EPA has recognized the need for interagency approaches
to pollution research, as illustrated by its continuing cooperation in
the Harvard "Six Cities" study and associated efforts. Likewise, EPA
was a major player in the highly praised exposure assessment studies in
Kingston-Harriman, Tennessee. This philosophy continues in EPA, perhaps
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best illustrated by the Agency's current plans to participate in the Third
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III), sponsored
by the National Center for Health Statistics. In addition, EPA participated
in the National Academy of Science (NAS) study which led to the Surgeon
General's recent announcement on environmental tobacco smoke and health.
VIII. NEAR-TERM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
As a result of preparing the information assessment, EPA was able
to identify several categories of research and programmatic activities
which require immediate attention and which appear to be clearly in
EPA's jurisdiction. These categories can be grouped as follows:
A. Problem Characterization -- determining the extent of the
indoor air pollution problem, identifying pollutants and sources of
particular concern, and assessing the health and welfare risks to the
general population and particularly susceptible subsets of the population.
B. Mitigation -- developing methods, guidelines, and equipment for
mitigating indoor air pollution and determining where pollutants can be
controlled at their source.
C. Information Dissemination -- providing the information gathered
to the appropriate audiences in a usable format.
EPA's plan to implement a near-term indoor air quality program draws
on the extensive amount of information amassed in the information assess-
ment (Appendix A). The implementation plan also reflects insights gained
from the report, Indoor Air Pollution: The Magnitude and Anatomy of
Problems and Solutions, prepared for the Office of Air and Radiation.
and currently being circulated for comment by technical reviewers inside
the Agency. Finally, the plan attempts to establish realistic priorities
for carrying out an indoor air research and information dissemination
program within the framework of current resources.
It should be noted that research activities now being conducted
reflect research priorities as they were understood at the time when
individual project funding decisions were being made. Descriptions of
these specific research projects are provided for the FY 1987 EPA indoor
air research program in Appendix B. While each of the research projects
now underway will add significantly to the Agency's understanding of
indoor air pollution, subsequent funding decisions will be made on a task-
by-task basis as the Agency's long-range implementation plan evolves.
In pursuing their responsibilities within this implementation plan,
both OAR and ORD will seek to make the best use of the resources now
available. Other EPA offices also contribute to the coordinated indoor
air program. For example, the Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances
can provide significant information about exposure, health effects, and
such things as total exposure assessment, multiple sources and exposure,
and other critical issues from data which that office has collected from
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manufacturers of products and pesticides. EPA also recognizes that many
other public and private sector organizations are making significant, and
often pioneering, contributions in this field. Wherever possible EPA
intends to coordinate its activities with those of other organizations
working toward common goals.
1. PROBLEM CHARACTERIZATION
EPA will refine its understanding of the scope and magnitude of the
indoor air pollution problem by increasing the available knowledge about
indoor air quality problems and then ranking those problems for further
research and mitigation in order to make efficient use of available
resources. EPA's priority near-term activities in this area are as follows:
A. Develop models and data bases to estimate indoor concentrations
and exposure.
The potential for developing indoor air quality models and supportive
data bases useful in understanding the nature and magnitude of the indoor
air quality problem is great. Relying solely on monitoring efforts to
fill in the information gaps on the number of pollutants and range of
building types would be prohibitively expensive. EPA will support the
development of models that will identify important sources and building
factors affecting indoor air quality, that will quantify exposure reduc-
tions to be achieved from different mitigation options, and that will
serve as an important tool for public or private building investigators
to use in identifying and solving problems found in specific problem
buildings. The Agency will also examine the extensive data bases maintained
by the Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances to determine their
utility in assessing indoor air exposures and health risks.
The titles of specific research projects now underway which support
this effort are listed below:
0 General Indoor Air Pollution Concentration Model
0 Receptor Models for Assessing Indoor Levels and Sources of
Respirable Particulates
0 Measurement of Indoor Spatial and Temporal Concentration
Gradients for Indoor Environments
0 Initiate Investigation of the Composition of the Indoor
Particulate Size Distribution
0 Limited Scale Field Study to Test Survey Methodology
and Relate Indoor Air Quality to Exposure
0 Indoor Source Emissions Data Base
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0 Evaluation of Field Methods to Estimate ETS Exposure in
Ep1dem1ological Studies
0 Personal Activity Related Exposure to ETS in Airliner Cabins
and Other Transportation Related Environments
0 Develop and Test Revised Screening and Source Use Questionnaires
for Indoor Air Quality Studies
0 Field Evaluation of Sampling and Analysis for Organic Pollutants
in Indoor Air
0 Evaluation of Sampling and Analytical Methods for Nicotine and PAHs
0 Field Evaluation and Final Modification of Prototype Dual Channel
Particulate Sampler
0 Assess the Effectiveness of Currently Available Screening Techniques
for Indoor Pollutants
0 Initiate Methods Development for Polar Organic Compounds
0 Development of Electrochenical Real Time Detector for
0 Methods Development/Intercomparison for VOCs
0 Development of a Versatile Unobtrusive Indoor Air Quality
Sampling Package
B. Develop health-based information for individual indoor air
pol 1 utants~i
A high priority need is the development and review of indoor air
quality exposures and health effects data. Such information is a neces-
sary ingredient of improved risk assessments, priority setting, and
decision-making. In addition, such health-based criteria could play an
essential role in the diagnosis and mitigation of problems in buildings.
The Agency intends to hold a specialized workshop on exposure data and
analysis. EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) will be
expanded to include inhalation reference dose levels for air pollutants
found indoors. Improvements in risk assessments of carcinogenic pollutants
will also be done.
The following research projects are ongoing to support this near-
term objective:
0 Biological Markers for ETS in Human Exposure Assessment
0 Development of Biological Markers for Molecular Dosimetry
Resulting from Exposure to ETS
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Evaluation and Improvement of Cotlnlne as a Blomarker of ETS
Exposure 1n Children and Adults
Indoor A1r Studies of the Mutagenic and Carcinogenic Emissions
from Unvented Combustion Sources
c.
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Effect of Peak Exposure to N0£ on Respiratory Symptoms and
Pulmonary Function
Respiratory Effects of Indoor Formaldehyde Exposure
Improve knowledge about the health and productivity effects of
volatile organic compound (VOC) mixtures commonly found indoors.
Recent studies in Denmark show that VOC mixtures at levels similar to
those found in homes may cause sensory irritation and behavioral effects
such as memory loss. This research is provocative because the effects
are similar to those described by building occupants suffering from
"Sick Building Syndrome." In addition, the effects observed cannot be
explained by the presence of any single pollutant. Research on health
and productivity effects of VOC mixtures has the potential for increasing
understanding of sick building syndrome, improving risk assessments on
mixtures, and assessing the effectiveness of generic control strategies
affecting multiple pollutants and sources. EPA will undertake a modified
replication of the Danish studies of VOC mixtures.
Three research projects are underway in this area. They are:
0 Neurobehavioral and Sensory Irritant Effects of Complex
VOC Mixtures in Humans
0 Trigeminal Sensitivity of "Sick Building" Responders
0 Genetic Bioassay Studies of Volatile Organic Chemicals
Emitted from Building Materials
2. MITIGATION
EPA will assess potential mitigation and prevention strategies and
will implement those it deems appropriate under existing statutory
authorities for high priority problems. Mitigation efforts will address
both "generic" mitigation needs and source-specific needs. The near-term
program priorities in assessing mitigation options and taking actions to
reduce or prevent risks are as follows:
-13-
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A. Develop guidelines and protocols for diagnosing, assessing and
mltigatlng" ihdbor ai r qua!ity problems.
EPA will focus on developing methods and protocols for diagnosing,
assessing, and mitigating indoor air quality problems. Such tools will
increase the capacity of the public and private sector to identify and
solve indoor air quality problems of immediate and local concern. EPA
will cooperate with other federal agencies and the private sector in the
standardization of protocols and diagnostic and remedial services.
Examples of needed equipment and techniques which EPA may work singly or
in combination with others to produce are: 1) an air exchange rate monitor;
2) measurement protocols; and 3) occupant survey instruments to assess
whether and how exhibited symptoms are building related.
EPA has one research project currently ongoing in this area:
0 Indoor Air Quality Evaluation of Three Office Buildings
B. Identify measures to improve ventilation efficiency and issue
guidance to" encourage use of these measures, as appropriate.
Improvements in ventilation efficiency (the efficient delivery of air
through the ventilation system to building occupants) have the potential
to substantially reduce the exposure of building occupants to harmful in-
door air quality. Such improvements may include some or all of the following:
insuring delivery of air that meets codes, insuring the proper location
of intake and exhaust registers, adding circulating fans and air cleaners
where appropriate, and installing heat recovery systems for energy conser-
vation, and insuring the proper design of interior spaces to improve air
movement. In the near term, EPA will assemble and distribute existing
information and, in cooperation with others, such as DOE, the American
Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
and others, will identify methods of improving ventilation efficiency.
One research project is underway in support of this area:
0 Develop Low Cost Easy-to-Use Procedures for Determining Air
Exchange Rate
C. Identify problems associated with specific sources, and develop
source control strategies, as appropriate.
The Agency has undertaken, or is considering, programs to reduce risks
from specific sources (e.g. asbestos, radon, formaldehyde). Because of the
variety of indoor sources, EPA will concentrate on identifying and
assessing risks associated with sources common to all building types with
a known potential for high risk. At this time, three source categories
have been identified for targeted actions.
-14-
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1. Environmental tobacco smoke (ET$)«' ETS 1s known to cause high
Individual and aggregate risks.Published risk estimates of lung cancer
deaths 1n nonsnokers from ETS range from about 500 to 5000 per year1 and
total mortality estimates range from about 4,000 to 50,000 deaths per
year 2and 3. Although not based on quantitative risk reductions, recent
reports by the Surgeon General and the National Academy of Science have
confirmed the fact that ETS poses a range of health threats to nonsmokers.
While additional specialized research needs have been Identified by the
scientific community on ETS (e.g., 1n assessing the value of cotlnlne as
a biological marker, and dose-response relationships), sufficient Infor-
mation already exists on ETS to Indicate that a shift 1n emphasis from
research to providing guidance on mitigating risks 1s appropriate.
2. Biological Contaminants: Some biological contaminants (e.g.,
Leglonella) are responsible for mortality from acute exposures; others
(e.g., mycotoxlns) may pose chronic health risks. Biologicals are common
to all buildings. Frequent sources of biologicals are the heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning system and humldlfers (units that
either stand-alone or within HVAC systems). EPA will work closely with
the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and others to get
unresolved Issues Identified and addressed. The Agency 1s planning a
workshop on health effects of blologlcals to be held 1n FY89 under the
sponsorship of the Task Force on Environmental Cancer and Heart and Lung
Disease.
3. Common Sources of VOCs: Chronic exposure to some VOCs 1s suspected
to contribute to mortality from cancer. Many VOCs are cancer-causing
agents. Common sources of VOCs found 1n most buildings Include building
materials and furnishings, paints and related products, cleaning, disin-
fecting, and odor control products, and pesticides. EPA will conduct
research on building materials and furnishings in chamber laboratories
and a test house; other common VOC sources are also candidates for targeted
research over the next two to five years. Other offices within EPA
(e.g., Office of Drinking Water) will also have significant information
on exposure and health effects associated with VOCs.
The following research projects currently support this effort:
0 Support for the Canadian Multipollutant Indoor A1r Quality Study
0 Test House Studies of Indoor Sources
1 Repace and Lowery. Quantative Estimate of Non-Smokers' Lung Cancer Risk
from Passive Smoking. Environment International, Volume 11, pp. 3-22.
2 Fong. Hazards of Cigarette Smoke to Non-Smokers. Journal of Biological
Physics, Volume 10, pp. 65-73.
3 Russell, Jarvls, and West. Use of Urinary Nicotine Concentrations to
Estimate Exposure and Mortality from Passive Smoking 1n Non-Smokers.
British Journal of Addiction, Volume 81, pp. 317-323.
-15-
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0 Engineering Evaluations of Air Cleaners for Indoor Organic Vapors
0 Support of the Library of Congress S1ck Building Syndrome Study
0 Chamber Studies of Organic Emissions from Unvented Combustion
Sources
0 Chamber Studies of Organic Emissions from Material Sources
3. INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
A non-regulatory program depends upon Informing people of the nature
of the problem, the associated risks, and the options for taking preventive
or corrective actions as the means to achieve risk reduction. Therefore,
a major section of this implementation plan is devoted to outlining the
types of information which EPA intends to produce.
Information that EPA provides in the near term will focus on
increasing the capability of public and private sector organizations to
diagnose and solve indoor air quality problems by providing materials
based on existing information. EPA will also identify key groups (e.g.
architects, builders, building owners and managers, and health, consumer
and environmental organizations) to build information programs that will
inform their membership and the public about significant indoor air
quality problems and solutions. EPA intends to produce the following
priority materials:
1. Public policy statement: EPA plans to issue a public policy
statement (e.g., press release) that identifies the major risks to public
health from indoor air and the steps that EPA is taking to reduce those
risks. The policy statement will be based on the policy goals and
objectives described above.
2. Brochures for the general public: The first general interest
publications which EPA is planning to produce are: 1) a directory of
resources at the Federal, State, and local level to which the public can
go for information on indoor air quality problems; and 2) a brochure on
practical, readily available steps that the public can take to reduce
exposure to indoor air pollution, especially in their homes.
3. State and local technical assistance: EPA will offer support to
state and local governments, within constraints of funding and staff, as
the primary levels of government to which the public should turn for help
in assessing and solving their immediate indoor air quality problems.
The Agency is planning to undertake a series of activities in cooperation
with state and local officials to identify their priority needs.
4. Comments on standards, guidance or codes established by other
public and private sector organizations: EPA has offered technical comments
on the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (ASHRAE
62-81) and the indoor air quality policy which the General Services
-16-
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Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard for Acceptable Indoor A1r Quality (ASHRAE
62-81) and the Indoor air quality policy which the General Services
Administration 1s writing for federal buildings. EPA's input is particu-
larly valuable because of the Agency's understanding of the health impli-
cations of the many technical issues under discussion. EPA will
continue to offer comments on guidance or regulations developed by other
organizations.
5. Guideline development: EPA will offer technical guidance to
other public and private sector organizations including: 1) a manual on
diagnosis, prevention, and mitigation of indoor air quality problems, to
be developed jointly with several private sector organizations; and 2) a
manual on risk reduction strategies for environmental tobacco smoke to be
jointly developed with DHHS.
Three research tasks are being conducted which contribute to the
Agency's efforts to disseminate information. They are:
0 Annual Review of Existing Indoor Air Quality Data to Determine
Direction of Future Programs
0 Review Symposium of Indoor Air Quality Research Assessment Document
0 Support to Committee on Indoor Air Quality
IX. LONG-TERM RESEARCH NEEDS
One recommendation which came out of the SAB's review of EPA's
indoor air research program was that EPA should evaluate existing data
and develop a research needs statement for indoor air. The first result
of this was production of the Preliminary Indoor Air Pollution Information
Assessment, which evaluated relevant data reported from over 2,000 studies.
This document was peer-reviewed at a workshop held at Harvard University
in January 1987. The reviews were generally favorable and essentially
all of the suggested changes have been incorporated in the document as it
exists now. It is not final, however, and additional workshops will be
held in 1987 to ensure that the document is complete and up-to-date.
It was from this assessment that the first draft of the Research
Needs Statement (RNS) was derived. When final, the RNS will provide
a foundation on which to build EPA's indoor air quality research program
and, EPA believes, the research programs of other interested federal
agencies as well. The RNS attempts to classify general areas of research
needs ralated to indoor air and identify specific activities which should
be carried out to complete the data bases. This document takes a two-track
approach to indoor air research by dividing needs into two broad categories,
source-specific needs and "generic" needs. The generic needs category
includes such things as total exposure assessment, multiple sources and
exposure routes, the contribution of human activity patterns to exposure.
-17-
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Although the draft RNS was prepared by EPA as a logical follow-up
to the information assessment, it does not address only those research
needs which EPA considers to be within its area of concern. Instead,
the document focuses strictly on perceived research needs, and makes no
attempt to identify which agencies, if any, should be responsible tor
addressing each need. This was done deliberately, to provide a picture
of what appears to be the whole spectrum of indoor air research needs.
In this way, the respective agencies can identify what has been done,
what they will address, what will be addressed by others, and what is
perhaps not being addressed at all.
The first draft of the RNS was circulated to the CIAQ agencies in
April 1987. The initial comments received were generally favorable, but
the agencies are still engaged in a detailed review of the document.
The RNS is not submitted as part of this report to Congress. There are
several reasons for EPA's decision not to include the RNS. The RNS
reflects more than just EPA-related research needs. Also, the document
is still in review by federal agencies and has not yet been submitted to
scientific peer review. Since the RNS has a scope which far exceeds
EPA's exclusive responsibilities, it is necessary to involve other agencies
in any further development of the document. EPA does intend to submit
the draft RNS to the SAB, however, as promised in response to the SAB
recommendations on EPA's indoor air quality research program.
Currently, several internal discussions are being planned within EPA
to discuss the role that the CIAQ should play in further development of
the RNS and the role that the RNS should play in research planning efforts
by other agencies. The next CIAQ meeting is scheduled for July 10, 1987.
The largest part of the agenda will be devoted to further discussions of
these issues. At the present time, EPA intends to recommend that the RNS
be used to drive the development of long range research plans for all
affected federal agencies. In that case, further development of the
document should be made with input from the CIAQ, with EPA having lead
responsibility.
In the meantime, the Agency's Science Advisory Board is proceeding
with the establishment of a standing subcommittee to provide advice to
EPA in carrying out its indoor air quality research program. Membership
on this subcommittee will consist of scientifically credentialled
representatives from academia, industry, consumer groups, state and local
agencies and other interested organizations. EPA will ask this group to
review the current draft of the RNS as well as the information assessment.
EPA will then integrate the comments from CIAQ agencies and the SAB
Advisory Subcommittee into a needs document which can be a valuable tool
for everyone in the indoor air research community.
During the next year, EPA will be developing a long-term plan for its
indoor air research and program activities. EPA is actively encouraging
all of the CIAQ agencies to do likewise. In October 1988, EPA is required
under the provisions of SARA Title IV to submit another report to Congress
-18-
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on indoor air. This report must identify the indoor air quality activities
carried out under Title IV and make appropriate recommendations. The
report will also identify what EPA believes to be the role of the federal
government in addressing indoor air quality problems. To do this, it
will be necessary for EPA to coordinate with each of the concerned federal
agencies to identify and articulate their long-term roles in indoor air
qua!ity.
X. MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION
A. Coordinating Committees
EPA will use several committees in an advisory and coordinating
capacity. Through them, OAR and ORD will develop and coordinate indoor
air-related activities.
o
Coordination of indoor air quality policy and programmatic
activities within EPA is accomplished through an ad-hoc task force with
representatives from all concerned program offices. In the future, this
task force will meet on a regular basis to exchange information and
review and comment on the policy and program plans of involved offices.
0 Title IV of SARA directs EPA to take a number of steps to ensure
that the Agency's indoor air activities are well coordinated with the
scientific community and other public and private sector interests. Title
IV requires a broadly-based committee made up of representatives from the
non-federal public and private sectors to advise the Agency on research
and policy actions to implement the indoor air program. OAR and ORD are
making arrangements for such a committee, to be established under the
auspices of the Agency's Science Advisory Board.
0 SARA Title IV also requires a federal advisory committee. This
committee is constituted as the Interagency Committee on Indoor Air Quality
(CIAQ). CIAQ, co-chaired by EPA, the Department of Energy, the Department
of Health and Human Services and the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
coordinates research on indoor air quality, provides for the exchange of
information among federal agencies, and develops federal responses to
indoor air quality issues.
B. Roles of EPA Offices
A number of offices within EPA have responsibilities related to
indoor air quality:
o
The Office of Program Development (OPD) within the Office of Air
and Radiation (OAR) has primary responsibility for establishing indoor
air policy and coordinating the activities of various EPA offices. In
addition, OPD serves as the focal point for Agency policy coordination
with other federal agencies, state and local governments, and the private
sector.
-19-
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0 The Office of Research and Development (ORD) has primary responsi-
bility for the technical aspects of the indoor air quality research
program called for under Title IV of SARA as well as other research
related to Indoor air quality. In this capacity, ORD assesses research
gaps, establishes research priorities in cooperation with the Office of
Program Development (OPD), and carries out research to fulfill established
program and policy objectives, and coordinates research with other Federal
agencies and the private sector.
0 The Office of Radiation Programs (ORP) within the Office of Air
and Radiation has primary responsibility for implementing the Agency's
Radon Action Program and carrying out the radon research program mandated
by SARA Title IV. ORP coordinates its activities through the Radon Work
Group and the Radon Management Committee. (ORD is responsible for the
radon mitigation demonstration portion of the Radon Action Program.)
0 The Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPTS) is responsible
for regulating pesticides and toxic substances, some of which are used
indoors and contribute to indoor air pollution. Chemical testing by
industry under TSCA and FIFRA and research and surveys done through OPTS
programs provide needed information on exposure and health risks. In
addition OPTS authorities have been and can be used for mitigating
chemical-specific problems such as the use of asbestos as a building
material.
0 The Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation (OPPE) has
general responsibility for reviewing policy developed by the program
offices.
0 The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS), although
not directly involved in indoor air quality activities, has developed
some expertise on indoor air and human activity patterns in implementing
the ambient air programs. Their knowledge and data will be drawn on in
developing the indoor air quality program.
o
The Office of Water (OW) sets standards for pollutants in drinking
water, some of which are of concern for their ability to volatilize and
contribute to the indoor air pollution problem.
0 The EPA regional offices serve as the contact between EPA and State
and local governments.
C. Roles and Responsibilities of Other Federal Agencies
EPA is only one of many federal agencies that are either actively
engaged in indoor air research or vitally interested in the research
being conducted. While a more comprehensive description of the relative
roles of various federal agencies will be developed utilizing the CIAQ
in the context of the October 1988 Report to Congress, a brief description
of the areas of concern of the various CIAQ members follows:
-20-
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0 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has regulatory authority
over most sources of indoor air pollution. In that capacity, CPSC focuses
on the determination and reduction of health risks posed by the use of
structural materials, combustion sources, consumer products, and chemicals
used in the home and schools. The Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) and the
Hazardous Substances Act (HSA) provide the basis to establish standards and
institute recalls or bans in order to address identified hazards.
0 Department of Energy (DOE) conducts a variety of activities
related to indoor air quality in support of DOE policies to encourage the
use of advanced energy conservation measures while maintaining a safe and
healthful indoor environment. These activities include identifying indoor
air pollutant sources and factors affecting human exposure, determining
the relationship between indoor air quality and energy conservation, and
developing control and mitigation techniques. Bonneville Power Adminis-
tration (BPA), part of DOE and also a member of CIAQ, conducts similar
research in the Northwest.
0 Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) investigates
buildings for indoor air quality problems (through NIOSH), provides
funding for a major health study of people exposed to indoor and outdoor
pollutants in various areas of the country ("Six Cities Study"), and
conducts health effects studies and develops health data bases (through
NIEHS).
0 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is responsible
for establishing and enforcing standards for properties being financed
with HUD/Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages or assisted
through one of the HUD assisted or directed loan program; HUD also estab-
lishes, manages, and enforces the Federal Manufactured Housing Construction
and Safety Standards. Past research efforts have included developing and
instituting standards for formaldehyde emissions in materials in manu-
factured housing; investigating the problems of radon infiltration in
housing built on mine tailings in Grand Junction, CO and Butte and Helena,
MT; and arranging for tests of radon mitigation approaches on Florida
phosphate lands.
0 Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) indoor air program is primarily
concerned with investigating the interrelationships among building
construction characteristics, energy use, conservation, and indoor air
quality, and with developing public information dissemination approaches.
In addition to establishing these general relationships, exposures of
specific population groups to unique indoor environments, such as those
found in public housing, commercial buildings, and rural housing are
being studied. Indoor air quality in commercial buildings operated by
TVA, as well as the environment in the industrial workplace, is being
investigated.
0 General Services Administr.aton (GSA), develops indoor air quality
policies for federally owned buildings.
-21-
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o
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducts
studies and maintains an extensive data base on pollutants found in
indoor environments.
0 National Bureau of Standards (NBS) develops measurement standards
and through its Center for Building Technology (CBT) conducts laboratory,
field, and analytical research and develops models to predict, measure,
and test the performance of building materials, components, systems, and
practices.
Other federal agencies on the CIAQ include the Department of Defense
(DOD), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Transportation
(DOT), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the
Small Business Administration (SBA).
-22-
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COMMON INDOOR POLLUTANTS, THEIR SOURCES, AND KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS *
POLLUTANT CAIEGORY
POLLUTANT
SOURCES
KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
i
ro
CO
i
I. Inorganic gases | nitrogen dioxide
carbon monoxide
sulfur dioxide
II. Non-biological
particles
III. Biological
pollutants
fine particles
(Including metals)
coarse particles
asbestos
environmental tobacco
smoke
animal dander
gas stoves, garages,
outdoor air
HVAC systems, garages,
tobacco, outdoor air
gas stoves
HVAC systems, kerosene
heaters, garages
combustion
tracked-ln dirt, dusting,
vacuuming,
building materials,
drinking water
human activity
I
human activity, pets
JL
eye and respiratory Irritation, respiratory
function Impairment, allergic/Infectious
diseases, Immune effects
neurotoxlclty, heart function, blood
effects
eye and respiratory Irritation, respira-
tory function Impairment
eye and respiratory Irritation, respiratory
function Impairment, allergic/Infectious
diseases
eye and respiratory Irritation, respiratory
function Impairment, allergic/Infectious
diseases
eye and respiratory Irritation, respiratory
function Impairment, cancer, asbestosls,
mesothelloma
eye and respiratory Irritation, respira-
tory function Imaplrment, developmental
effects, cancer, other organ effects,
allergic/Infectious diseases
respiratory Irritation, allergic/Infec-
tious diseases, Immune effects
* The pollutants listed have been shown to cause the health effects listed. However, It Is not necessarily true that
the effects noted occur at Indoor exposure levels. In many cases the exposure data are Insufficient to determine
the levels at which listed effects would occur.
-------
COMMON INDOOR POLLUTANTS, THEIR SOURCES, AND KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
POLLUTANT CATEGORY
POLLUTANT
SOURCES
KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
i
ro
bacteria, viruses
animal excreta
fabric fibers
human activity, pets,
water supply, outdoor air,
HVAC systems
mammals, Insects,
arachnids
materials/furnishings
Legionnaire's disease, pneumonltls
respiratory Irritation, allergic/Infec-
tious diseases
respiratory Irritation, allergic/Infec-
tious diseases, Immune effects
IV. Radioactive
V. Gas-phase ("vola-
tile") organic
compounds
(Aliphatic hydro-
carbons)
molds, mildew
radon
electromagnetic
radiation
kerosene
mineral spirits
n-hexane
heptane
HVAC systems
soils/rocks,
drinking water
appliances, TV, human
activities
pesticides, automotive
products, combustion
fuel, hobbles, solvents
automotive products,
painting supplies,
hobbles, solvents,
painting supplies, drink-
Ing water, adheslves,
hobbles, laboratories
painting supplies,
adheslves, hobbles
respiratory Irritation, allergic/Infec-
tious diseases, Immune effects
cancer
SUSPECTED OF CAUSING reproductive/devel-
opmental, neurobehavloral effects, cancer
neurotoxlclty
neurotoxlclty
eye and respiratory Irritation, develop-
mental effects.
eye and respiratory Irritation
* The pollutants listed have been shown to cause the health effects listed. However, It Is not necessarily true that
the effects noted occur at Indoor exposure levels. In many cases the exposure data are Insufficient to determine
the levels at which listed effects would occur.
-------
COMMON INDOOR POLLUTANTS. THEIR SOURCES, AND KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
i
ro
in
i
POLLUTANT CATEGORY
(Aromatic hydro-
carbons)
(Halogenated
carbons)
POLLUTANT
n-decane
n-dodecane
tol uen«
styrene
ethyl benzene
benzene
xylenes
p-Dlchlorobenzene
perchl oroethyl ene
methyl ene chloride
1 , 1 , 1-trl chl oroethane
SOURCES
printed material
printed material
cleaners/waxes, painting
supplies, automotive
products, hobbles, build-
ing materials, outdoor
air, drinking water
tobacco smoke, furnishings
drinking water
building materials
drinking water
tobacco smoke, garages
drinking water
Ink, paints, glues
moth crystals, air fresh-
eners, toilet deodorizers.
drinking water
cleaners, dry cleaning
solvents, drinking water
cleaners, painting sup-
plies, hobbles, solvents,
drinking water
cleaners, dry cleaning
solvents, drinking water,
spray can propellents,
fabric protectors
KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
cancer promoter
cancer promoter
eye and respiratory Irritation, neuro-
toxlclty, liver/kidney effects, nutation
blood effects
liver/kidney effects
leukemia, anemia
neurobehavloral effects, headache, eye and
respiratory effects
I1ver/k1dney effects, cancer In animals
liver/kidney effects, cancer In anlmanls
liver/kidney effects, cancer
liver/kidney effects, cancer
* The pollutants listed have been shown to cause the health effects listed. However, It Is not necessarily true that
the effects noted occur at Indoor exposure levels. In many cases the exposure data are Insufficient to determine
the levels at which listed effects would occur.
-------
COMMON INDOOR POLLUTANTS, THEIR SOURCES. AND KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS *
POLLUTANT CATEGORY
POLLUTANT
SOURCES
KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
i
ro
cr>
i
(Alcohols)
I
propylene d1chloride
chlordane
ethylene dlchloride
polyvinyl chloride
vinyl chloride
freon
polychlorlnated
blphenyls
methyl chloride
carbon tetrachlorlde
trlchloroethylene
chloroform
Isopropanol
painting supplies
pesticides,
drinking water
hobbles, pesticides
building materials
furnishings/apparel, out-
door air, drinking water
liver/kidney effects
neurotoxlclty, liver/kidney effects,
cancer
I1ver/k1dney effects
liver/kidney effects, cancer
liver/kidney effects, cancer
appliances, drinking water) heart function
mutation, cancer
appliances, drinking
water, power supplies
tobacco, drinking water
cleaners/waxes, furnish-
ings/apparel, solvents,
drinking water
solvents, outdoor air,
drinking water, cosmetics,
secretarial aids, drinking
water
outdoor air, drinking
water, chlorine bleach,
chlorine scouring powder
cleaners/waxes, cos-
metics, automotive
products, hobbles
liver/kidney effects
I1ver/k1dney effects, cancer In animals
liver/kidney effects, cancer 1n animals
liver/kidney effects, cancer
eye and respiratory Irritation
* The pollutants listed have been shown to cause the health effects listed. However, It Is not necessarily true that
the effects noted occur at Indoor exposure levels. In many cases the exposure data are Insufficient to determine
the levels at which listed effects would occur.
-------
COMMON INDOOR POLLUTANTS, THEIR SOURCES, AND KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS *
POLLUTANT CATEGORY
POLLUTANT
SOURCES
KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
i
ro
(Ketones)
ethanol
metHanoi
ethyl ene glycol
benzyl alcohol
phenol
cresol
acetone
ethyl ethyl ketone
methyl Isobutyl
ketone
cleaners/waxes, cos-
metics, hobbles,
printed materials.
laboratories
painting supplies,
hobbles, outdoor air,
office equipment,
laboratories
automotive products,
outdoor air
hobbles
tobacco, outdoor air
outdoor air
cleaners/waxes, adheslves,
cosmetics, hobbles,
tobacco, outdoor air,
laboratories
cleaners/waxes, painting
supplies, adheslves,
automotive products,
outdoor air, drinking
water
painting supplies,
pesticides, hobbles,
outdoor air
developmental effects
neurotox1city
liver/kidney effects
liver/kidney effects
liver/kidney effects
liver/kidney effects
eye and respiratory Irritation
developmental effects
developmental effects
* The pollutants listed have been shown to cause the health effects listed. However, It Is not necessarily true that
the effects noted occur at Indoor exposure levels. In many cases the exposure data are Insufficient to determine
the levels at which listed effects would occur.
-------
COMMON INDOOR POLLUTANTS, THEIR SOURCES, AND KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
POLLUTANT CATEGORY
POLLUTANT
SOURCES
KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
i
fs>
oo
i
(Aldehydes)
(Ethers/esters)
(Organic nitrogen/
phosphorous)
formaldehyde
acetaldehyde
acroleln
alkyI ethoxylate
DEHP
urethane
dloctyl phthalate
malathlon
unspecified amines
trlethanolamlne
Isopropanolamlne
ethyl ene dlamlne
acrylonltrlle
I
1
plywoods/particle boards,
Insulation
adheslves, cosmetics,
hobbles, combustion
combustion, tobacco
cleaners/waxes
hobbles, building
materials, furnishings,
apparel, drinking water
building materials
furnishings, hobbles,
outdoor air
pesticides, drinking water
adheslves
cleaners/waxes, cos- j
metlcs, automotive
products
automotive products
hobbles
furnishings/apparel,
outdoor air, drinking
water |
L
eye and respiratory Irritation,
cancer
eye and respiratory Irritation, cancer
eye and respiratory Irritation
developmental effects
developmental effects, cancer
mutation, cancer
developmental effects, cancer
neurotoxlcity
eye and respiratory Irritation
eye and respiratory Irritation
eye and respiratory Irritation
eye and respiratory Irritation
eye and respiratory Irritation,
neurotoxlclty
* The pollutants listed have been shown to cause the health effects listed. However, It Is not necessarily true that
the effects noted occur at Indoor exposure levels. In many cases the exposure data are Insufficient to determine
the levels at which listed effects would occur.
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COMMON INDOOR POLLUTANTS, THEIR SOURCES, AND KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
POLLUTANT CATEGORY
POLLUTANT
SOURCES
KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
10
i
(Polynuclear aro-
matic compounds)
(Miscellaneous
gas-phase organlcs)
methyl amine
pyridlne
aniline
nltrosodl methyl ami ne
nydrazlne
parathlon
endosulfan
acrylamide
phenanthrene
benzo(a)pyrene
phosphoric add
acetic add
tobacco
tobacco, outdoor air
tobacco, hobbies
tobacco
| tobacco
I
pesticides, outdoor
air, drinking water
outdoor air, drinking
water
outdoor air, drinking
water
HVAC systems, drinking
water
tobacco, combustion,
garages, outdoor air,
drinking water
painting supplies
adhesives
eye and respiratory Irritation
eye and respiratory Irritation,
I1ver/k1dney effects
liver/kidney effects, cancer
cancer
| cancer
neurotoxldty
j neurotoxldty
eye and respiratory Irritation, cancer,
| neurotoxldty
cancer, mutation
cancer, mutation
eye and respiratory irritation
eye and respiratory Irritation
* The pollutants listed have been shown to cause the health effects listed. However, it 1s not necessarily true that
the effects noted occur at indoor exposure levels. In many cases the exposure data are insufficient to determine
the levels at which listed effects would occur.
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