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454F91001
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Radiation
ANR-445W
December 1991
Indoor Air Facts No. 1
EPA and Indoor Air Quality
Background
Most peoplo lire aware that outdoor air pollution
can damage their health but mav not know that
indoor air pollution can also have significant harm-
ful effects U. S Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) :.;udies of human exposure indicate that the
levels lor m.inv pollutants mav be 2-5 times higher
indoors than outdoors High levels of indoor air
pollu.ants are significant because it is estimated thai
people spend as much as L)()% of their time indoors.
CK er the past several decades, our exposure to in-
door air pollutants has increased due to a variety of
factors, including the construction of well-sealed
buildings, reduced ventilation rates, the use of syn-
thetic building materials and furnishings, and the
use of chemicallv formulated personal care prod-
ucts, pesticides, and household cleaners
In recent vears, comparative risk studies performed
bv EPA's headquarters and regional offices have
consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the
top live environmental risks to people's health
Adverse Effects of Indoor Air Pollution
Long-Term Health Effects
Some health effects mav show up either vears after
exposure has occurred or onl\ alter long or re-
peated periods of exposure and thus can be charac-
terized as long-term health effects These effects,
\\ Inch include respiratoi v diseases and cancer, can
beseveieh debilitating 01 fatal Long-term health
effects are associated w ith sources ol indoor air
pollutants such as radon and asbestos
Immediate Health Effects
Immediate effects, which mav appear attei a single,
high dose exposure or repeated exposures, include
irritation of the e\ es, nose, and throat, headaches;
dizziness, and fatigue These immediate effects are
usually short-term and treatable by some means
Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the
person's exposure to the source of the pollution, if it
can be identified Symptoms of certain diseases,
inclr n^a ''ma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis,
and humiuitier fever, can appear soon after expo-
sure to some indoor air pollutants. When symp-
toms of diagnosable illness can be attributed di-
rectly to airborne building contaminants, they are
referred to as Iniildmg-relnted illness.
In contrast, there are situations in which building
occupants experience symptoms that do not fit the
pattern of any particular illness and are difficult to
trace to any specific source This phenomenon,
referred to by some as sick uuildmg syndrome, is of-
ten temporary, but some buildings have long-term
problems Frequently, problems result when a
building is operated or maintained in a manner that
is inconsistent with its original design or prescribed
operating procedures.
Occupants may complain of one or more of the fol-
lowing symptoms dry or burning mucous mem-
branes in the nose, eyes, and throat, sneezing; stuffy
or runny nose, fatigue or lethargy; headache, dizzi-
ness, nausea, irritability, and forgetfulness. Con-
tributing factors mav include inadequate ventila-
tion, chemical and biological contamination from
indoor or outdoor sources, and other non-pollutant
stressors such as temperature, humidity, lighting,
ergononnc problems, and job-related psychosocial
issues
Initial efforts by EPA to assess the costs of indoor
air pollution (see Rqtorl In Congress on Indoor Air
Qurlil:/,	19$9) concluded that although spe-

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cific ctisl estimates were virtually impossible duo to
data limitations, it was reasonable to estimate that
the costs of indoor air pollution in terms of direct
medical costs and lost productivity were probably
in the tens of billions of dollars per vear The major
types of economic costs associated with indoor air
pollution are direct medical costs for people whose
health is affected by poor indoor air quality and
who receiv e treatment; lost productivity from ab-
sence due to illness, decreased efficiency on the job,
and materials and equipment damages due to expo-
sure to indoor air pollutants
EPA's Indoor Air Quality Program
Legislative Authority
5ttperfuud Amendments and Reauthorization Act
(SARA) Title IV
In October 1986, Congress reauthorized the
Superfund program and included in the bill the
Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Research Act
0	itle IV) Title IV directs EPA to I) gather data
and information on nil aspects of indoor air quality
in order to contribute to the understanding of
health problems associated with the existence of air
pollutants m the indoor environment; 2) coordinate
Federal, State, local, and private research and devel-
opment efforts relating to the improvement of in-
door air quality; and 3) assess appropriate Federal
government actions to mitigate the environmental
and health risks associated with indoor air In addi-
tion, tPA is required to disseminate information to
the public.
Program Highlights
The Indoor Air Division (IAD) conducts a multi-
faceted program designed to achieve two key goals
to enhance scientific understanding and public
awareness of the complex factors that affect indoor
air quality; and to bring about substantial reduc-
tions in human exposure to the entire range of in-
door air pollutants.
1	he Div ision's approach is non-regulatorv, relying
heavily on the development and dissemination of
basic information on indoor air quality to key audi-
ences, including State and local gin ernment offi-
cials, architects and other design professionals, en-
gineers, builders, building owners and managers,
and building occupants Highlights of Division
activities follow
Reducing pollutant levels indoors. The Division
has set a verv high priority on improving the way
hi which buildings are operated, having concluded
that people's exposure to indoor air pollutants can
be reduced significantly by implementing current
knowledge about sound operation and maintenance
practices
Notwithstanding this emphasis on a "buildings
approach," the Agency continues to utilize its com-
bined legislative authorities to identify specific pol-
lutants that present direct health risks in the indoor
environment, and to use a variety of means to re-
duce their lev els indoors
EPA currently is preparing a quantitative risk as-
sessment of lung cancer and other respiratory dis-
eases from environmental tobacco smoke. A second
docun nt, also in progress, is a guide for corporate
and governmental decisionmakers on controlling
involuntary exposure of non-smokers to tobacco
smoke in the workplace.
The Agency recently completed a year long "dia-
logue" with carpet floor covering industries to ex-
plore ways of reducing the emission of volatile or-
ganic compo mds (VOCs) from new carpet and
related installation materials, such as carpet cushion
and adhesives As a result of this voluntary pro-
cess, the carpet industry agreed to test new carpet
floor covering materials for total VOC emissions.
EPA expects to conduct similar discussions with
other industry groups to see whether additional
reductions in indoor pollutant emissions can be
achieved through voluntary actions.
Improving our knoivledge b/ise. IAD is conducting
studies to assess indoor air conditions in the
nation's existing building stock. Special emphasis
is being given to identifying those factors that exert
the greatest influence on overall indoor air quality
(1AQ) and on occupant health symptoms. The in-
formation gamed will be used to improve IAQ di-
agnostic procedures as well as to provide a basis for
evaluating the effectiveness of our pollution reduc-
tion strategies over time Another set of studies
now underway is designed to quantify the costs of
kev indoor air pol!ution control options for typical
building structures
2

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Training key indoor air audiences. Because indoor
air quality problems are a relatively recent phenom-
enon, many of the people who are in thebest(posi-
tion to prevent their occurrence or resolve them
when they do occur are not sufficiently informed
about the issue
Many indoor air quality problems can be avoided
through sound building operation practices, or re-
solved by knowledgeable building personnel with-
out the need for potentially costlv outside assis-
tance. The Division has developed a training
course for building owners to acquaint them with
the guidance contained in Building Air Quality
A Guide for Budding Owners and facility Managers
(December 1991). Because many indoor air quality
problems are best resolved by responsible govern-
ment agencies at the State and local level, the Divi-
sion has developed both a live instructional course
on indoor air quality issues, entitled Orientation to
Indoor Air Quality, and a self-paced learning module
entitled Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (April
1991) for these audiences.
Increasing access to IAQ information. To ensure
that a full range of information about indoor air
quality problems and solutions is readily available
to both the technical and non-technical public, the
Division plans to open a national Indoor Air Qual-
ity Information Center in Spring 1992. This Center
will be equipped with toll-free, operator-assisted
telephone access, and will be able to provide writ-
ten information including fact sheets and brochures,
perform literature searches, and make referrals to
appropriate Federal, State and Regional resources.
Research Activities
EPA's Office of Research and Development con-
ducts a multidisciplinnry research program on in-
door air quality which encompasses studies of the
health effects associated with indoor air pollution
exposure, assessments of indoor air pollution
sources and control approaches; building studies
and investigation methods, risk assessments of in-
door air pollutants; and a recentlv initiated program
on biocontaminants
Other EPA Indoor Air Activities
Radon. The Indoor Radon Abatement Act of 1 OSS
(Title III of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA))
established a national goal of achieving indoor levels
of radon which are no greater than outdoor levels. It
further authorized EPA to undertake a range of ac-
tivities to achieve this goal, including revising public
information materials, providing financial and tech-
nical assistance to States, developing and encourag-
ing the adoption of radon resistant building prac-
tices, establishing training centers, operating indus-
try proficiency programs, and conducting studies in
schools and Federal buildings
Asbestos. Title II of TSCA, the Asbestos Hazard
Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires EPA to
establish a regulatory framework for addressing
asbestos in schools The Agency also must set stan-
dards for accreditation of personnel involved in as-
bestos management or abatement in all non-residen-
ti il buildings. EPA is involved in a range of regula-
tory, grant, and technical assistance activities.
Toxic Substances. TSCA grants EPA broad author-
ity to control chemical substances and mixtures that
present an unreasonable risk of in|ury to health and
the environment. EPA has authority to require test-
ing of chemical substances and mixtures; regulate
hazardous chemical substances and mixtures by
prohibiting or restricting their manufacture, process-
ing, distribution, and disposal; and imposing label-
ing or notification requirements.
Pesticides. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizes EPA to control
pesticide exposures bv requiring that any pesticide
be registered with EPA before it may be sold, distrib-
uted, or used in this country. EPA is evaluating the
health impacts of indoor products including insecti-
cide spravs, terrmticides, and wood preservatives.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The Safe
Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes EPA to set
and enforce standards for contaminants in public
water systems to protect against both health and
welfare effects EPA sets standards for VOCs that
can reach the air through volatilization from water
used in a residence or other building. The Agency is
also conducting studies, under a number of statutes,
to identifv kev sources of VOC emissions in the in-
door environment and explore potential control
strategies

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Federal Agencies with IAQ Information
US Environmental Protection Agency
Public Information Center (PM-211B)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
202-260-2080
Distributee indoor air quality publications
National PesticidesTelecommunications Network
1-800-858-7378
Provides information on pesticides
TSCA Hotline Service
202-554-1404
Provides information on asbestos, PCB, VOCs, and other
toxic substances.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health
Requests for Information:
1-800-35-NIOSH
Conducts research, recommends standards to the U S
Department of Labor, and conducts training on various
issues including indoor air quality to promote safe and
healthful workplaces. Undertakes investigations at re-
quest of employees, employers, other federal agencies, and
state and local agencies to identify and mitigate work-
place problems
Consumer Product Safety Commission
For a copy ofCPSC's booklets about combustion appli-
ances, asbestos, biological pollutants, lead, methylene
chloride, humidifiers, and formaldehyde m your home,
write to-
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
To report an unsafe consumer product or a product-
related injury, call
1-800-638-CPSC
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Promulgates safety and health standards, facilitates
training end consultation, and enforces regulations to
ensure I ,1 vorkers are provided with safe and healthful
working conditions. For further information contact
OSHA Regional Offices in Seattle, San Francisco, Den-
ver; Kansas City, MO, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta; Phila-
delphia, New York; and Boston
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Conservation and Renewable Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW, CE-43
Washington, DC 20585
202-586-9455
Quantifies the relationship among reduced infiltration,
adequate ventilation, and acceptable indoor air quality.

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