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Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) introduced the Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing poor indoor air quality (IAQ). The legislation seeks to provide the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the necessary resources to mitigate IAQ issues, which have been largely overlooked compared to outdoor air pollution.

Despite progress in managing outdoor air pollution, indoor air contaminants can be significantly higher—sometimes up to 100 times more—than those found outdoors. The EPA’s Science Advisory Board has consistently ranked poor IAQ among the top five environmental risks to public health. Globally, over 3 million people die prematurely each year due to diseases caused by poor IAQ.

“Ensuring that the air children breathe at school is clean and safe is a fundamental priority,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Through our bipartisan legislation, 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.”

Congressman Tonko emphasized the urgency of addressing IAQ: “Despite the immense and urgent threat poor indoor air quality poses, precious little has been done to address this issue. Our bipartisan Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act gives EPA the tools to face this problem head-on by establishing science-based guidelines and promoting effective tools and best practices.”

The legislation has garnered support from various organizations including Allergy and Asthma Network, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), ASHRAE, American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Austin Air Systems Ltd., Climate Code Blue, First Focus Campaign for Children, Healthy Schools Network, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), International WELL Building Institute, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Moms Clean Air Force, RMI, National Education Association, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), U.S. Green Building Council, and WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act aims to:

- Update and expand EPA’s Indoor Environments Division.

- Require EPA to establish a list of significant indoor contaminants with health-based guidelines.

- Develop or recognize voluntary certifications for buildings designed to minimize indoor air health risks.

- Establish a national assessment of IAQ in schools and childcare facilities while supporting technical assistance and best practices for improving these conditions.

Further details on the bill can be accessed through provided links.