news

WASHINGTON, DC — As millions of students, teachers, and faculty across the nation head back to school, Congressmen Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) today reintroduced their Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act, bipartisan legislation that protects public health from poor indoor air quality (IAQ). In particular, the legislation would establish an updated nation-wide assessment of indoor air quality in schools and childcare facilities to improve IAQ conditions.

Studies have shown that indoor contaminants can be 2-5 times—and occasionally 100 times—higher than outdoors. Despite this, and the fact that more than 3 million people globally die prematurely from indoor pollution each year, efforts to address indoor air quality have been largely unacknowledged and underfunded.

“No one should have to suffer the consequences of poor indoor air quality, least of all our kids and students seeking an education at school,” Congressman Tonko said. “Our bipartisan Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act protects the health of our communities by establishing science-based guidelines and delivering effective tools and best practices to minimize indoor health risks. I’m proud to be joined by Congressman Fitzpatrick in pushing this legislation forward to protect the health and wellbeing of our kids and communities.”

“We wouldn’t tolerate toxic air in our homes—why would we accept it in our schools?” said Fitzpatrick. “Clean air isn’t optional—it’s essential for every student and educator in Pennsylvania’s First District and across the nation. That’s why Congressman Tonko and I are driving this bipartisan effort forward: to deliver the tools, oversight, and urgency our schools and students deserve. This is not a partisan issue—it’s a public health imperative, and one we must meet with unity and resolve.”

This bipartisan legislation is supported by numerous groups and organizations, including: 1Day Sooner; Allergy and Asthma Network; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Federation of Teachers; American Industrial Hygiene Association; American Lung Association; ASHRAE; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; Austin Air Systems, Ltd.; Brown University Pandemic Center; Change the Air Foundation; Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation; EcoMadres; Healthy Schools Network; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART); International WELL Building Institute; Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security; Medify Air; Moms Clean Air Force; National Air Duct Cleaners Association; National Education Association; National Institute of Building Sciences; 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 would ensure that EPA has the authority and resources necessary to better protect public health from poor indoor air quality. Specifically, the bill:

• Updates, expands, and codifies the work of EPA’s Indoor Environments Division;
• Requires EPA to establish and regularly update a list of significant indoor contaminants, and develop health-based, voluntary guidelines to reduce exposure risks to these contaminants;
• Directs EPA to develop or recognize one or more voluntary certifications for buildings designed, built, operated, and maintained to prevent or minimize indoor air health risks; and 
• Establishes a regularly updated national assessment of IAQ in schools and childcare facilities, and supports development of technical assistance, guidelines, and best practices to improve the IAQ conditions of these facilities. 

A fact sheet of the bill can be found HERE.