Epa's Role In Regulating Indoor Air Pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a US government agency dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. It was founded in 1970 in response to widespread public environmental concerns that gained traction in the 1950s and 1960s. The EPA regulates outdoor air pollution through policies such as the Clean Air Act (CAA), which requires major stationary sources to install pollution control equipment and meet specific emissions limitations. However, the Clean Air Act does not apply to indoor air pollution, and there is a lack of government oversight in this area. While the EPA provides suggestions and information on improving indoor air quality, the responsibility for regulating indoor air pollution falls on individual states, and even then, there are limitations to their power.

The Clean Air Act

The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments were particularly significant, addressing four major environmental and health threats: acid rain, urban air pollution, toxic air emissions, and stratospheric ozone depletion. These amendments also established a national operating permits program and strengthened enforcement mechanisms. The 1990 Amendments also revised Section 112, requiring the issuance of technology-based standards for "major sources" and certain area sources of hazardous air pollutants.

However, it's important to note that the Clean Air Act primarily focuses on outdoor air pollution, and indoor air pollution remains an area with limited government oversight. While the EPA offers guidance on improving indoor air quality, the responsibility for regulating indoor air pollution falls primarily on individual states, and even their powers are limited in certain areas, such as private residences.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

The Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six principal pollutants, or "criteria" pollutants, that are common in outdoor air, harmful to public health and the environment, and that come from numerous and diverse sources. These six criteria pollutants are:

• Lead
• Carbon Monoxide
• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Sulfur Dioxide
• Particle Pollution
• Ozone Pollution

The Clean Air Act identifies two types of NAAQS: primary standards and secondary standards. Primary standards are designed to protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, including the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Secondary standards are designed to protect the public welfare from adverse effects, including effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, man-made materials, animals, wildlife, weather, visibility, and climate, as well as damage to property, transportation hazards, economic values, and personal comfort and well-being.

The NAAQS are selected by the U.S. EPA Administrator at the conclusion of a public process that takes about five years. The process starts with a comprehensive review of the relevant scientific literature, which is summarized in a document called the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA). Based on the ISA, the EPA performs a risk and exposure assessment, which is summarized in the Risk and Exposure Assessment (REA) document. The third document, the Policy Assessment (PA), integrates the findings and conclusions of the ISA and REA into a policy context and provides lines of reasoning that could support the retention or revision of the existing NAAQS, as well as alternative standards. Each of these three documents is released for public comment and peer review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), a subcommittee of the EPA. Members of CASAC are appointed by the EPA Administrator for their expertise in the subject areas covered in the ISA. The committee’s role is to peer review the NAAQS documents, ensure they reflect the thinking of the scientific community, and advise the Administrator on technical and scientific aspects of standard setting. Each document goes through two to three drafts before being deemed final. Once all three documents are final, they are given to the EPA Administrator to use in selecting a proposed NAAQS, which is released through the Federal Register for public comment. Following the close of the comment period, the Administrator considers the comments received, makes changes to the proposed NAAQS if warranted, and publishes the final NAAQS in the Federal Register.

It is important to note that the NAAQS only applies to outdoor air pollutants. The EPA does not currently have the authority to regulate indoor air pollution, although they do offer assistance and information on improving indoor air quality. The responsibility for regulating indoor air pollution falls to individual states, and some states have enacted laws to address this issue.

State-level regulation

While the EPA provides suggestions and information on improving indoor air quality, the responsibility for regulating indoor air pollution falls on individual states. State-level regulations vary, with some states addressing indoor air pollution and others neglecting it entirely.

State governments have the authority to regulate indoor air quality in public spaces, such as schools and other public buildings. For example, Washington D.C.'s Air Quality Amendment Act of 2014 outlines rights for tenants dealing with mold in residential units. However, state jurisdiction does not typically extend to private residences.

The lack of consistent state-level regulation has led to indoor air pollution being largely overlooked. This is concerning, as indoor air pollution can include various sources such as molds, building materials, carpeting, air fresheners, personal care products, tobacco smoke, and household cleaners. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to infections, allergies, chronic lung diseases like asthma, lung cancer, and other forms of cancer.

Some states have recognized the importance of addressing indoor air quality and are taking proactive measures to improve it. They are encouraging the use of source control, ventilation, and filtration methods to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants. Additionally, they are promoting research to better understand the health effects of indoor air pollutants and the specific concentrations or periods of exposure that contribute to health problems.

Indoor air quality improvement

While the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not regulate indoor air pollution, it offers assistance and information on improving indoor air quality. Individual US states have the power to regulate indoor air pollution, and some do so.

Strategies for improving indoor air quality

There are several strategies that can be used to improve indoor air quality. These include:

• Source control: The most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or reduce their emissions. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; others, like gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions.
• Ventilation: Ventilation helps remove or dilute indoor airborne pollutants. This reduces the level of contaminants and improves indoor air quality. Natural ventilation, such as opening windows and doors, is one way to improve indoor air quality. Mechanical means, such as outdoor air intakes associated with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, can also be used.
• Air cleaning and filtration: Air cleaners can help to improve indoor air quality, but their effectiveness depends on how well they collect pollutants and how much air they draw through the cleaning or filtering element.
• Controlling moisture: Keeping humidity below 60% (ideally 30-50%) can help to improve indoor air quality.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Ensuring you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home can help improve indoor air quality.

Common indoor air pollutants

Some common indoor air pollutants include:

• Radon: A naturally occurring radioactive gas that is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. Radon can enter a building through cracks in walls, floors, and other openings and can be present at high levels inside homes, schools, and other buildings.
• Particulate matter: Small particles suspended in the air, including dust, tobacco smoke, diesel emissions, pollens, pet dander, and mold spores.
• Allergens: Common indoor allergens include dander from pets, droppings from mice and cockroaches, mold and mildew, and dust.

Health effects of indoor air pollution

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for indoor air quality and household fuel combustion, which offer practical, evidence-based guidance on the types of fuels and technologies that can be considered clean. The WHO recommends clean fuels and technologies such as solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and alcohol fuels. It also emphasizes addressing all household energy uses, particularly cooking, space heating, and lighting, to ensure health and environmental benefits.

Indoor air pollution can have significant health effects, and the EPA ranks it as one of the top five environmental risks to public health. The health effects of indoor air pollution include immediate impacts such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Additionally, indoor air pollutants can trigger asthma symptoms and cause or contribute to respiratory diseases, heart disease, and lung cancer. Certain pollutants like radon and carbon monoxide are especially harmful and can even lead to lethal outcomes.

The vulnerable groups most susceptible to the adverse effects of indoor air pollution include children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, or respiratory disease. These individuals tend to spend more time indoors, increasing their exposure to indoor pollutants. Schools, in particular, often suffer from poor indoor air quality due to their old age and lack of funding to address environmental issues, putting children at heightened risk.

While the EPA does not directly regulate indoor air pollution, it offers assistance and suggestions to promote good indoor air quality. The responsibility for regulating indoor air pollution falls on individual states, and some states have taken initiatives to address this issue. However, even with state regulation, certain private residences and homes may still be excluded from oversight. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and take measures to improve their indoor air quality, especially in vulnerable populations.

Frequently asked questions