Epa's Indoor Air Pollution: A Regulatory Blind Spot?

Despite the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) efforts to regulate outdoor air pollution, indoor air pollution remains an unregulated area. The EPA's Clean Air Act, which regulates six widespread outdoor air pollutants, does not cover indoor air quality. This is concerning given that indoor pollutant levels can be two to five times higher than outdoors, and certain activities like burning fuel for cooking or using gas stoves can cause dangerous levels of pollution. The responsibility for regulating indoor air quality falls on individual states, but even their powers are limited to public spaces and do not extend to private residences. While the EPA offers suggestions and information to improve indoor air quality, the lack of enforceable guidelines and regulations leaves many, especially low-income renters, vulnerable to the health risks associated with indoor air pollution.

The EPA's Clean Air Act doesn't apply indoors

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was founded in 1970 to protect human health and the environment by establishing and enforcing air quality regulations. While the EPA has made significant progress in reducing outdoor air pollution, its Clean Air Act does not apply to indoor spaces.

The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for common outdoor air pollutants, such as ozone and particulate matter. However, when it comes to indoor air quality, the EPA's role is limited to offering guidance and resources. The EPA's website acknowledges that it does not regulate indoor air, but provides information on common indoor air pollutants such as mold, radon, and formaldehyde.

The responsibility for regulating indoor air quality falls primarily to individual states, and their ability to regulate varies depending on the context. For example, states can regulate indoor air quality in public schools and other public buildings, but their ability to regulate private residences is more limited. As a result, indoor air quality in rental homes is often dictated by landlords, which can disproportionately affect low-income individuals who are more likely to rent.

The lack of federal regulation of indoor air quality has led to a disparity in standards across states. While some states have taken steps to address indoor air pollution, others have not. This has resulted in inconsistent protection for citizens, with some states failing to outline standards for indoor air quality in rental homes or provide guidance on addressing indoor air pollution sources such as gas stoves.

The impact of indoor air pollution on health cannot be overstated. Indoor air pollution can include various sources such as building materials, furnishings, personal care products, and tobacco smoke. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to infections, allergies, chronic lung diseases, lung cancer, and other forms of cancer. Given that Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, the lack of federal regulation of indoor air quality under the Clean Air Act leaves a significant gap in the protection of public health.

The EPA offers suggestions to improve indoor air quality

While the EPA does not regulate indoor air pollution, it does offer suggestions and information on improving indoor air quality. This is important because indoor air pollution can include various harmful substances such as mould, building materials, carpeting, air fresheners, personal care products, tobacco smoke, and household cleaners. Poor indoor air quality can contribute to or cause infections, allergies, asthma, lung cancer, and other forms of cancer.

The EPA's suggestions for improving indoor air quality include:

Source Control

This involves identifying and eliminating individual sources of pollution. For example, if you have a gas stove, which can cause high levels of indoor pollution, you may want to switch to an alternative appliance. Other sources of indoor pollution include building materials, furnishings, household products, contaminated ventilation systems, improperly placed outdoor air intakes, and maintenance activities.

Improve Ventilation

Increasing the amount of outdoor air coming indoors can lower the concentration of indoor air pollutants. This can be as simple as opening a window to temporarily increase ventilation.

Air Cleaners/Filtration

The use of portable air cleaners and higher-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters can help improve indoor air quality.

Mould Prevention

The EPA provides resources to help people learn how to clean up and prevent mould growth, such as the Brief Guide to Mold Moisture and Your Home.

In addition to these suggestions, the EPA also offers resources such as the Interactive Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) House, which helps people identify sources of indoor pollutants, and guides such as "Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers". While the EPA does not regulate indoor air pollution, it does provide tools and information to help individuals and states address this important issue.

States have the power to regulate indoor air pollution

While the EPA does not regulate indoor air pollution, it does provide resources and information to help improve indoor air quality. The responsibility and power to regulate indoor air pollution lie with the individual states. Some states have taken steps to regulate indoor air quality, while others have not. For example, Washington D.C.'s Air Quality Amendment Act of 2014 outlines rights for tenants dealing with mold in residential units.

The lack of federal regulation in this area means that certain indoor pollutants, such as NO2, may exceed the EPA's guidelines for outdoor air pollution. This is a serious issue, as Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. Additionally, indoor levels of pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels, and in some cases, up to 100 times higher.

The regulation of indoor air quality in rental homes is particularly complex. Low-income individuals are more likely to rent homes, and their indoor air quality is dictated by their landlords. While some states may have laws addressing indoor air pollution in rental properties, not all states do.

The health impacts of poor indoor air quality can be severe, including infections, allergies, chronic lung diseases like asthma, lung cancer, and other forms of cancer. The EPA has identified building materials, furnishings, and mold as serious indoor air quality concerns. Other common indoor air pollutants include carbon monoxide, smoke, radon, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

While states have the power to regulate indoor air pollution, it is important to note that there are limitations to their reach. For example, states may not be able to regulate indoor air quality in privately owned residences. However, they can regulate indoor air quality in public spaces, such as schools and other public buildings, and through rent laws and regulations.

Gas stoves are unregulated despite causing indoor pollution

Gas stoves are a primary source of indoor air pollution, particularly when unvented. They emit nitrogen dioxide and release additional tiny airborne particles known as PM2.5, both of which are lung irritants. Nitrogen dioxide has been linked to asthma, with children living in households that use gas stoves for cooking being 42% more likely to have asthma. A 2013 study also found that NO2 exposure increased the risk of wheezing and asthma severity in children.

Despite this, gas stoves remain unregulated. The EPA has known about the dangers of gas stoves since at least 1986, when a report from its Clean Air Advisory Committee urged the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to better assess the dangers of indoor air pollution sources like gas stoves. However, 34 years later, there has been no significant action taken to regulate them.

The lack of regulation is partly due to the responsibility for regulating indoor air pollution falling under the purview of individual states, some of which do not have any regulations in place. Additionally, even if every state regulated indoor air quality, there are limitations to their power, such as in the case of privately owned residences and homes.

The natural gas industry has also fought hard to prevent the regulation of gas stoves. However, with growing awareness of the health risks associated with gas stoves, organizations like the Massachusetts Medical Society and the American Medical Association are working to raise clinician and public awareness about these risks.

To improve indoor air quality and reduce exposure to pollutants from gas stoves, individuals can take steps such as opening windows while cooking, using exhaust fans, and investing in air purifiers. However, the ultimate solution may lie in electrifying buildings and moving away from gas appliances altogether.

Indoor air pollution can cause serious health issues

The EPA does not regulate indoor air pollution, but it does offer assistance and information on improving indoor air quality. The responsibility for regulating indoor air quality falls to individual states, and even then, there are limitations to their power. For example, states cannot regulate indoor air quality in private residences and homes.

The lack of regulation around indoor air pollution is concerning given the health risks associated with it. Exposure to indoor air pollutants has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, heart disease, cognitive deficits, and cancer. Certain populations may be more vulnerable to the effects of indoor air pollution, including children, older adults, individuals with pre-existing conditions, and low-income households.

Indoor air pollution can also exacerbate asthma symptoms, particularly in inner-city children. Studies have found that exposure to indoor air pollution during pregnancy was associated with impaired lung function in infants, increasing their risk of pneumonia in the first year of life. In adults, short-term exposure to indoor ozone was linked to increased blood platelets, a risk factor for clotting, and increased blood pressure.

Furthermore, indoor air pollution levels can be significantly higher than outdoor pollutant levels, sometimes up to 100 times higher. This is due to inadequate ventilation, higher temperatures, and higher humidity, which can increase concentrations of indoor pollutants. As a result, it is crucial to raise awareness about the potential health risks of indoor air pollution and take steps to improve indoor air quality, even if symptoms are not immediately noticeable.

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