The Healthy Schools Act addresses the ‘underfunded aspect’ of school buildings.

Exciting news is on the horizon for our schools and childcare facilities! The U.S. Congress has introduced the Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act, a vital piece of legislation to tackle a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of our buildings—indoor air quality (IAQ).

So, what’s this all about? The proposed act would empower the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authority and resources to safeguard public health by ensuring cleaner air in indoor spaces.

H.R. 9131, the Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act, would ensure that the EPA has the authority and resources to 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 the development of technical assistance, guidelines, and best practices to improve the IAQ conditions of these facilities.

The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act is a significant step toward creating healthier environments for our children to learn and grow. By addressing these underfunded areas, we can ensure that our schools are not just places of education but also hubs of health and well-being.

Stay tuned as we follow this important legislation and its impact on our communities.

For more information on IAQ contact Integrity Energy Solutions Group (IESG) at 1-800-757-2406 and one of their partner’s solutions