In Case You Missed It! Recent Indoor Air Quality Announcements
Have you heard? There are many exciting activities happening in the EPA Indoor Environments Division lately. We have a new funding opportunity available, several public comment periods have opened, and a few public information sessions are coming soon. Read the highlights below and see how you can get involved improving indoor air quality where you live, work and play.
Notice of Funding Opportunity: Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grant Program
EPA is seeking applications from eligible entities for a new federal grant program to support enhancing wildfire smoke preparedness in community buildings. The Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program will provide grants and cooperative agreements to states, federally recognized tribes, public preschools, local educational agencies, and non-profit organizations for the assessment, prevention, control or abatement of wildfire smoke hazards in community buildings and related activities.
The deadline to apply is May 9, 2023.
EPA will host an information session for potential applicants. During the webinar, EPA will provide an overview of the funding opportunity and the application process.
When: April 10, 3 - 4 p.m. ET
Learn more about the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program.
Comment Period Open: EPA's Proposed Radon Credentialing Criteria
The proposed criteria provide a national non-regulatory framework that outlines a quality standard for state-run and independent programs that credential radon service providers. These criteria will encourage consistency across radon credentialing programs and help ensure consumer protection and protect public health.
The comment period closes May 22, 2023.
Learn more about the Proposed Radon Credentialing Criteria.
In addition, EPA will host an information session for stakeholders to learn more and ask clarifying questions about the credentialing criteria.
At the information session, presenters will address:
- EPA’s role in overseeing quality of radon service providers.
- Conformity assessment and application of voluntary consensus standards within federal programs, including the proposed radon credentialing criteria.
When: April 12, 1 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Listening Session: The Inflation Reduction Act’s Funding to Address Air Pollution at Schools
EPA is holding two listening sessions in April to get your input on the design of a new grant and technical assistance program funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Register for one of the webinars to hear a high-level overview of the Funding to Address Air Pollution at Schools and to offer your feedback on how EPA can best use this funding to address school air quality issues in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
EPA will give the same presentation in both webinars, so please only register for the one that best suits your schedule.
Option 1: April 19, 1 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Option 2: April 26, 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Comment Period Open: Indoor airPLUS Program Update
Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program designed to improve indoor air quality in homes to reduce the likelihood of health problems like heart disease, cancer, asthma and other respiratory issues.
Builders participating in the program must use construction practices designed to minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants in the home. The indoor airPLUS program also requires that these practices are inspected and certified by qualified verifiers.
Under this proposed program update, builders will have an opportunity to choose between two Indoor airPLUS labels: Indoor airPLUS Certification and Indoor airPLUS Gold. The proposed “Indoor airPLUS Certification” specifications focus on strategies to improve indoor air quality without a pre-requisite of ENERGY STAR certification. The proposed “Indoor airPLUS Gold” specifications include more advanced protections for improved indoor air quality in conjunction with ENERGY STAR certification.
The comment period closes April 24, 2023.
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