Indoor Air
IAQ and Climate Readiness
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Protecting Indoor Air Quality and Your Health
Climate change is becoming a driving force for improving energy efficiency because saving energy can help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. However, it is important to balance energy saving measures with ventilation and with good Indoor Air Quality.
See the IAQ health effects page for more information about exposure to pollutants and potential health problems. For more information on climate change, visit www.epa.gov/climatechange
There are several steps you can take to help maintain a healthy indoor air environment as we face the challenges of climate change. As consumers, builders and building operators, educators and outreach professionals, we can each do our part to improve the quality of the air we breathe. Learn more
Buildings will be altered to reduce their contributions to climate change by making them more energy efficient and to help protect the public from some of the changes associated with climate change. As the building stock becomes increasingly more energy efficient in the process of new construction or retrofit/remodeling, it will be essential to ensure that measures are taken to maintain or improve indoor air quality, such as appropriate ventilation and moisture control. Learn more
The Effect of Climate Change on Indoor Air Quality and Public Health
In response to a request from the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences has conducted a study that evaluates the state of scientific understanding of the effects of climate change on indoor air quality and public health. General topics may include the likely impacts of climate change in the U.S. on the indoor environment, how these impacts may influence human exposure to chemical and biological agents and environmental stressors, possible public health consequences arising from these exposures, and priority issues for research and action. Its efforts will culminate in the release of a report explicating its research approach and containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations on the topics addressed. Read more at
http://www.iom.edu/Activities/PublicHealth/ClimateIndoorAir.aspx 
The report findings and conclusions were discussed June 7, 2011 during a panel session at the
12th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate in Austin, TX. Mike Flynn of EPA, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air and Dr. David Butler, IOM study director will introduce the session. Dr. Jack Spengler, Vivian Loftness, and Dr. William Nazaroff will participate in the panel discussion.
Read the June 11 Report Brief (PDF) (4 pp., 547 K) .
