Indoor Air Quality Act of 1993 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a national research, development, and demonstration program to ensure the quality of indoor air.
Requires the Administrator to establish technology demonstration projects which reduce exposure to indoor air contaminants.
Requires the Administrator to conduct a national assessment to survey the seriousness and extent of indoor air contamination in buildings owned by local educational agencies and child care facilities.
Directs the Administrator to enter into agreements with the National Academy of Sciences for studies on chemical sensitivity disorders and indoor allergens.
Requires the Administrator and the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to conduct research on indoor air quality in nonresidential, nonindustrial buildings that comply with generally accepted principles of design, maintenance, and operation of ventilation, filtration, and other building systems.
Requires the Director to develop a model indoor air quality training course in ventilation system operation and maintenance and in identifying and reducing indoor air contaminant exposures.
Directs the Administrator to publish health advisories on indoor air contaminants which may have adverse effects.
Requires the Administrator to establish a national indoor air quality clearinghouse and toll-free hotline.
Directs the Administrator to analyze the adequacy of existing ventilation standards and guidelines to protect the public from indoor air contaminants.
Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to develop test methods for the identification and regulation of respiratory irritants.
Directs the Administrator to publish a strategy for a national response to indoor air quality problems.
Requires the Director to develop programs to evaluate and remedy indoor air contamination in Federal buildings. Directs Federal agencies to implement systematic programs for the assessment of indoor air quality and the correction of conditions resulting in inadequate air quality.
Authorizes grants to States for the development of indoor air quality management strategies and response programs.
Authorizes appropriations.
[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1930 Introduced in House (IH)]
103d CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1930
To authorize a national program to reduce the threat to human health
posed by exposure to contaminants in the air indoors.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 29, 1993
Mr. Kennedy (for himself, Mr. Brown of California, Mr. Sanders, Mr.
Kopetski, Ms. Byrne, Mr. Evans, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. Pelosi,
Mr. Hochbrueckner, Mr. Markey, Mr. Payne of New Jersey, Mr. Wheat, Miss
Collins of Michigan, Mr. Owens, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Wise, Mr. Traficant,
Mrs. Unsoeld, Mr. Blackwell, Mr. LaFalce, Mr. Clay, Mrs. Morella, and
Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill; which was referred jointly to
the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Science, Space, and Technology,
and Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize a national program to reduce the threat to human health
posed by exposure to contaminants in the air indoors.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) This Act may be cited as the ``Indoor Air Quality Act of
1993''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Indoor air quality research, development, and demonstration.
Sec. 6. Management practices to reduce indoor air contamination.
Sec. 7. National indoor air quality response strategy.
Sec. 8. Federal building evaluation and remediation program.
Sec. 9. State and local indoor air quality grant program.
Sec. 10. Relation to other law.
Sec. 11. Reports.
Sec. 12. Authorizations for research and related activities.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Americans spend up to 90 percent of a day indoors and,
as a result, have a significant potential for exposure to
indoor air contaminants.
(2) A number of contaminants found in both ambient air and
indoor air may occur at higher concentrations in indoor air
than in outdoor air.
(3) Indoor air contaminants pose a significant threat to
public health (including cancer, respiratory illness, skin and
eye irritation, and related health effects).
(4) A portion of the population of the United States may
have heightened sensitivity to chemicals and related substances
found in the air indoors.
(5) Indoor air contamination is estimated to cause
significant increases in medical costs and declines in work
productivity.
(6) Sources of indoor air contamination include
conventional ambient air contamination sources, building
materials, consumer and commercial products, combustion
appliances, pesticides, and other sources.
(7) Exposure to indoor air contamination can be reduced
through the proper design, operation, and maintenance of
heating, ventilation, filtration, and air conditioning systems
in buildings.
(8) Federal efforts to combat indoor air pollution could be
greatly enhanced by conducting research on the seriousness and
extent of indoor air contaminants and by developing methods,
techniques, and protocols for the assessment of indoor air
contaminants.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to develop and coordinate through the Environmental
Protection Agency a comprehensive Federal program of research
and development to assess the seriousness and extent of indoor
air contamination and the human health effects of indoor air
contaminants, and to reduce human exposure to such
contaminants;
(2) to ensure coordination and effective application of
Federal authorities to reduce human exposure to indoor air
contaminants; and
(3) to provide support to State governments to augment the
efforts of the Federal Government to reduce human exposure to
indoor air contaminants.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act:
(1) The term ``Agency'' means the Environmental Protection
Agency.
(2) The term ``indoor'' refers to the enclosed portions of
buildings including Federal buildings, buildings of State and
local governments, schools, commercial buildings, and
residences.
(3) The term ``indoor air contaminant'' means any chemical
substance or biological organism, including combinations or
mixtures of substances or organisms, known to occur in indoor
air which have an adverse effect on human health.
(4) The term ``Federal agency'' means any department,
agency, or other instrumentality of the Federal Government,
including any independent agency or establishment of the
Federal Government or government corporation.
(5) The term ``Federal building'' means any building or
portion of a building--
(A) that is more than 10,000 square feet in area
and is owned, leased, or operated by a Federal agency;
and
(B) that is more than 10,000 square feet in area
and in which the Congress employs congressional
employees.
(6) The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency.
(7) The term ``Director'' means the Director of the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
(8) The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning
given such term in section 1471(12) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2891(12)).
(9) The term ``local air pollution control agency'' means
any city, county, or other local government authority charged
with the responsibility for implementing programs or enforcing
ordinances or laws relating to the prevention and control of
air pollution including indoor air contamination.
SEC. 5. INDOOR AIR QUALITY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION.
(a) Establishment of Program.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall, in cooperation
with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and
other appropriate Federal agencies, establish a national
research, development, and demonstration program to ensure the
quality of indoor air.
(2) Authority of administrator.--In carrying out this
section, the Administrator may--
(A) enter into contracts or cooperative agreements
with public agencies and authorities, nonprofit
institutions and organizations, and other persons;
(B) conduct studies, including epidemiological
studies, of the effects of indoor air contaminants on
mortality and morbidity and clinical and laboratory
studies on the immunologic, biochemical, physiological,
and toxicological effects, including the carcinogenic,
teratogenic, mutagenic, cardiovascular, and neurotoxic
effects, of indoor air contaminants;
(C) develop, in coordination with the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, effective and
practical processes, methods, reference materials, and
techniques, traceable to national standards, for the
prevention, detection, and correction of indoor air
contamination; and
(D) coordinate with the Consumer Product Safety
Commission and the private sector to encourage the
development of innovative products and techniques to
improve indoor air quality.
(b) Program Requirements.--The Administrator, in coordination with
other appropriate Federal agencies, shall conduct, assist, or
facilitate research, investigations, surveys, or demonstrations,
including--
(1) research, in consultation with the National Institute
of Standards and Technology, to characterize and assess actual
human exposure to indoor air contaminants and identify the
principal sources of harmful exposure for indoor air
contaminants;
(2) research, in coordination with the heads of other
appropriate Federal agencies and other sources of expertise,
for the purpose of addressing the effects on human health of
indoor air contaminants--
(A) including additive, cumulative, and synergistic
effects on the general population and populations
particularly sensitive to indoor air contaminants, such
as children in schools and day care facilities; and
(B) with emphasis on contaminants that comprise the
greatest human exposure; and
(3) research, in coordination with the National Institute
of Standards and Technology and other appropriate sources of
expertise, for the purpose of developing--
(A) methods for predicting exposure to
contaminants;
(B) improved techniques and equipment for assessing
human exposure to indoor air contaminants; and
(C) techniques for improving indoor air quality,
with emphasis on pollution prevention.
(c) Technology Demonstration Program.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a
technology demonstration program to develop and demonstrate
methods that reduce exposure to indoor air contaminants. In
carrying out the program, the Administrator may enter into
cooperative agreements or contracts, or provide financial
assistance in the form of grants, to public agencies and
authorities, nonprofit institutions and organizations, employee
advocate organizations, local educational agencies, or other
persons, to demonstrate practices, material, methods,
technologies, or processes that reduce such exposure.
(2) Priority for certain activities.--In assisting
demonstration activities under paragraph (1), the Administrator
shall give priority to activities that serve to demonstrate the
feasibility and cost effectiveness of a new, significantly
improved, or unproven method that reduces exposure to indoor
air contaminants.
(3) Solicitation for proposals and selection of projects.--
Within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and at least every 12 months thereafter, the Administrator
shall publish a solicitation for proposals to demonstrate
methods that may be effective in reducing exposure to indoor
air contaminants. The Administrator shall expeditiously select
projects pursuant to such proposals.
(4) Amount of federal funding.--Total Federal funds for any
demonstration project under this section shall not exceed 75
percent of the total cost of such project, except that the
Administrator may provide funding in amounts other than that
specified in this paragraph in any case where the Administrator
determines that research under this section is of a basic
nature which would not otherwise be undertaken, or the
applicant is a local educational agency.
(5) Publication of reports.--The Administrator shall, from
time to time, publish general reports for the use of the public
which describe the findings of demonstration projects conducted
pursuant to this section and shall make such reports available
to the clearinghouse established in section 6(d).
(d) Exposure Assessment.--The Administrator shall, when
appropriate, consider indoor human exposure to a contaminant in the
development of ambient air quality standards under section 109 and
national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants under section
112 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409, 7412).
(e) Assessment of Schools and Child Care Facilities.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall conduct a national
assessment to survey the seriousness and extent of indoor air
contamination in buildings owned by local educational agencies
and child care facilities.
(2) Advisory group.--The Administrator shall establish an
advisory group to provide recommendations to the Administrator
on how the assessment conducted under paragraph (1) can be
guided and directed to accurately predict the extent of indoor
air contamination in schools and child care facilities.
(f) Report to Congress.--The Administrator shall enter into an
agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for the Board on
Environmental studies and Toxicology to conduct a study to review and
assess issues related to chemical sensitivity disorders. The assessment
shall include identification of data gaps and a proposed research
agenda that would significantly narrow critical gaps in the data base.
The Indoor Air Panel of the Environmental Protection Agency Science
Advisory Board shall review and comment on the report before submittal
to the Congress, and any such comments shall be transmitted to Congress
in conjunction with the report.
(g) Indoor Allergen Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an
agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for the Institute of
Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on
indoor allergens that will characterize what is known about effects of
allergens on human health, determine the extent of the problem
nationally, define commonly affected population groups, and identify
specific positive agents.
(h) Healthy Buildings Baseline Study.--The Administrator and the
Director shall conduct research on indoor air quality in
nonresidential, nonindustrial buildings that comply with generally
accepted principles of proper design, maintenance, and operation of
ventilation, filtration, and other building systems, including ASHRAE
Standard 62-1989. The Administrator and the Director shall arrange for
some or all of such research to be carried out by appropriate private
persons and academic institutions. The study shall include--
(1) the monitoring of biological contaminants, respirable
particulate matter, volatile compounds, and other contaminants
of interest; and
(2) to the maximum extent practicable, the sources of the
contaminants.
SEC. 6. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO REDUCE INDOOR AIR CONTAMINATION.
(a) Technology Bulletins and Management Practices.--
(1) Technology bulletins.--The Administrator, in
coordination with the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Department
of Energy, and other appropriate sources of expertise, shall
publish bulletins providing an assessment of technologies and
management practices for the control and measurement of
contaminants in indoor air.
(2) Content of bulletins.--Bulletins published pursuant to
this subsection shall, at a minimum--
(A) describe the control, prevention, or
measurement technology or practice;
(B) describe the effectiveness of the technology or
practice in control or measurement of indoor air
contaminants; and
(C) assess the feasibility and the costs, including
capital and operational costs, of application of the
technology or practice in buildings of different types,
sizes, ages, and designs.
(3) Format.--The Administrator shall establish and utilize
a standard format for presentation of the technology and
management practice assessment bulletins. The format shall be
designed to facilitate assessment of technologies or practices
by interested persons, including homeowners and building owners
and managers.
(4) Publication of health advisory.--The Administrator
shall, in cases where a bulletin published pursuant to this
subsection addresses a specific contaminant, publish
concurrently the health advisory required under subsection (c)
for that contaminant.
(5) Public review.--In developing bulletins pursuant to
this subsection, the Administrator shall provide for public
review and shall consider public comment before publication of
bulletins.
(b) Model Building Management Practices Training.--
(1) In general.--Within 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director, in coordination with the
Administrator, the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, and the Consumer Product Safety
Commission, and in consultation with the Administrator of the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other
appropriate sources of expertise, shall develop a model indoor
air quality training course providing training in--
(A) principles, methods, and techniques related to
ventilation system operation and maintenance including
applicable ventilation guidelines and standards;
(B) maintenance of records concerning indoor air
quality, including maintenance of ventilation systems,
complaints of indoor air quality, and actions taken to
address indoor air quality problems;
(C) potential health threats posed by indoor air
contaminants;
(D) identification of potential indoor air
contaminant sources and options for reducing exposures
to contaminants;
(E) measures to reduce indoor air contaminant
exposures in new buildings and in portions of buildings
which have been recently renovated or substantially
refurbished; and
(F) measures which may be necessary to reduce
exposures to contaminants associated with pesticide
applications, installation of products, furnishings, or
equipment, and cleaning operations.
(2) Deadline for provision of training.--Within 2 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall
provide, or contract for the provision of, training courses
pursuant to paragraph (1) sufficient, at a minimum, to ensure
training on a schedule consistent with the requirements of
section 8(f)(2).
(3) Training fee.--The Director, or a firm or organization
operating under contract with such Director, may establish a
fee for training pursuant to this subsection. Fees shall be in
an amount not to exceed the amount necessary to defray the
costs of the training program.
(c) Indoor Air Contaminant Health Advisories.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall publish advisory
materials addressing the health effects of indoor air
contaminants that are likely to occur indoors at concentrations
which have adverse human health effects. Such advisory
materials shall, at a minimum--
(A) describe the physical, chemical, biological,
and radiological properties of the contaminant;
(B) evaluate the adverse human health effects of
exposure to various concentrations of contaminants;
(C) describe any indoor air contaminant standards
or related action levels established under Federal,
State, local, or foreign law, including standards or
levels suggested by appropriate domestic or
international organizations;
(D) include applicable available information on the
risk to subpopulations which may have higher exposure
levels than the average person or be especially
sensitive to exposure to the contaminant;
(E) characterize the likely sources of exposure,
including the extent to which the contaminant, or a
mixture of contaminants, is associated with a
particular substance or material, and when the
particular substance or material is a consumer product,
that portion of the advisory shall be prepared in
coordination with the Consumer Product Safety
Commission;
(F) when applicable, describe the relative
contribution of ambient sources of the contaminant;
(G) refer to any technology and management practice
assessment bulletin published under subsection (a)
which is applicable to the contaminant; and
(H) include relevant information generated under
section 5(b)(1).
(2) Relation to other federal law.--Health advisories
published pursuant to this subsection shall in no way limit or
restrict the application of requirements or standards
established under any other Federal law.
(3) Format.--The Administrator shall establish and utilize
a standard format of presentation of indoor air contaminant
health advisories. The format shall be designed to facilitate
public understanding of the range of risks from exposure to
indoor air contaminants and shall include a summary of the
research and information concerning the contaminant which is
understandable to public health professionals and to those who
lack training in toxicology.
(4) Publication.--The Administrator shall publish not less
than six advisories within 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act and shall publish not less than an
additional six advisories within 3 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(5) Public review and comment.--In development and revision
of health advisories pursuant to this subsection, the
Administrator shall provide for public review and comment.
(d) Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse.--
(1) Establishment.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the Consumer Product Safety Commission, shall establish a
national indoor air quality clearinghouse to be used to
disseminate indoor air quality information to other Federal
agencies, State, and local governments, and private
organizations and individuals.
(2) Purpose.--The Administrator, acting through the
clearinghouse, shall make available to the public reports,
programs, and materials developed pursuant to the requirements
of this Act, including the technical bulletins referred to in
subsection (a)(1), the health advisories referred to in
subsection (c), and the reports referred to in section 5(c)(6).
(3) Hotline.--The clearinghouse shall operate a toll-free
telephone hotline on indoor air quality to provide the public
general information about indoor air quality and general
guidance concerning response to indoor air quality
contamination problems.
(4) Contractual Agreement.--The Administrator may provide
for the design, development, and implementation of the
clearinghouse through a contractual agreement with a nonprofit
organization. The total costs paid by the Administrator under
such an agreement may not exceed the direct costs of operating
the clearinghouse.
(e) Ventilation Program.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall conduct
a program to analyze the adequacy of existing ventilation
standards and guidelines to protect the public and workers from
indoor air contaminants.
(2) Duties of the administrator.--In carrying out the
program referred to in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--
(A) determine the effectiveness of, and compliance
with, existing standards for protecting public health
and promoting worker productivity;
(B) assess the costs and benefits of compliance
with such standards; and
(C) evaluate the efficacy of increasing building
ventilation rates based upon increased complaints of
indoor air contamination by building occupants, and
assess the potential for ventilation to complement
controls over specific sources of contaminants in
reducing indoor air contamination.
(f) Test Methods for Respiratory Irritants.--
(1) In general.--The Consumer Product Safety Commission
shall develop specific test methods for the identification of
respiratory irritants, such as ozone, formaldehyde, and methyl
ethyl ketone, for purposes of regulation of such substances
under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 2(j) of the Federal
Hazardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C. 1261(j)) is amended by
inserting ``, and includes respiratory irritants'' after
``inflammatory reaction''.
(g) Priority Listing.--The committee established under subparagraph
(A) of section 4(e)(1) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C.
2603(e)(1)(A)) shall review indoor air contaminants for the purpose of
including such substances in a priority list under such subparagraph.
The committee shall give priority attention to chemical substances and
mixtures known to cause or contribute to, or which are suspected of
causing or contributing to, cancer, gene mutations, birth defects,
neurotoxicity, or sensory irritations and that have the greatest
potential for human exposure.
SEC. 7. NATIONAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY RESPONSE STRATEGY.
(a) Authority.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall, in coordination
with the Director of the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, the Secretary of Energy, and the Consumer
Product Safety Commission, and in consultation with the heads
of other appropriate Federal agencies, design and publish a
strategy for a national response to indoor air quality
problems.
(2) Range of response actions.--The response strategy shall
provide for implementation of a range of response actions that
would result in the reduction of human exposure to indoor air
contaminants.
(b) Existing Authority.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Secretary of Energy,
shall include in the strategy provided for in subsection (a) of this
section a description of specific potential response actions based on
existing statutory authorities provided in--
(1) the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);
(2) the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 201 et
seq.);
(3) the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.);
(4) the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300 et seq.);
(5) the authorities of the Consumer Product Safety
Commission, with the concurrence of such Commission;
(6) the authorities of the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, with the concurrence of such Administration;
and
(7) other regulatory and related authorities provided under
any other Federal statute.
(c) Supporting Actions.--The strategy provided for in subsection
(a) shall include a description of specific supporting actions
including--
(1) programs to disseminate technical information to public
health, design, and construction professionals concerning the
risks of exposure to indoor air contaminants and methods and
programs for reducing exposures to such contaminants, along
with an indication of the cost and feasibility of such
programs;
(2) education programs for the general public concerning
the health threats posed by indoor air contaminants and
appropriate individual response actions, and a description of
sampling methods and instruments that are inexpensive and easy
to use by the general public; and
(3) private and public sector options for providing
technical assistance for State and local officials, private and
professional firms, and labor organizations to address indoor
air contamination topics.
(d) Evaluation of Diagnostic Services, Mitigation Services, and
Ventilation System Operators.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and
the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, and in consultation with other appropriate sources of
expertise, shall include in the first strategy published pursuant to
this section--
(1) an evaluation of the range, effectiveness, and
reliability of indoor air quality diagnostic services;
(2) an evaluation of the current range, effectiveness, and
reliability of indoor air contamination mitigation services;
and
(3) an evaluation of the current range of knowledge and
mastery of indoor air quality and energy efficiency techniques
of ventilation system operators.
(e) Review of Response Strategy Provided Under This Section.--The
Administrator shall provide for public review and comment on the
response strategy provided for in this section.
SEC. 8. FEDERAL BUILDING EVALUATION AND REMEDIATION PROGRAM.
(a) Evaluation.--The Director shall, in coordination with the
Administrator and the Director of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, and in consultation with other sources of appropriate
expertise, develop within 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act a program to evaluate the nature and extent of indoor air
contamination in Federal buildings. Such program shall include--
(1) a compilation of the names of all Federal buildings
which are known or suspected to have the most serious indoor
air contamination, listed in order of the seriousness of the
indoor air contamination;
(2) recommended methods for measuring indoor air
contaminants at the concentrations that are routinely found in
buildings;
(3) recommended methods for determining the actual minimum
amount of fresh air delivered per person;
(4) a questionnaire and follow-up survey that is capable of
determining the routine ventilation rates and the extent of
indoor air contamination or related employee health effects in
Federal buildings, with priority on the evaluation of those
buildings in which the greatest number of Federal employees
work;
(5) a plan generated by the Administrator, to be carried
out by the Office of Research and Development, to evaluate a
minimum of 20 Federal buildings to assess and develop
predictive models of actual human exposure to indoor air
contamination; and
(6) the selection of a minimum of 10 Federal buildings to
be used for demonstration of indoor air contamination
mitigation strategies, and, in coordination with the Secretary
of Energy, the selection of a minimum of 5 Federal buildings to
be used for demonstration of energy efficiency technologies
that do not decrease indoor air quality.
(b) Model Remediation Program.--
(1) In general.--The Director, in coordination with the
Administrator and the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology and in consultation with the heads of
appropriate Federal agencies, representatives of Federal
employees, and other sources of appropriate expertise, shall,
within one year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
develop and disseminate to all Federal agencies a model indoor
air quality remediation program. The program shall include--
(A) a description and schedule of general
remediation actions;
(B) adaptations of the model to a minimum of 5
building subtypes or classes that are routinely used as
Federal buildings;
(C) plans for distribution of the model remediation
program to all Federal agencies that occupy Federal
buildings, and for the execution of an educational
program to enhance the understanding and usefulness of
the model remediation program to all Federal agencies
that occupy Federal buildings; and
(D) recommendations for regulations that establish
a method and format for Federal employees and the
public to file confidential comments and complaints
concerning indoor air quality in Federal buildings.
(2) Remediation program.--The head of each Federal agency
responsible for the operation of 1 or more Federal buildings
shall, within 1 year after receipt of the model indoor air
quality remediation program developed under paragraph (1),
develop and submit to the Director a plan addressing indoor air
contamination in Federal buildings under the jurisdiction of
such agency.
(c) Systematic Assessment Program.--
(1) In general.--The head of each agency responsible for
the operation of 1 or more Federal buildings shall, within 3
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, establish
and implement a systematic program for the assessment of indoor
air quality and the correction of conditions resulting in less
than adequate indoor air quality.
(2) Confidential filing of comments and complaints.--Each
such program shall include the method and format for
confidential filing of comments and complaints concerning
indoor air quality by workers and the public, developed as part
of the model remediation program pursuant to subsection
(b)(1)(D).
(3) Submission to the director.--Each agency described in
paragraph (1) shall submit a copy of the program established
under paragraph (1) to the Director, and shall annually affirm
to the Director that each of its buildings continues to be
covered by that program.
(d) New Federal Buildings.--
(1) In general.--The head of each Federal agency
responsible for the design and construction of a building for
Federal occupancy shall employ up to date design,
commissioning, and operating practices for optimal indoor air
quality and energy efficiency, and an adequate portion of total
building costs shall be used when necessary for the--
(A) development and implementation of general
design principles intended to prevent contamination of
indoor air;
(B) development of building management guidelines
and practices; and
(C) training in building and systems operations for
building management and maintenance personnel.
(2) Report.--Upon completion of construction of each
Federal building covered by this section, the head of the
Federal agency responsible shall file with the Administrator
and with the clearinghouse established under section 6(d), a
report outlining the activities undertaken, including related
funding levels, in carrying out paragraph (1). Such report
shall be routinely amended to provide updated information on
the short-term and long-term effectiveness of activities
undertaken under this subsection, and any changes in practices
or renovations that were necessary to improve on the results of
activities undertaken under this subsection.
(e) New and Renewed Leases for Federal Buildings.--Within 2 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
General Services Administration, the heads of Federal agencies, or any
person entering into a new lease or a lease renewal contract for a
Federal building, shall require the building owner to demonstrate and
guarantee that the building is routinely operating at design
specifications for the existing ventilation system, and guarantee that
all portions of the building are accessible for indoor air quality
monitoring and evaluation. The leasing of buildings that operate at
current ventilation standards shall be given priority.
(f) Building Ventilation and Management Training.--
(1) Designation of indoor air quality coordinator.--Within
12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head
of each Federal agency shall designate, or require that a
lessee designate, an Indoor Air Quality Coordinator for each
Federal building, with a minimum of one assistant to the
Coordinator for each 1,000 employees.
(2) Completion of training.--Within 4 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act, each Indoor Air Quality
Coordinator and assistant to a Coordinator shall complete the
indoor air training course operated pursuant to Federal funds.
SEC. 9. STATE AND LOCAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Administrator may provide grants to States to
devise management strategies and response programs to reduce indoor air
pollution and for indoor air pollution prevention. The strategies and
programs shall comply with Federal mandates and shall enhance the
national indoor air quality response strategy referred to in section 7.
(b) Management Strategy Demonstration.--
(1) Grant assistance.--The Governor of a State may apply to
the Administrator for a grant under subsection (a) to support
the development and implementation of a management strategy
with respect to indoor air quality within such State.
(2) Content of strategies.--State indoor air quality
management strategies shall--
(A) designate a lead agency and provide an
institutional framework for protection of indoor air
quality;
(B) describe existing programs, controls, or
related activities concerning indoor air quality within
State agencies including regulations, educational
programs, assessment programs, or other activities; and
(C) describe existing programs, controls, or
related activities concerning indoor air quality of
local and other sub-State agencies and ensure
coordination among local, State, and Federal agencies
involved in indoor air quality activities in the State.
(3) Strategy evaluation.--An evaluation of the strategies
funded through a grant made under this subsection shall be
provided to the Administrator within 3 years after receipt of
the grant and shall include a certification that the strategy
meets the requirements of this Act.
(4) Public review and comment.--States shall provide for
public review and comment on the management strategy before
submission of such strategy to the Administrator.
(c) Response Programs.--
(1) Grant assistance.--A Governor of a State or the
executive officer of a local air pollution control agency may
apply to the Administrator for a grant under subsection (a) to
develop a response program designed to reduce human exposure to
an indoor air contaminant or contaminants in the State, or in a
specific class or type of building in that State, or in a
specific geographic area of that State.
(2) Content of response programs.--A response program
shall--
(A) establish methods to provide information
concerning indoor air contamination to the public and
to educate the public and interested groups, including
building owners and design and engineering
professionals, about indoor air contamination,
mitigation, and prevention;
(B) identify any data and information that is
applicable to the indoor air contaminant, the
ventilation system problem, the class or type of
building, or the specific geographic area to be
addressed;
(C) describe and schedule specific actions to be
taken to reduce human exposure to indoor air
contamination, including changes in building
maintenance practices or technologies, contaminant
source reductions or removals, and the adoption and
enforcement of any ventilation standards;
(D) identify the State or local agency or public
organization which will implement the response actions;
and
(E) provide for the assessment of the effectiveness
of the response program.
(3) Response plan.--As part of the response program
pursuant to this subsection, an applicant may develop a
response plan addressing indoor air quality in State and local
government buildings. Such plans shall, to the fullest extent
practicable, be consistent with remediation program developed
pursuant to section 8.
(d) Grant Management.--
(1) Amount of funding.--Grants under subsection (b)(1)
shall not be less than $75,000 for each fiscal year.
(2) Criteria for selection.--In selecting States for grants
under this section, the Administrator shall consider--
(A) the seriousness of the indoor air quality
issues identified by the State; and
(B) with respect to grants for response strategies,
the State indoor air quality management strategy,
giving priority to States with complete indoor air
management strategies that have the greatest potential
for reducing human exposure to indoor air
contamination.
(3) Availability of sufficient funding.--In selecting
States for demonstration of management strategies and
assessments under subsection (b)(1), the Administrator shall
focus resources to ensure that sufficient funds are available
to selected States to provide for the development of
comprehensive and thorough management strategies and
assessments in each selected State and to adequately
demonstrate implementation of such strategies and assessments.
(4) Limitation on amount of funding.--Grants under
subsection (c)(1) of this section shall be available to the
grantee for a period not to exceed three years and shall not
exceed--
(A) for fiscal year 1994, the amount of $250,000;
and
(B) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 1994,
the amount referred to in subparagraph (A) adjusted by
the Administrator to reflect the estimated percentage
increase for such fiscal year in the Consumer Price
Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
(5) Federal share of funding.--The Federal share of grants
under this section shall not exceed 75 percent of the costs
incurred in demonstration and implementation of such activities
and shall be made on the condition that the non-Federal share
is provided from non-Federal funds.
(6) Availability of funds.--Funds granted pursuant to this
section in a fiscal year shall remain available for obligation
for that fiscal year and for the next following fiscal year.
(7) Limitation on receipt of grant in following year.--No
grant shall be made under this section in any fiscal year to a
State or local air pollution control agency which in the
preceding year received a grant under this section unless the
Administrator determines that such agency satisfactorily
implemented such grant activities in such preceding fiscal
year.
(8) Information required in grant application.--States and
local air pollution control agencies shall provide such
information in applications for grant assistance and pertaining
to grant funded activities as the Administrator requires.
(d) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the Administrator
shall coordinate with the Director of the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, and the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.
SEC. 10. RELATION TO OTHER LAW.
(a) Federal and State Authority.--Nothing in this Act shall be
construed, interpreted, or applied to preempt, displace, or supplant
any Federal or State law, whether statutory or common, or any local
ordinance, which establishes a more restrictive compliance standard.
(b) Exercise of Authority.--In exercising any authority under this
Act, the Administrator shall not, for purposes of section 4(b)(1) of
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, be considered to be
exercising statutory authority to prescribe or enforce standards or
regulations affecting occupational safety and health.
SEC. 11. REPORTS.
(a) Initial Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Congress a
report on the activities carried out by the Administrator pursuant to
this Act. The report shall include--
(1) the results of the national assessment conducted under
section 5(e)(1);
(2) the results of the healthy building study conducted
under section 5(h);
(3) an assessment of the training program conducted
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 6, including
recommendations concerning the application of training
requirements to classes and types of buildings not covered by
such subsection;
(4) a description of the ventilation program carried out
under section 6(e);
(5) the response strategy provided for in section 7(a); and
(6) an assessment of the Federal building evaluation and
remediation program developed under section 8;
SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act the
following amounts:
(1) For the purpose of carrying out section 5 and
subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 6, there are
authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Of such sums
appropriated, at least 25 percent shall be for carrying out
section 6(c), and at least 25 percent shall be for carrying out
section 5(c).
(2) For the purpose of carrying out sections 6(d), 7, and
8, there are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each
of the fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Of such
sums appropriated, at least 20 percent shall be for carrying
out section 8, and at least 20 percent shall be for carrying
out section 6(d).
(3) For the purpose of carrying out section 9, there are
authorized to be appropriated $12,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Of such sums
appropriated, at least 33 percent shall be for carrying out
section 9(c).
<all>
HR 1930 IH----2
HR 1930 IH----3
HR 1930 IH----4
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1111)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology, Environment and Aviation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary and Vocational Education.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Labor Standards, Occupational Health and Safety.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
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