The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $1 million in awards to six organizations aimed at addressing asthma, radon, and other indoor air health risks. These cooperative agreements are intended to advance national policy and systems-level changes that reduce indoor air risks, leading to measurable improvements in environmental and public health.
"The EPA is proud to partner with these leading organizations to address the serious threats posed by poor indoor air quality," stated Joe Goffman, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. "With these agreements, the agency advances our commitment to communities across the country by providing financial and technical assistance so they can take action to prevent lung cancer, asthma episodes, and other respiratory diseases."
Indoor air quality remains a significant public health concern as Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Radon is identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, while asthma affects 25 million Americans, including nearly 5 million children. Poor and minority children experience a greater burden from this disease.
The newly awarded funds will support initiatives aimed at:
- Preventing lung cancer through testing and remediation of homes, schools, and other buildings with elevated radon levels.
- Reducing asthma attacks and emergency room visits by supporting environmental asthma interventions at home and school.
- Addressing other indoor air issues by expanding state and local efforts to improve indoor air quality through best practices.
Each organization will receive $175,000 for the first year of their three-year cooperative agreements:
Kansas State University aims to reduce lung cancer deaths through radon testing support and mitigation efforts. Their work includes operating a national radon hotline, conducting assessments on digital radon monitors, selling test kits, and increasing credentialed professionals in this field.
The American Lung Association seeks to build capacity for constructing new homes with radon-resistant features while mitigating existing structures with high radon levels. Their objectives include implementing the National Radon Action Plan and building capacity in underserved communities.
The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors will assist states, Tribes, and local governments in reducing radon risk through technical support for adopting consensus standards for testing and mitigation.
The Public Health Institute's Regional Asthma Management project focuses on policy changes that ensure sustained access to in-home environmental asthma interventions for affected children. This includes providing technical assistance and creating tools for sharing experiences.
The National Center for Healthy Housing aims to enhance national capacity in addressing Indoor Environmental Determinants of Health by offering technical assistance designed to improve indoor air quality strategies across states, Tribes, and communities.
Lastly, the Environmental Law Institute plans workshops for officials focused on comprehensive indoor air risk reduction policies while offering clear information about current policies.
