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Radon/Indoor Air Quality Program

NEHA administers this program to identify and train environmental health professionals (EHPs) to implement community action plans regarding indoor air quality (IAQ) and radon problems, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division (USEPA/IED). This cooperative agreement has been recently renewed through 2014.  Throughout each year, EHPs participate in various three-day workshops designed by NEHA to teach both risk assessment and risk communication information about the health effects of long-term exposure to elevated levels of radon gas, asthma triggers, and other indoor air contaminants. This program is a significant component of the national radon risk effort. To date, NEHA has trained a network of well over 1,000 EHPs to work on radon and other IAQ issues, and continues to produce impressive results.

Through this program, NEHA:

• Coordinates the IAQ Asthma Triggers Workshop. This 2-day course is designed to reflect national priorities in addressing indoor air quality and the health impacts resulting from IAQ contaminants. Specifically, material on asthma triggers, environmental tobacco smoke, mold spores, and radon are presented along with supporting resource material. Applicants selected for this opportunity receive education and training about identifying and reducing exposure to potential asthma triggers in an indoor environment. For more information on asthma in our environment, visit www.epa.gov/asthma/. 

• Coordinates the Radon Resistant New Construction training. This workshop is designed to allow participants to gain more knowledge in the technical components of radon resistant new construction (RRNC) and building code processes. Participants also learn the dynamics of implementing community-wide action plans that encourage residential testing and mitigation. 

• Actively promotes improved IAQ in schools.   

• Sponsors a large number of participants to attend IAQ Tools for Schools National Symposium. This symposium, sponsored by USEPA, features innovative sessions that address various topics associated with implementing an IAQ program in a school setting including. These topics include communication strategies, mold remediation, facilities management, integrated pest management, new school construction, student performance, advocacy, financing, asthma management, and more. An awards ceremony is held each year to honor schools with exemplary IAQ programs. For more information, click here.

Radon/Indoor Air Quality Program Resources & Opportunities

• IAQ Tools for Schools National Symposium

• IAQ Asthma Triggers Workshop

• NEHA's Radon Resistant New Construction Workshop

• National Radon Proficiency Program

• USEPA, Indoor Environments Division (USEPA/IED)

• Radon and Indoor Air Quality Information Web Sites

Questions OR Comments? For information about the National Radon Proficiency Program, please visit www.radongas.org.  

For all other questions about NEHA's Radon/IAQ program, please contact Larry Marcum, Radon/IAQ Program Manager, or 303.756.9090, ext. 303, or Elizabeth Landeen, IAQ Assistant Manager, or (860)351-5099.

Radon and Indoor Air Quality Information Links

• USEPA Asthma Awareness Month and World Asthma Day

• USEPA Indoor Air Quality-Radon

• USEPA Indoor Air Quality-Asthma and Indoor Environments

• USEPA Indoor Air Quality-Smoke-Free Homes

• USEPA Indoor Air Quality-Molds

• USEPA Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program

• USEPA Indoor Air Quality Design Tools for Schools

• USEPA Indoor Air Quality in Large Buildings- I-BEAM

• USEPA Indoor Air Quality Publications

• USEPA Indoor Air Quality-Frequently Asked Questions

• USEPA Building Science Corporation-House Design Recommendations by Climate Regions

• USEPA Framework for Asthma Home Visit Programs

• USEPA Referred for Application (RFA) Form

• The Environmental Law Institute-Database of State Indoor Air Quality Laws

• USEPA's new Implementing a Asthma Home Visit Program

Network Results

• Nearly 300,000 individuals were reached through education presentations on radon and indoor air quality given by NEHA field partners.

• 428 real estate presentations were completed.

• 8,076 minority or low income individuals were reached.

• 27,886 homes were tested.

• 766 homes were mitigated.

• 64,056 radon test kits were sold or distributed.

• 33 communities now require testing or disclosure as part of a real estate transaction.

• 51 real estate companies now voluntarily include testing and/or disclosure as part of their services.

• 109 communities now implement IAQ Tools for Schools.