Mold Resources

Considering that we spend about 90% of our time indoors each day, it's clear that indoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial to our health and well-being. Yet, IAQ often doesn't get the attention it deserves in the wellness conversation. Who regulates indoor air quality to ensure it’s healthy for you? The answer may surprise you… 

So, Who Regulates Indoor Air Quality?

IAQ remains largely unregulated.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an Indoor Air Quality Division that offers information and tips to help improve IAQ. However, the responsibility for maintaining healthy indoor air largely falls on individual homeowners. There are a few exceptions, such as air quality regulations in public schools, but even these are loosely enforced.

So, who regulates indoor air quality? Primarily, it's up to homeowners to ensure a healthy IAQ in their homes. The EPA provides valuable tips to help with this.

First, reduce triggers in your living environment. Common triggers include VOCs, PFAS, dust mites, mold, bacteria, outdoor air pollution, and chemical irritants. Regular cleaning with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter can significantly reduce allergens. Installing air purification systems can help maintain good IAQ despite outdoor pollutants. Using low-VOC chemicals whenever possible is also beneficial.

Other important steps include testing for microbial growth annually, ensuring your home has a proper and functioning ventilation system, investing in an air quality monitor, mitigating moisture, maintaining humidity between 35-50%, and using a leak detection system. 

Also, help promote greater awareness for indoor air quality so that we can begin to see better protections for individuals around the world. In the future, the answer to “who regulates indoor air quality” should be clear and comprehensive.