California's program: Indoor air problems aren't amenable to regulation

Journal Article · · EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:7183492

Wesolowski, J ^[1]

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1. California Dept. of Health Services, Berkeley, CA (United States)

In 1982, California's legislature established an Indoor Air Quality Program (CIAQP) in the Department of Health Services to carry out research on the nature and extent of the indoor air problem (excluding industrial worksites), to find appropriate mitigation measures, and to promote and coordinate the efforts of other state agencies. Since indoor air problems usually are not amenable to regulatory solutions, regulatory authority was not included in the mandate. The program conducts research into a wide range of contaminants--radon, asbestos, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), as well as into biological aerosols that cause such diseases as Legionnaires disease, tuberculosis, allergies, and asthma. Studies are also carried out to better understand the Sick Building Syndrome. The research includes field surveys to determine the exposure of the population to specific contaminants and experiments in the laboratory to develop protocols for reducing exposures. The research emphasizes measurement of exposure--concentration multiplied by the time a person is exposed--as opposed to measurement of concentration only.

• OSTI ID: 7183492
• Journal Information: EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Journal; (United States), Journal Name: EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Journal; (United States) Vol. 19:4; ISSN 0145-1189; ISSN EPAJDB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ALDEHYDES
ASBESTOS
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CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
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NONMETALS
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ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
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POLLUTION CONTROL
RADON
RARE GASES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
USA