Air Quality

Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division (U.S. EPA/IED), NEHA administered its Radon/Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program to train environmental health professionals (EHPs) about IAQ and radon. Individuals participated in three-day workshops designed to teach 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 was a significant component of a larger national radon risk effort. To date, NEHA has trained a network of well over 1,000 EHPs on radon and other IAQ issues. 

Activities under This Program:

Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC) Workshop: 
2 ½ day workshop designed to allow participants to gain more knowledge in the technical components of RRNC, the health effects of exposure to elevated levels of radon gas, and building code processes.

IAQ Asthma Triggers Workshop: 
2-day workshop designed to reflect national priorities in addressing IAQ and the health impacts resulting from IAQ contaminants.

IAQ Tools for Schools National Symposium: 
sponsored individuals to attend this symposium, sponsored by U.S. EPA, which features innovative sessions that address various topics associated with implementing an IAQ program in a school setting.

For all other questions about NEHA's Radon/IAQ program, please contact Marissa Mills at (303) 756-9090 ext. 304 or mmills@neha.org.

When was the last time you thought about breathing? There are things we take for granted that we do every day, and breathing is one of them. In fact, the average adult takes about 23,000 breathes each day and the average child takes about 43,000. Breathing is essential to life and everyone should have the right to breathe clean air. 

EH professionals work with air quality in a seemingly unlimited way. From indoor to outdoor air quality and asthma prevention to third-hand smoke, EH professionals are working within your home and community to keep our environment healthy and thriving.

NEHA recently put together an infographic that details the effects of bad air quality, caused by radon indoors, or vehicle emissions outdoors.

Environmental Health Saves Lives, Saves Money, and Protects Our Future

Environmental Health professionals ensure the air we breathe is safe by testing and monitoring air in the places we live and work. 

NEHA Air Quality Resources

Radon - Learn about Radon and how to test and mitigate your home.

E-learning Opportunities – NEHA has select air quality educational opportunities available online. These sessions also provide continuing education credit for NEHA members.

Journal of Environmental Health – The Journal of Environmental Health is published 10 times per year by the National Environmental Health Association and keeps readers up-to-date on current issues, new research, useful products and services, and employment opportunities. We frequently cover issues of importance to air quality professionals, and reprints are available through Content Editor.

Community Calendar – Many NEHA affiliate conferences and other conferences have sessions related to air quality. Check our calendar periodically to find events of interest. 

Other Air Quality Resources

Particle Pollution and Your Patients' Health -  This course will provide health professionals with knowledge they can share with patients to help reduce overall risk of particle pollution-related health effects, particularly in individuals with heart and lung disease

CDC Air Quality – CDC has resources for the general public and EH professionals on air pollutants, public health issues, research and data.

EPA's AirData – The AirData website gives access to air quality data collected at outdoor monitors across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U. S. Virgin Islands.

EPA's AirNow – The AIRNow website provides the general public with easy access to national air-quality information. It offers daily air-quality forecasts as well as real-time air quality for over 275 cities across the United States.

EPA's Indoor Air Quality for Schools – EPA provides resources, trainings and toolkits for teachers and EH professionals on topics such as radon, asthma, energy savings in schools.

NASA Air Quality – NASA has air quality maps and data taken from space, as well as news and resources for EH professionals.

American Lung Association's State of the Air: The ALA's State of the Air report organizes air quality by county and includes yearly rankings.