Model Clean Indoor Air Act

Aerosol transmission drives the spread of many infectious diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, measles, and RSV. Improvements to indoor air quality (IAQ) through enhanced air filtration, system maintenance, and ventilation are crucial for preventing the spread of these and other emerging diseases, as well as reducing contaminants in indoor air. The benefits of good IAQ extend beyond infectious diseases to help reduce the incidence of chronic conditions like asthma and even lower the risk of certain cancers and complications of cardiovascular disease. Improvements to bolster IAQ are often neglected, even though most people spend an average of 90% of their time indoors.

In December 2022, the Center for Health Security began work with the Center for Public Health Law and Policy at Arizona State University to develop a model law for consideration by state legislatures to help improve IAQ in public buildings, thereby promoting individual and communal health. The Centers IAQ Project Team drafted a blueprint outline of the forthcoming Model Clean Indoor Air Act. On March 6–7, 2023, the team convened a National Advisory Committee of subject matter experts to vet the blueprint and share ideas on potential provisions. Committee members engaged in robust discussion of the initial premises, objectives, and blueprint for the act, providing feedback on dozens of legislative provisions. The team shared an initial draft of the model law with committee members on April 1, 2023, and released a final version on August 17, 2023. Click here to view the Model Clean Indoor Air Act, including preface, explanatory comments, figures, and table of contents of the act and its provisions.

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Contact the IAQ team:

indoorair@jhu.edu