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Nonoccupational exposures to indoor air pollutants: a survey of state programs and practices.

Bernstein RS; Falk H; Turner DR; Melius JM

Am J Public Health 1984 Sep; 74(9):1020-1023

https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.74.9.1020

00168040

A survey of state programs and practices for dealing with nonoccupational exposures to indoor air pollutants was conducted. The Center for Environmental Health, NIOSH, and the Centers for Disease Control conducted a national survey of state health departments to identify program components that evaluated nonoccupational indoor air pollutants (NIAPs), to characterize the range of NIAPs subject to state evaluation, and to determine the state practices for handling exposure to formaldehyde (50000). Only one state did not have a NIAP program or other formal means of consultation and technical assistance; however, only 11 NIAP programs offered to conduct comprehensive medical or epidemiological evaluations of nonoccupational building related complaints. The scope of NIAPs subject to evaluation also varied widely, but most were quite limited. Twenty nine states provided air sampling services to evaluate nonoccupational exposure to formaldehyde. Two charged nominal fees per visit or per sample. Forty seven states had no existing or proposed NIAP exposure standard. In three states that had proposed standards for formaldehyde exposure in houses or mobile homes the standards were under legal challenge. Only one state had a NIAP exposure standard in effect (for tobacco smoke). The authors conclude that there is a need for coordinated, consistent approaches to define and control emerging environmental public health problems such as indoor air pollution.

NIOSH-Author; Air-quality; Air-contamination; Environmental-contamination; Aldehydes; Environmental-exposure; Environmental-pollution; Regulations; Air-quality-measurement

Robert S. Bernstein, MD, PhD, Centers for Disease Control. NIOSH, DSDTT, DDB (C-16), 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226

AJHEAA

50-00-0

19840901

Journal Article

1984

9

0090-0036

DSDTT; DSHEFS

American Journal of Public Health

OH