Document X87VQBGg5zw8qrwaOJMbayq3w

7NDOOR AIR QUALITY ISSUES I. The Anderson Lab draft proposal of modifications to the existing ASTH E981-84 Test Method for Estimating Sensory Irritancy of Airborne chemicals which was first introduced in April 1991, has yet to be adopted. At the most recent ASTM D 22.05 Sub-committee on IAQ held in Atlanta, GA April 28, 1993 it was disclosed that a new draft version from Anderson Labs is awaiting results of ongoing research and interlabora- tory studies. II, Federal Legislative Activities Two bills on IAQ, 5656 and HR 1930 were recently introduced in Congress. The Senate bill introduced by Senator Mitchell on March 25, 1993 is very similar to the previous submission which was approved in November 1991, HR 1930 in Y ' .|i r troduced on April 29, 1993 is a later version of HR 1066 which could have required manufacturers to provide information with regard to the total voc's that are "of-gassedM from their, products. While both bills require the creation of management practices, health advisories and response strategies, HR 1930 imposes additional regulatory requirements. The House bill would regulate indoor air pollutants under the Toxic Sub stances and Control Act (TSCA) and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. In addition, the House version would require the EPA to consider exposure to these substances in setting R&S 144253 2 Clean Air Act (CAA) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAPS). The House bill would also require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to regulate certain indoor air contaminants e.g. formaldehyde, MEK, etc. These proposals if enancted are far reaching in their inclusion of additional regulatory requirements under TSCA and CPSCO. In addition, EPA is directed to give particular attention to those contaminants '`known to cause or contribute to, or which are suspected of causing or contributing to" cancer, genetic mut-ation, and other effects, and that have the greatest potential for human exposure. The health advisories which are mandated would identify indoor air contaminants which are "likely to occur at concentrations which have adverse human health effects" and would contain information on exposure and health risks posed by each substance. Activities on the state Legislative'level are also ac celerating with a number of IAQ bills introduced in Massa chusetts, Michigan, New York, Texas, Missouri and Washington. III. EPA Activities EPA's office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics has be gun a multi-year effort to identify and characterize the sources of indoor air contaminants. ThB program will examine R&S 144254 3 building materials, consumer products, furnishings etc, and will characterize the use of emissions by product classes. EPA held an IAQ workshop in March to discuss possibl areas of concern requiring additional research in source control and reduction of indoor air pollutants. Vinyl and fabric wall covering, interior panels, and ceiling tile were among the building materials selected for further study. XV. AIA Issues The American Institute of Architects issued an advisory on March 4, 1993 termed "Low-Toxic Building Materials", This encompassed numerous categories such as Insulation, Flooring, Sealants, Plumbing, siding, windows, Interior walls, Cabinetry, etc. Vinyl was classified "generally highly toxic" throughout the various categories. LF/cmp August 19, 1993 R&S 144255