Policy & Funding

White House Launches Clean Air in Buildings Challenge

• By David Nagel
• 03/17/22

The White House launched a new program Thursday, calling on schools, colleges and universities to work to improve indoor air quality. In conjunction with the launch, the Environmental Protection Agency also released new guidelines for best practices for improving indoor air quality and reducing the spread of COVID-19 further.

The White House program, called the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, calls on "leaders and building owners and operators of all types to assess their indoor air quality and make ventilation and air filtration improvements to help keep occupants safe." It's a part of the Biden administration's National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.

While specific funds have not been set aside for the challenge, the Biden administration said it will be working with school districts and other institutions "to make ventilation improvements and upgrades using American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds. The Administration will work closely with public sector partners like schools to provide guidance and technical assistance to make these improvements and connect them to agency resources on indoor air quality."

Among the recommendations issued by the EPA in this document are:

1. "Create an action plan for clean indoor air in your building(s) that assesses IAQ, plans for upgrades and improvements, and includes HVAC inspections and maintenance."
2. "Optimize fresh air ventilation by bringing in and circulating clean outdoor air indoors."
3. "Enhance air filtration and cleaning using the central HVAC system and in-room air cleaning devices."
4. "Get your community engaged in your action plan by communicating with building occupants to increase awareness, commitment, and participation in improving indoor air quality and health outcomes."

Further details on the EPA's indoor air quality guidelines and the White House's Clean Air in Buildings Challenge can be found at epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/clean-air-buildings-challenge.

Spaces4Learning will be hosting a free webinar on the topic of indoor air quality April 13 at 11 a.m. Pacific/2 p.m. Eastern. Registration is available here.