Thirty-two state and local governments, tribes, and non-profit organizations will receive a total of $1.2 million in funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support indoor air quality (IAQ) projects. In awarding the Indoor Air Assistance Agreements, the EPA emphasized projects that assist low-income and minority families, who the agency says are disproportionately affected by poor IAQ.

Funds may be used toward projects such as those that:

• Increase effective indoor air quality practices through community level education and outreach.

• Promote positive indoor air quality management practices in schools by working with school districts and teachers.

• Increase the number of homes tested for radon, homes built with radon-resistant features, and existing homes mitigated for radon.

• Create awareness to reduce asthma triggers in the home and encourage the use of asthma management plans through community based asthma programs.

Recipients of the funds must measure the results of their activities as part of the EPA agreement. Results must involve outputs (an activity or associated product related to a larger environmental or programmatic goal or objective to be produced or provided over a specific period of time or by a specific date that is qualitatively or quantitatively measurable) and outcomes (a measureable result—whether it is programmatic, behavioral, environmental, or health-related in nature—that occurs from the program or activity).
More information about Indoor Air Assistance Agreements is online at epa.gov/iaq/regional_funding.html.