In the first half of 2007, many important developments with lasting implications for the remediation, restoration and IAQ industries took place. They span a wide range of areas, including legislation, standards development, and the expansion of IAQA’s scope of activity.
Legislation
2007 has already seen more than 20 state legislatures debating bills on building environmental assessment, mold licensing, and a host of other IAQ issues like second-hand smoke, radon and home inspections. Bills of interest to the remediation and restoration industry passed in a number of states. In July, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill (SB2234) that establishes a licensing program for mold assessors and remediators, as well as for home inspectors. The bill was three years in the making, and IAQA participated in a broad coalition that made positive changes to the original bill.
Colorado’s HB1104 restricts an insurance company’s ability to refer policy holders to property repair companies. Two bills passed in Connecticut: CT SB1051 requires the State Public Works Department to conduct a comprehensive inspection and evaluation of the indoor air quality for each state building before Jan. 1, 2009, and every five years thereafter. CT SB1110 requires local school boards to provide uniform inspection and evaluation programs for indoor air quality.
The Illinois bill (SB1257) requires the State Department of Public Health to submit a report on the implementation of federal regulations that establish scientific evidence concerning health effects associated with indoor fungi, bacteria and their byproducts. Minnesota’s HB402 requires a study on the regulation and licensing of professional applicators who apply antimicrobial pesticides in homes, apartments or other residences. In Maine, the governor signed a bill that implements the recommendations of the mold study task force; IAQA participated in that task force.
Standards Development
The Indoor Environmental Standards Organization convened the first meeting of its 80-member Standards Development Committee since becoming ANSI accredited in late 2006. The committee and its subcommittees made substantial progress on three draft standards related to the assessment of indoor environments. Participation in IESO committees is not restricted by membership in any particular organization, and IESO seeks additional volunteers. To learn more, visit www.iestandards.org.
Association Growth
Following last year’s membership consolidation with IESO and the American IAQ Council, IAQA emerged more than 5,000 members strong, and more than 300 new members have been added to IAQA’s ranks so far this year.
Also this year, new IAQA Chapters have been formed in Philadelphia; Hampton Roads, Va.; Chicago and Milwaukee. IAQA now has 37 chapters across the United States and Canada that hold affordable workshops two to four times annually. IAQA expects to launch as many as six additional new chapters this year.
Oct. 14-17, IAQA will welcome more than 1,200 people to Las Vegas for the 10th Annual Meeting & Exposition. Featuring dozens of technical sessions and a 120-booth exposition hall, the event takes place at the Rio All-Suites Hotel. “Exploring the Interdisciplinary IAQ Industry” is this year’s theme. The program will explore how different industry disciplines can work together to prevent, diagnose and solve indoor air quality problems. During much of the convention, session tracks focus on individual topics for specific disciplines, such as remediation, IAQ investigation, facility management and engineering. Cross-disciplinary sessions also populate the program, allowing attendees from different disciplines to better understand how to accomplish their mutual goals and network with potential vendors and clients.
For more information about these activities and others in the IAQ industry, visit www.iaqa.org or contact IAQA at (301) 231-8388.
