Model Clean Indoor Air Act
Aerosol transmission drives the spread of many infectious diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, measles, and RSV. Improvements to indoor air quality (IAQ) through enhanced air filtration, system maintenance, and ventilation are crucial for preventing the spread of these and other emerging diseases, as well as reducing contaminants in indoor air. The benefits of good IAQ extend beyond infectious diseases to help reduce the incidence of chronic conditions like asthma and even lower the risk of certain cancers and complications of cardiovascular disease. Improvements to bolster IAQ are often neglected, even though most people spend an average of 90% of their time indoors.
In December 2022, the Center for Health Security began work with the Center for Public Health Law and Policy at Arizona State University to develop a model law for consideration by state legislatures to help improve IAQ in public buildings, thereby promoting individual and communal health. The Center's IAQ Project Team drafted a blueprint outline of the Model Clean Indoor Air Act (formerly called the “Model State Indoor Air Quality Act”). On March 6–7, 2023, the team convened a National Advisory Committee of subject matter experts to vet the blueprint and share ideas on potential provisions. Committee members engaged in robust discussion of the initial premises, objectives, and blueprint for the act, providing feedback on dozens of legislative provisions. The team shared an initial draft of the model law with committee members on April 1, 2023, and released a final version on August 17, 2023. Click here to view the Model Clean Indoor Air Act, including preface, explanatory comments, figures, and table of contents of the act and its provisions.
Resources:
- Model Clean Indoor Air Act* (PDF)
- August 17, 2023 webinar, "Breath of Fresh Air: Unveiling the Model Clean Indoor Air Act to Safeguard Public Health" and transcript (PDF)
- MCIAA one-pager (PDF)
- Article: JAMA Viewpoint on the Model Clean Indoor Air Act
- Meeting report: National Advisory Committee Meeting on Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security’s Model Clean Indoor Air Act
Blog post, Addressing Indoor Air Quality through Model Law
* The name of this document was changed from the 'Model State Indoor Air Quality Act' to the 'Model Clean Indoor Air Act.' No other changes have been made to the content or provisions of the document.
Areas of Focus:
- Global Health Security
- Emerging Infectious Disease and Epidemics
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