SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1504

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives R. King, D. Sommers, Todd, Belcher, Fraser, S. Wilson, Schmidt, Phillips and Cooper)

Providing for the evaluation of indoor air quality in public buildings.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 29, 1989; March 30, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Benitz, Kreidler, Owen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Barry Brandon (786-7717)

                  March 30, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Indoor air quality is rapidly becoming an important environmental and public health issue.  Most of the research and regulatory activity relating to air pollution has focused on the outdoor environment or the industrial workplace.  However, many people spend much of their day in offices, schools, and other public buildings that contain air contaminants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that people spend up to 90 percent of each day indoors.  Pollution levels indoors often exceed those outdoors, and may even exceed outdoor air pollution standards.

Methods of controlling indoor air pollution include source removal or substitution, ventilation, air filtration and purification, and encapsulation of the pollutant.

In 1988, the Governor established the Interagency Task Force on Indoor Air Pollution.  The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is the lead agency for the task force.  Other members include the Departments of Social and Health Services, General Administration, Community Development (State Building Code Council), Ecology, and Personnel, as well as the Office of Financial Management, the Energy Office and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The goals of the task force are to:  clarify agency responsibilities; identify the need for ongoing agency coordination; monitor trends in indoor air complaints; develop educational materials; and monitor local and national studies.  Findings and recommendations of the task force are due to the Governor by June of 1989.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is required to coordinate with other state agencies to make policy and regulatory recommendations on indoor air pollution, review indoor air programs in public schools, and provide educational material on indoor air pollution to state agencies. L&I must recommend measures of implementing these recommendations to the Legislature.

The State Building Code Council must review the mechanical ventilation and filtration standards in the State Building Code, compare these to the industry standard, and make changes as appropriate.

Public agencies are encouraged to evaluate the adequacy of their ventilation and filtration systems in light of industry recommendations and maintain and operate such systems to allow for maximum operating efficiency.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) may implement a model indoor air quality program in one school district.  The SPI is required to report on this program, evaluate existing ventilation and filtration systems in public schools, and make recommendations for all public schools by December 1, 1990.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 13, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Dick King, original sponsor (pro); Debbie Ringman (pro); Simon Turner, ACVA Atlantic, Inc. (pro); Steve Cant, Department of Labor and Industries (pro); Joe Daniels (pro); Eugene St. John, WPEA (pro)