HOUSE BILL REPORT

 

 

                                    HB 1302

 

 

BYRepresentatives D. Sommers, Rust, Sprenkle, Valle, Nealey, Pruitt, Brekke, Fraser, Moyer, Rector and R. King 

 

 

Requiring standards for indoor air quality.

 

 

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

 

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Rust, Chair;  Valle, Vice Chair; D. Sommers, Ranking Republican Member;  Brekke, G. Fisher, Fraser, Phillips, Pruitt, Schoon, Sprenkle, Van Luven and Walker.

 

      House Staff:Bonnie Austin (786-7107)

 

 

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS FEBRUARY 7, 1989

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Indoor air quality is rapidly becoming an important environmental issue.  Although most of the research and regulatory activity relating to air pollution has focused on the outdoor environment or the industrial workplace, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency estimates that people spend up to ninety percent of each day indoors. Pollution levels indoors often exceed those outdoors, and may exceed outdoor air pollution standards.

 

Indoor air pollutants generally fall into two categories: particles (solid or liquid droplets) and gases or vapors. Particles include all respirable suspended particles, tobacco smoke, asbestos fibers, allergens (pollen, fungi, mold spores, animal dander, insect parts) and pathogens (bacteria and viruses).  Gases include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and oxides of nitrogen.

 

A major source of indoor air pollution is indoor combustion. Combustion sources of indoor air pollution include gas ranges, unvented gas or kerosene heaters, woodburning stoves or fireplaces, and tobacco smoking.  Indoor combustion produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and respirable suspended particles.  Concentrations of carbon monoxide can produce fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, and nausea; high concentrations can result in death.  Acute exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide is associated with hyperventilation, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, and drowsiness.

 

Another source of indoor air pollution is formaldehyde.  Sources of formaldehyde include pressed wood products, insulation, combustion, textiles, furnishings, and other consumer products.  Low level exposure to formaldehyde can result in eye, nose, and throat irritation.  Long-term exposure has been associated with headaches, dizziness, nausea, coughing, recurring respiratory infections, menstrual irregularities, and may cause cancer.

 

High levels of humidity provide an environment in which some allergens and pathogens thrive and may contribute to the spread of infections and immunological reactions. Sources include damp carpeting, walls and furnishings, humidifiers, flush toilets, air conditioners and ice machines.

 

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 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, 1989.

 

SUMMARY:

 

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to establish indoor air quality advisory levels for residential buildings and schools.  These advisory levels must include maximum concentration levels for the following pollutants: (1) formaldehyde; (2) carbon monoxide; (3) carbon dioxide; and (4) water vapor.  The advisory levels must be reported to the State Building Code Council by November 1, 1989.

 

The State Building Code Council (SBCC) is required to conduct a review of techniques to reduce and mitigate the presence of indoor air pollutants.  This review must include an assessment of federal, regional, and state activity in this area, and the identification of codes or standards that may be appropriate for consideration by the state.  The SBCC shall report to the governor and legislature by December 1, 1989.

 

The SBCC is required to develop ventilation and source control standards designed to control indoor air pollution in residential buildings and incorporate these standards into the State Building Code.

 

By December 1, 1991, the SBCC must adopt rules requiring that all new residential buildings be constructed to control, reduce, and mitigate the presence of indoor air pollution.

 

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  DSHS is directed to establish advisory levels for indoor air quality rather than standards.  These advisory levels must be established for residential buildings and schools, and must be reported to the State Building Code Council by November 1, 1989.  The original bill required standards be adopted for residential buildings only and did not require a report to the Building Code Council.  Language requiring the SBCC to require mechanical ventilation systems was deleted.

 

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 23, 1989.

 

Effective Date:This bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

 

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Linda Tanz, Lung Association.

 

House Committee - Testified Against:      Eric Slagle, DSHS Environmental Health Programs.

 

House Committee - Testimony For:    There is much public conern about indoor air quality.  Indoor air quality affects those persons with pre-existing lung disease.  Building ventilation is important.

 

House Committee - Testimony Against:      The State Board of Health should be responsible for adopting indoor air quality standards.  The January 1, 1990 date for adoption of standards should be extended.  There may be enforcement problems as the bill is currently drafted.