ATLANTA — Judging by the numbers and types of indoor air quality (IAQ) related bills passed during this year's state legislative sessions, indoor mold still reigns as the IAQ issue of most concern to U.S. state legislators, in particular regulating the licensing of people involved in mold assessment and remediation, according to Aerias, an online resource for IAQ information and education.

With respect to indoor mold, eight states have passed legislation with four of the 10 bills addressing licensing of mold assessors and remediators. Efforts have been made to exempt certified industrial hygienists from mold remediation license requirements, which so far have not been successful. Texas passed three of the indoor mold-related bills.

Connecticut and Tennessee each passed legislation to improve indoor air quality in schools. Connecticut House Bill 6436 authorizes biennial inspections of all school buildings in Connecticut, and a joint Tennessee bill (SB 605 and HB 891) allows the state's Commissioner of Education, with the assistance of a task force, to establish mold remediation guidelines for Tennessee public schools.

Of the legislation considered this year, nearly one-quarter dealt with mold and mold remediation, another quarter with IAQ in schools, and the remainder on improving air quality in public buildings, says Aerias.

For more information, visit www.aerias.org.

Publication date: 07/07/2003