20 | December 2022
meeting manager Wendy Stevens to add a
pre-conference workshop.
Radon Awareness Week
Risk Reduction Webinar
A CDC Environmental Health Nex-
us Webinar, Radon Awareness Week:
National- and State-Level Radon Risk Re-
duction Initiatives, will be held January 25,
from 1-2 p.m. EST.
This Environmental Health (EH) Nex-
us webinar hosted during CDC's Radon
Awareness Week (January 23-27), features
two speakers representing national and
state-level radon risk reduction initiatives.
Katherine Pruitt, National Senior Director
of Policy at the American Lung Association,
and convenor of the National Radon Ac-
tion Plan (NRAP) Leadership Council will
present on background information on the
National Radon Action Plan Leadership
Council and the evolution of the Nation-
al Radon Action Plan and an overview of
NRAP 2021–2025's goals, strategy, and
progress. Jessica Maloney, Indoor Air and
Radon Program Manager for the Wiscon-
sin Department of Health will discuss Wis-
consin's new radon testing and mitigation
requirements for state-licensed childcare
centers and the state's tribes addressing
radon reduction statewide—an overview
of radon initiatives recently implemented
among indigenous communities.
You check out the Letter to EPA Admin-
istrator Regan, urging $110M funding for EPA
in FY24 to activate the White House Clean
Air Challenge and to rapidly expand informa-
tion and education efforts for healthy school
environments for all, and for environmental
health services for children.
IAQA 2023 Registration,
Hotel Rooms Now Open
A block of rooms for IAQA's 2023 An-
nual Meeting & Expo at the Austin Mar-
riott Downtown have been reser ved
for a discounted rate of $259 plus taxes
per night.
The deadline to book your room at the
discounted rate is on January 27, or until
sold out. Housing is available on a first-
come, first-served basis.
You can also register now to experience
top-notch networking, explore industry
offerings in the dynamic exhibit hall, and
access technical education taught by indus-
try experts. Your 2023 registration includes:
• All Educational/Meeting Sessions
(Pre-Conference Workshops not
included)
• Access to Final Papers and Presen-
tations
• Eligibility for Continuing Education
Credit Hours
• Access to the Exhibit Hall
• Access to Session Recordings 30
days after the Meeting
• February 19 at 5:30 PM CT. Make
aure to fly in early for this oppor-
tunity to catch up with industry col-
leagues, make new friends, meet our
exhibitors, and create connections.
You can also add a pre-conference
workshop to your registration! Even if you
can›t attend the full 3-day Expo, you can
still join us for a pre-conference workshop.
Already registered for the meeting, contact
Healthy Schools Network
Sounds EPA Funding Alarm
When the White House handed EPA a wel-
come initiative in March 2022—the Clean
Air in Buildings Challenge, it also posted a
toolkit listing existing federal programs for
school infrastructure, including those in the
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and
the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). For
schools, ARPA supports everything; BIL tar-
gets energy, safe transportation routes, and
lead in drinking water. But neither ARPA nor
BIL aims to rebuild America's schools, accord-
ing to the Healthy Schools Network. Neither
requires addressing polluted air in schools, a
decades-old public health problem that caus-
es asthma and disabilities, undercuts learning,
and ups family medical bills.
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
includes preventing air pollution in schools
at $50 million over 10 years: a starting
step. With $110 million annually, accord-
ing to the Healthy Schools Network, EPA
could lead a national educational campaign;
launch state and city planning; educate
schools, personnel, parents, and communi-
ties; invest in research; and host an advisory
committee on schools and childcare facili-
ties. EPA would also be in a better position
to ensure that the noble intentions of HHS,
Education, and Energy promote, and do no
further damage to clean indoor air, clean
water, and clean school facilities.
This month, with inadequate funding
in the just closed FY23 budget, 92 nation-
al and state NGOs agreed and co-signed
a letter to EPA Administrator Regan re-
questing a meeting to discuss the need
for investing in clean air in schools in FY24:
"This is the Administration's moment to put
the EPA's 30 years of expertise in indoor air
and indoor environments to work to improve
school buildings and grounds and thus the
health and learning outcomes for children,
especially for those most disadvantaged, in-
cluding children with disabilities."
Katherine Pruitt
