Healthy Indoors Magazine
Issue link: https://hi.healthyindoors.com/i/1493071
18 | February 2023 Crossroads Continued from previous page working on ools for Schools lead and asbestos contracting was big business and still is. Big change and huge growth were indeed on the horion, and then it stalled with the mid- term elections. Substantive IAI progress was sidelined. ushered in a period of change in the industry, this time in the way of the old Rush of . e were inundated with headlines decrying the scourge of toic black mold, and nearly overnight the mold remediation industry went fullblown. he hysteria spawned thousands of service providers eager to cash in on the easy revenue from a frightened public and shell shocked insurance industry. Scare tactics and misinformation were unbridled and readily amplified by the evolving internet. hese tactics were rampantly employed by what seemed to be an endless supply of snake oil products and services. he insurance industry cracked down, legislation was attempted, and hardhit states like eas and lorida created new licensing reuirements for consultants and contractors to stem the unregulated tides of the rush. he indoor environmental industry flourished, for a time, as did the organiations with their newlyminted mold certifi- cation programs. But, as previously happened in the s, the proverbial wind left the sails, and things again somewhat flatlined. hree years ago, the global pandemic brought concerns about our indoor environments to the forefront once again, this time to never seen levels. Stories in the media and social media posts were at an alltime high. Researchers and profes- sionals became household names on witter with the hashtag CIisairborne. oday, those same folks are fighting to be heard. orse, theyre fighting against misinformation or new studies that may not tell the whole story. Case in point o we need r. imberly rather on witter trying to hold Slate magaine accountable for whether masks help protect us against CI ope. asks work. ets move along. he industry sits on a precipice now, with the oppor tunity for unparalleled advancements and growth, while sitting on the edge of the abyss of worldwide climate disaster and economic collapse. isting organiations are vying to remain relevant to retain members and attendees for their events, while simultaneously, new organiations are springing up to fight for a piece of the action. Where Are We Now? oday, collaborations are being built from the pandemic moment and are epected to further raise awareness in the public on IA. he big uestion is can we build things fast enough to hold peoples attention. Office disinfection during the pandemic wasn't a good look for the IAQ industry.