After Dangerous Air Quality Blankets D.C. Region, Walkinshaw, Beyer, Fitzpatrick, Tonko, & Norton Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Air in Federal Buildings

Following a weekend of dangerously poor air quality across the Washington region, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), joined by Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) introduced the bipartisan Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act to identify and address air quality and ventilation problems across federal buildings.

Recently, wildfire smoke pushed the region into Code Purple conditions, meaning the air was considered very unhealthy for everyone.

"Last week's dangerous air quality was a stark reminder that clean indoor air is essential to protecting public health," said Congressman Walkinshaw. "Federal employees should never have to risk their health by showing up to work, yet the General Services Administration's own watchdog has identified persistent ventilation problems in federal buildings. Our bipartisan bill will uncover these deficiencies and require agencies to develop concrete plans to fix them."

"Too many of our federal buildings have aging ventilation and systems that may no longer meet modern standards. We know that indoor air quality impacts the health and productivity of our workforce and as outside threats like wildfire smoke and other climate-driven impacts become more common and further threaten indoor air quality, we have a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of the public servants who keep our government running," said Congressman Beyer. "Our bill would provide the comprehensive information needed to identify deficiencies in air quality and ventilation standards, guide necessary improvements, and help ensure our federal workforce can breathe clean, healthy air in the workplace."

"The federal government should lead by example when it comes to protecting the health and safety of its workforce," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "The men and women who serve the American people should never be placed at risk by preventable failures in the buildings where they work. This bipartisan bill will identify those failures, demand corrective action, and ensure our federal facilities meet the standard our public servants deserve."

"In recent weeks, communities across the Northeast have experienced the public health harms that stem from unsafe air quality," said Congressman Tonko. "We know that poor air quality can lead to negative health impacts in both the short and long term. But for too many Americans, poor ventilation and filtration in our buildings mean that even spending time indoors does not offer adequate protection. Our government must do more to address indoor air quality, and we can start by improving ventilation and filtration in federal facilities across the nation. That's why I'm proud to support the Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act, a bipartisan bill that will help our government lead by example and ensure that our hardworking federal employees have a safe, healthy environment in which to work on behalf of the American people."

"Federal employees should never have to wonder whether the air in their own workplace is safe to breathe," Congresswoman Norton said. "I'm proud to join Congressman Walkinshaw and this bipartisan coalition in cosponsoring the Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act. GAO's review will finally give us the data we need to hold GSA and federal agencies accountable for the ventilation problems their own watchdog has already flagged. This is a commonsense, bipartisan step, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it."

"We are proud to endorse the bipartisan Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act, innovative and long overdue legislation introduced by Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA) and three longtime champions for safe and healthy indoor air quality, Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Don Beyer (D-VA). While many public officials are speaking out now due to the hazardous smoke covering many states in our nation, these four Members of Congress have advocated for assessing HVAC deficiencies and remediating indoor air quality dangers for many years at the local, state and federal levels, especially in schools, military facilities and all types of public buildings. Our firms are the leaders in the installation of IAQ mechanical systems in existing buildings and facilities and in new public facility construction projects. These highly skilled construction corporations and their skilled workforce know well that countless thousands of public employees and the millions of our citizens who visit public buildings nationwide will benefit from such a valuable federal effort. The Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act is a vital legislative effort to assess the federal building portfolio and then move quickly to better protect the health and well-being of America's public employees," said Stan Kolbe, Executive Director for Government and Political Affairs, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA).

"Over the last couple weeks, as hazardous air covered huge parts of the country, Americans have been reminded just how critical it is to make sure our buildings have clean, healthy air indoors," said the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART). "That's why it's so important for Congress to get behind the Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act. This bill would implement a comprehensive review of indoor air quality conditions across all federal buildings, protecting the safety of millions of people and putting SMART members to work ensuring indoor air quality in those buildings. This legislation just makes sense - for SMART sheet metal workers, government employees and Americans nationwide. We thank Rep. Walkinshaw for introducing this act, and we urge every pro-worker member of Congress to add their support."

"Federal employees deserve workplaces that are safe, healthy, and equipped to support their well-being. Too many federal workers spend their days in buildings with aging infrastructure and ventilation systems that may not provide the indoor air quality they need to do their jobs safely and effectively," said Everett Kelly, National President, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). "We commend Representative Walkinshaw for introducing this important legislation directing the Government Accountability Office to evaluate indoor air quality across federal buildings. This commonsense step will help identify where improvements are needed, strengthen workplace health and safety, and ensure the federal government is making informed investments in the facilities where public servants work every day. AFGE is proud to support this effort to protect the health of the federal workforce."

"Ensuring that federal buildings provide healthy indoor environments is essential to protecting occupant health and supporting productivity," said Sarah E. Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP BD+C, President, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). "A comprehensive review of indoor air quality across the federal building portfolio will provide valuable information about how these facilities perform against nationally recognized indoor air quality standards and where improvements may be needed. This legislation demonstrates a commitment to improving the spaces where millions of federal employees and visitors live, work, and conduct business."

The legislation directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive review of indoor air quality, ventilation, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system performance across federal buildings and facilities. The review would examine:

• Whether federal buildings meet applicable air quality, ventilation, and HVAC standards;
• How agencies monitor, test, and document indoor air quality;
• The frequency and causes of air quality deficiencies;
• Whether agencies effectively identify and correct indoor air hazards; and
• The qualifications and certifications of workers performing HVAC installation, maintenance, and remediation.

GAO would report its findings and recommendations to Congress within 12 months. Agencies found to have material indoor air quality deficiencies would then have six months to submit corrective action plans.

The bill is endorsed by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

Read the full bill text here.