As the most concerning waves of the COVID-19 pandemic have ebbed and flowed and now reside in the rear-view mirror, many Americans are now facing forward in their desire to return to normal.
But that doesn’t mean COVID-19 is gone, nor does it mean we can afford to ignore other potentially hazardous airborne viruses.
As a result, the U.S. government has issued a new air quality challenge. Here’s what you need to know:
#1 — What is the Clean Air Challenge?
As of March 2022, the Biden Administration released new guidelines regarding indoor air quality for property owners, schools, and other commercial spaces.
“The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge is a call to action for leaders and building owners and operators of all types to assess their indoor air quality and make ventilation and air filtration improvements to help keep occupants safe,” the White House explained in their March 17 press release.
Put simply, the new challenge has been issued in the wake of American society crawling toward life as usual. While many areas are restabilizing, it is important to remain vigilant in fostering safe and healthy environments.
Additionally, approximately $1.9 trillion worth of funds from the American Rescue Plan have been allocated in order to help optimize the indoor air quality of both schools and public buildings, thereby helping them to take more effective measures.
#2 — How Can I Participate?
If you’re a leader, operator, or manager who would like to participate in the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, the good news is that there’s no shortage of ways to get involved.
That is, you can take part in the four action guidelines specified in the challenge:
- Create a clean indoor action plan
- Optimize fresh indoor ventilation
- Enhance air filtration and cleaning
- Engage the building community
“While the recommended actions cannot completely eliminate risks, they will reduce them,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Infectious diseases like COVID-19 can spread through the inhalation of airborne particles and aerosols.”
Overall, some of the suggestions involved in the aforementioned are more affordable but short-term in nature (like using air purifiers and air cleaners), while others are long-term and require an increased cost, such as upgrading your HVAC or ventilation systems. What is both necessary and attainable is up to each individual owner or business.
Otherwise, to learn more, we recommend you check out the EPA’s official guidelines regarding actions you may take to participate in the new challenge.
#3 — What Else Can I Do?/What If I’m a Homeowner?
If you’d like to take back control of your indoor air quality — be it in a commercial or residential property — one of the best things you can do is schedule an indoor air assessment.
And from mold to asbestos, water damage, and more, here at Luce Air Quality, our professional technicians are equipped to help you determine the overall health of your building! With expert evaluations, certified solutions, and reliable results, you’ll find that our locally-owned and operated business can help you breathe a healthy sigh of relief.
What’s more, we can also offer you actionable recommendations that help you better understand what you need to do in order to excel in the new Clean Air in Buildings Challenge.
Ready to learn more? Contact our team today by calling 904-803-1014 to schedule your investigation!