Duncan Drafts New Air Quality Law; Focuses on Indoor Pollution

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

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Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
James Caldwell, 240-777-7700

For Immediate Release: January 30, 2001

Duncan Drafts New Air Quality Law;
Focuses on Indoor Pollution

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today sent legislation to the County Council strengthening local air quality standards and establishing tough new rules on indoor air pollution.

"This proposed legislation will give the County a leadership role in addressing the health impacts resulting from indoor air pollution," said Duncan. "Indoor air quality is among the top five environmental health risks facing the public, and this new legislation will give us the tools to protect the safety and well being of our residents and businesses."

The proposed legislation will allow the County to protect multi-tenant residential and commercial spaces from indoor air pollution by allowing the County to take enforcement actions when indoor air pollutants are emitted beyond property lines. The County would also have the authority to require compliance testing and development of a compliance plan.

Indoor levels of many air pollutants can be 25 to 100 times greater than outdoor levels, which is of particular concern because most people spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors.

"The quality of indoor air in our homes and offices has been declining steadily during the past three decades," said James Caldwell, director of the County's Department of Environmental Protection. "Increased energy conservation during the 1970's led to superior insulation materials, tight-fitting windows and doors, and other construction features which have effectively bottled up our living and work spaces. Unfortunately, while keeping out cold drafts, those design elements have also sealed in a host of potentially harmful air pollutants."

The County sent a letter to the Maryland Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) today clarifying the County's intention that OHSA would remain the designated authority to protect workers by enforcing air quality violations in the workplace.

During the 1970's, the focus on improving air quality was to control outdoor emissions from stationary sources. Today, many of the provisions of the original legislation are no longer necessary. The proposed legislation will bring the law into compliance with current state and federal requirements and definitions and other County environmental codes, and eliminate obsolete or unenforceable provisions.

For more information, call 240-777-7700 or check the County's website at www.askDEP.com.

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