The Indoor Environments Division IED, located within the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air ORIA, under the Office of Air and Radiation OAR, is responsible for implementing EPA’s Indoor Environments Program, a voluntary nonregulatory program to address indoor air pollution.Most Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, where pollutant levels may be 25 times higher, and occasionally 100 times higher, than outdoors. The Agency defines indoor air pollution as chemical, physical or biological contaminants in the breathable air inside a habitable structure or conveyance, such as in homes, schools, offices, and vehicles. Sources of indoor air pollution include natural sources, building materials, products, and occupant activities. Health effects from indoor air pollution range from immediate to longterm, and treatable to severely debilitating or fatal.EPAs Indoor Environments Division seeks to reduce human health risks posed by contaminants in indoor environments. IED analyzes those risks based on sound science, and uses social marketing techniques to conduct broad public education and outreach. IED encourages people to take action to minimize their risk and mitigate indoor air quality problems. To complement efforts, IED partners with public and private sector entities, in some cases providing funding support. Partners across EPA Regions include state and local governments, tribes, nonprofit public health organizations, and industry.

Address: P.O. Box 42419 Cincinnati, OH 45242-0419
Telephone: 1-800-490-9198
Fax: (301) 604-3408
Website: http://www.epa.gov/iedweb00/pubs/hpguide.html#faq6