Clean Air Act Section 103: Indoor Air Quality Program
Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 103
The Sac and Fox Nation Office of Environmental Services (SFOES) is currently administering a project to research and assess the condition of Indoor Air Quality in the Nation’s governmental buildings and tribal homes. This program allows investigators to assess sites, gather information, and educate the home owner on indoor air pollutants.
Background
This grant proposal/application was successful and has received 100% of its funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region VI Office. The project duration is 10/1/2014-9/30/2016. The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) project includes assessments on the condition of indoor air quality in the Nation’s tribal buildings, tribal homes, within the Sac and Fox Nation Jurisdictional boundaries.
Description
This grant allows for assessments to be conducted by investigators, primarily based on observations concerning types of pollutants, pollutant sources, water and moisture issues, ventilation, and temperature and humidity issues. The investigator will educate the home owner on the issues observed and how it can affect both, indoor air quality and health. Outreach and educational material regarding indoor air pollutants and its health effects are provided to the home occupants after an assessment. Another component of the project is to provide community outreach and education opportunities during events such as the Nation’s Annual Health Fair and IAQ workshops. One of the goals is to increase each member’s knowledge of healthy indoor air.
Project Area
The geographic area that will be covered by the Indoor Air Quality Assessment will be within the Sac and Fox Nation Jurisdictional Boundary. This boundary includes Lincoln County, and parts of Payne and Pottawatomie Counties. There are approximately 19 buildings on the tribal complex land within the jurisdiction and several housing communities and rural tribal homes, throughout the nation. Prague, Meeker, Stroud, Cushing, and Shawnee are some of the communities in the area, along with many rural tribal members and Sac and Fox Tribal buildings.
Conclusion
The purpose of this grant is to educate tribal members and the Nation’s employees on the different types of indoor pollutants and the related health effects. Many tribal members may not be aware of the effects that household chemicals, pet dander, personal hygiene, insects and home construction may have on the quality of air that circulates throughout the home. The Office of Environmental Services would like to conduct walkthroughs with homeowners and educate them on any observations that have been noted. This will provide the homeowner with basic information to adapt healthy home practices and the benefits of healthy indoor air, which can lead to a conscience decision that can be made to reduce or eliminate the health risk to themselves and their loved ones.
It is the goal of the Office of Environmental Services to protect public health and the environment.
Links
- Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities
- Mold and Your Home
- Moisture Control: A Key Factor for a Healthy Indoor Environment
- Biological Pollutants’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality
- Improving Indoor Air Quality
Phillip Mee began working for the Sac and Fax Nation Office of Environmental Services March of 2015. Phillip earned both an Associates of Arts Degree and a Bachelors of Science Degree from St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, OK. Phillip continues his education for indoor air quality and the environment by attending, trainings, webinars, seminars, and environmental meetings, to improve on his knowledge of IAQ and the environment and to educate the Nation’s tribal members and employees.