Notice:  Due to the reorganization of air quality responsibilities in the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, JCED no longer receives funds to provide indoor air quality services at the county level.  However, we will continue to provide information on this website and update it periodically. Click here to learn more.
The Air Quality Program receives hundreds of calls on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), more than on any other subject. The reason JCED started this website initially was to address the deluge of IAQ questions. Many people are surprised to learn, however, that there are very few federal, state or local regulations regarding indoor air quality, whether it is in the home or the workplace. Although IAQ may not be regulated, we try to provide you with the information and guidance necessary on how to best proceed with indoor air problems.

Any type of building or home can have issues related to IAQ. New homes, offices, and schools are built to be tight and solid in order to conserve energy. This can lead to inadequate ventilation and less ventilation may lead to higher concentrations of indoor pollutants. Owners of existing buildings and homeowners are attempting to increase energy-saving and decrease heating and cooling costs by installing storm windows and insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and heating through natural resources. All buildings and homes need regular maintenance as they age. Paint and caulking deteriorate, pipes break, roofs leak, and so on, which can lead to problems with indoor air quality.

Indoor pollutants may cause discomfort and illness. People with lung problems, such as asthma or emphysema, are the most sensitive and may become affected before an otherwise healthy person would even notice there was a problem. At extreme levels, they can even be fatal. IAQ pollutants have many sources and may include combustion sources such as solvents, oil, gas, and tobacco products; building materials that contain asbestos; carpet, furnishings or structural elements on which mold and mildew have grown; products for cleaning, personal care, and hobbies; chemicals such as pesticides; gases such as radon; and heating and cooling systems.

The "Big Three" in IAQ: asbestos, radon, and mold.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used in the past for many building materials for the purpose of insulation and fire-retardation. Several asbestos products have been banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC). Today, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes and buildings. It can be found in pipe and furnace insulation, shingles, millboard, textured paints, and floor tiles. It can still be found in new products, such as wallboard or tile flooring that are made outside of the U.S. but imported here. The mere presence of asbestos in your home is not a serious problem. Asbestos in good condition is not hazardous. However, disturbing the asbestos through repair or remodeling activities could cause airborne asbestos to occur and create a health hazard. If you need to remove asbestos, find out how to do so safely.
More on Asbestos

Molds are a natural part of our environment. They reproduce by means of tiny spores which are invisible to the naked eye and float through the air continually. Mold may begin to grow indoors when the spores land on wet surfaces. There are many types of mold, and they all require moisture to grow. Some people are sensitive to mold and can suffer allergic symptoms when exposed. People who have serious mold allergies have more severe reactions and people with chronic lung illness may develop mold infections in their lungs. If you discover mold in your home, eliminate it as soon as possible and take steps to prevent its future growth.
More on Mold

Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can't see, smell or taste. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country. Every year, about 20,000 people die due to radon. The only way to find out if you have a radon problem in your home is to test for it. In Johnson County, extensive testing has shown that roughly 40% of the homes in the county will have elevated levels of radon.
More on Radon

More IAQ Information

City Code Compliance Officers
Health Symptoms Related to Indoor Air Quality
Frequently Asked Questions
IAQ Publications
IAQ Links