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Nov 03, 2024

EPA Updates Ventilation Guidance to Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Viruses at Home, School, and Work - Agenparl

(AGENPARL) – ven 01 novembre 2024 Issued: Nov 1, 2024 (11:00am EDT)If you wish to unsubscribe please do sohere:

(AGENPARL) – ven 01 novembre 2024 Issued: Nov 1, 2024 (11:00am EDT)If you wish to unsubscribe please do sohere: http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iqz6hAvLdUl-2FaSixKUG3iyFJBsxNAroAZOQ1BID8fKIiLAUfJX2sQlhu1tzKAOIu-2BU84uzAzSpWvmWyHnsNJDRYXWx5dlMz75Zp9ch-2BQlG6mQHPYjReZhS13hvd5qOopvnSz_-2B0Ok6Af7hyz7Kqg6CR74pYblAA1WjrUjKSJUAiv3NOub0DC4O7JPWGxIlQ7kBB-2FSipXNuP8Lyy0gi6TMG1B8tV2yLvXQO-2F3-2BCLrsfO8A-2Bp9KNoMFtXRUq2uN8Tnmty9SoXvoqjOnrSVw603PDmpGAwuzeBEmJx8FdIPK-2Bhwyfn7n99-2BDqnTFDNObcfa2sEWL4kQ3VWPuXXJnHxR3oAnL8d6ElM3FXPd6bY1Dcl5mfVRtHCnzXtKTMrUkKib3ESigEPA Updates Ventilation Guidance to Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Virusesat Home, School, and WorkWASHINGTON (November 1, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyhas released updated guidance on indoor air quality strategies for preventingthe spread of common respiratory viruses in homes, schools, offices, andcommercial buildings. EPA’s updated guidance reflects the latest science onindoor air quality strategies and recent ventilation recommendations from theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.“This updated guidance will be a valuable tool in protecting against thespread of common airborne respiratory viruses indoors, where we spend about90% of our time,” said Joseph Goffman, Assistant Administrator for EPA’sOffice of Air and Radiation. “In addition to immunizations, handwashing, andother key preventive measures, taking action to promote healthier indoor airhelps to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses indoors.”The updated guidance outlines how to implement ventilation strategies, such asopening doors and windows, as part of a multi-layered approach to prevent thespread of respiratory viruses indoors. The approach includes filtrationimprovements, such as upgrading the filter in a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning system; using a portable air cleaner; running fans to circulateair indoors; and operating exhaust, window, and attic fans to further reducethe amount of virus particles in the air. This multi-layered approach alsoaddresses the use of air treatment technologies, administrative controls, andcleaning and disinfection practices. The updated guidance also outlinesspecific strategies and considerations for public indoor spaces, such asschools, offices, and commercial buildings.View EPA’s updated guidance and learn more:Ventilation and Respiratory VirusesPreventing the Spread of Respiratory Viruses in Public Indoor SpacesBackgroundMost people are aware that outdoor air pollution can impact their health, butindoor air pollution can also have significant and harmful health effects.Indoor Air Quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings andstructures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of buildingoccupants. Indoor air quality affects everyone, especially the mostvulnerable, including children, the elderly, and people with health conditionslike asthma and heart disease.Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce yourrisk of indoor health concerns. Health effects from indoor air pollutants maybe experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later. Indoor pollutionsources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause ofindoor air quality problems. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoorpollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissionsfrom indoor sources and not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the area. Respiratory viruses can spread more easily indoors than outdoors since theviral concentration can build up indoors and people are closer to each other.Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses andthousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In addition tothe virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of airbornerespiratory viruses, including influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus(RSV), that can spread more easily indoors than outdoors.Ventilation and filtration are important components of a multilayered approachfor reducing the spread of respiratory viruses indoors. Increasing the amountof outdoor air coming indoors is one of the most important ways to reduce thelikelihood that viruses are spread. When it is challenging to enhance theventilation to a space, consider cleaning or treating the air to reduce virusparticles – through filters in your heating, ventilation and airconditioning system or using portable air cleaning devices. On their own,these individual IAQ strategies are not likely to be sufficient for preventingthe spread of respiratory viruses indoors, making it essential to implementeach of them in conjunction with other core preventive actions for respiratoryviruses recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iqz6hAvLdUl-2FaSixKUG3iyFJBsxNAroAZOQ1BID8fKKhIILjisBDEktm3-2BIos9X6LgckO4e9-2F0z6HnGIidC8KoWWBLuk5aDS6miGYbNO5XiirqVkM5J0XMGRA1cLdHMGQVCIonGMOTvruftfoN0-2F4g-3D-3DM1mg_-2B0Ok6Af7hyz7Kqg6CR74pYblAA1WjrUjKSJUAiv3NOub0DC4O7JPWGxIlQ7kBB-2FSipXNuP8Lyy0gi6TMG1B8tV2yLvXQO-2F3-2BCLrsfO8A-2Bp8-2F2dHaMykFvonnEDoDiEkkQ9LZJgkcEECvvmVvnatBcBCpREWaMJXDUmgIWvuIrOG2gdoXz0hoYqOijqUNwJ4hDBHkpDCCudXRjDqE6I19sLcctMDLJkz1XBlMhJr9fsOqFuRJNyAQYChwGX-2F59TIQ