H.R. 5123: Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025, aims to enhance indoor air quality in various settings, particularly in schools and childcare facilities, to protect human health. Here are the key components and actions proposed in the bill:

Indoor Air Quality Program

The bill mandates the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a program focused on:

• Assessing and reducing exposure to indoor air contaminants.
• Conducting research and development on indoor air quality.
• Listing indoor contaminants of concern and providing guidelines for their management.
• Training and assisting stakeholders in identifying and mitigating indoor air issues.
• Supporting improvements in indoor air quality in schools and childcare facilities.

Guidelines for Indoor Contaminants

The EPA is tasked with establishing a list of indoor contaminants of concern, which will include common pollutants like particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, formaldehyde, and radon. The Administrator will also publish voluntary guidelines for managing these contaminants based on scientific research.

Indoor Air Quality Index

The bill directs the EPA to collaborate with the National Academy of Sciences to study and potentially establish an indoor air quality index that communicates health risks associated with indoor air quality to the public.

Indoor Air Quality Assistance

Financial and technical assistance will be provided to local and state governments, childcare facilities, and nonprofit organizations to develop programs for assessing and improving indoor air quality. The federal government can cover up to 75% of costs for these activities.

Healthy Building Certifications

The bill establishes a voluntary certification program for buildings that effectively manage indoor air contaminants. To achieve certification, buildings must comply with EPA guidelines and maintain indoor air quality management plans.

Model Provisions for Building Design

The Administrator is required to recommend model provisions for building codes that address ventilation, filtration, and other practices to ensure acceptable indoor air quality, and these should be consistent with energy codes to avoid conflicts.

Healthy Schools Assessment

A national assessment of indoor air quality in schools and childcare facilities will be conducted to evaluate their compliance with established guidelines and best practices. An advisory group including various stakeholders will guide this assessment.

Funding

The bill authorizes significant funding, with $100 million each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030, to support the various initiatives under this Act.

Relation to Other Laws

The bill makes it clear that it will not override any state or local laws, including those related to occupational safety and health.

Review and Revision

Regular reviews and updates of the guidelines and lists of contaminants will be conducted to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

Consideration of Disadvantaged Communities

The program aims to consider the needs of disadvantaged communities, offering access to financial and technical assistance regardless of socioeconomic factors.

Relevant Companies

• AAPL - Apple Inc.: With smart building technologies and home products, Apple might have to consider how this bill’s guidelines could affect their product offerings or building designs.
• OSK - Oshkosh Corporation: Involved in manufacturing vehicles for military, fire, and emergency, they may need to comply with new standards for the vehicles meant for public use which could be impacted by air quality regulations.
• FB - Meta Platforms Inc.: As a tech company with significant real estate footprint, Meta could be impacted by new regulations affecting workplace environments.