A Breath of Fresh Air

Readout of the White House Summit on Improving Indoor Air Quality

Submitted by Ashley Creviston, Protect Ed

In addition to new, updated COVID-19 vaccines and lifesaving treatments, improving indoor air quality within the buildings we use every day is an essential part of the Biden Administration’s plan to manage COVID-19 this fall and winter. As people spend more time indoors this fall and winter, contagious viruses like COVID-19 can spread more easily. The Administration has called on business and school leaders to take key steps to improve indoor air quality in their buildings as a key way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

On October 11, the White House hosted a Summit on Improving Indoor Air Quality, bringing together public health and ventilation experts, private sector and education leaders, and other stakeholders to highlight the benefits of improved indoor air quality in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, showcase schools and businesses that are leading the way in making improvements, and underscore the importance of all building operators doing their part.

Administration officials also highlighted some additional steps we are taking to advance indoor air quality in buildings across the nation:

Encouraging businesses and organizations around the country in taking the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge: Earlier this year, the Administration launched the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge with a clear set of recommendations all building owners and operations can follow to improve indoor air quality. This Summit featured a discussion with private sector leaders representing Salesforce, Silverstein Properties, and Capital One Arena/Monumental Sports on the actions outlined within the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge they have taken to improve indoor air quality across their buildings. Additionally, the Administration launched a new website – WhiteHouse.Gov/CleanIndoorAir – where businesses and other organizations can learn more about the Challenge and pledge their commitment to improving indoor air quality in their buildings. In recognition of their commitments, those who sign up will receive a digital “badge” that they can use to share their pledge publicly with their employees, customers, and communities on social media, in their storefronts, and beyond.