National Institute of Building Sciences
Presentations on the IEQ Indoor Environmental Quality Report
for the U.S. Access Board

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) prepared for the U.S. Access Board an IEQ report on the factors that limit access to buildings for individuals with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) and/or Electromagnetic Sensitivities (EMS). The full report is available at http://ieq.nibs.org. A representative group
of professionals, including architects, engineers, product suppliers and manufacturers, healthcare specialists, and consumer representatives reported on current conditions and recommended ways to reduce the use of materials that limit or prohibit access for sensitive individuals. The report addresses (1) Operations & Maintenance, (2) Design of “Cleaner Air Rooms,” (3) Design & Construction, and (4) Building Products & Materials.

NIBS’ staff and representatives of individuals with MCS and EMS will conduct three presentations in Washington, DC. The presentation will broadly cover the entire report, with a focus on building design, construction, products, and materials. The presentation will disseminate information from the report and
encourage stakeholders to participate in a workshop to develop voluntary guidelines scheduled for this fall at a venue in Washington, DC.

Stakeholders invited to attend the presentations and workshop include:
American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), American Lung Association, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries-International (AWCI), Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA), Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), EPA, GSA, HUD, Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Education Association (NEA), National Safety Council (NSC), NIH, NIST, United States Green Building Council (USGBC), VA, and other interested agencies and organizations.