Indoor Air Quality

New Hampshire Senate Rejects House Amendments To SB 298 Fragrance-Free State Buildings Bill

In May 2026, the New Hampshire legislature considered SB 298, a bill that would require fragrance-free cleaning and hygiene products and ban fragrance-dispensing devices in public areas of state buildings within one year of enactment, alongside administrative-law and recovery-residence provisions. If passed, state agencies and service providers operating in New Hampshire state buildings would need to overhaul janitorial supplies, restroom products and building policies toward fragrance-free operations, signalling a broader shift toward indoor air and accessibility-driven fragrance controls in public facilities.

24 May 2026, 21:39gc.nh.govUnited States

Poland Chief Sanitary Inspector Highlights Expert Recommendations on Indoor Air Quality in Schools

Poland’s Chief Sanitary Inspector has publicly highlighted new expert recommendations on improving indoor air quality in newly built schools, following the conclusion of a GIS-led expert group’s work in May 2026. While not yet binding, these recommendations signal likely future expectations for school design and ventilation, so education authorities, designers, and facility managers should monitor for forthcoming standards or regulatory measures.

22 May 2026, 18:54gov.plPoland

Rhode Island Senate S2885: Consideration Scheduled For Asbestos Abatement And Radon Control Bill

Rhode Island’s Senate bill S2885, which would update asbestos abatement and radon control provisions, has been scheduled for Senate Health and Human Services Committee consideration on 21 May 2026. This keeps the proposal active, and building owners, employers, and remediation contractors in Rhode Island should track the hearing and prepare for possible changes to how asbestos and radon risks must be managed.

22 May 2026, 16:48webserver.rilegislature.govUnited States

UNECE Publishes Revision 1 of Mutual Resolution No. 3 on Vehicle Interior Air Quality

UNECE’s vehicle regulations forum has published Revision 1 of its global Mutual Resolution No. 3 on vehicle interior air quality under the 1958 and 1998 agreements, consolidating updated technical guidance and test procedures in document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1143/REV.1. While non-binding, this revised standard will shape how regulators and OEMs approach interior materials, emissions testing and future VIAQ rules worldwide, so automotive compliance teams should track its content as a forward indicator of emerging requirements.

21 May 2026, 08:57docs.un.orgGlobal

New Jersey Assembly Proposes Small Business Indoor Air Quality Management Support Program (A5113)

New Jersey has introduced Assembly Bill A5113 to create a state loan and certification programme helping small businesses finance and manage indoor air quality improvements. If enacted, this would add an optional but structured compliance pathway around indoor air quality inspections, contractor qualifications, and EDA-administered financing that small New Jersey businesses may need to factor into facilities upgrade planning.

20 May 2026, 19:57pub.njleg.govUnited States

California Environmental Protection Agency Announces Vapor Intrusion Data Workshop 5 in 2026 Public Series

CalEPA’s Vapor Intrusion Workgroup has scheduled a virtual “Vapor Intrusion Data” workshop on 17 June 2026 as the fifth session in its 2026 public series on managing vapor intrusion at contaminated sites. This regulator-led event will shape how vapor intrusion data are collected, analysed, and submitted in California systems, signalling future expectations for site investigation, risk assessment, and cleanup practice in the state.

20 May 2026, 19:24waterboards.ca.govUnited States

Vermont Senate Finance Committee Backs H.542 to End Statewide School PCB Testing

On 19 May 2026, the Vermont Senate Finance Committee advanced House Bill H.542, which would end the State’s broad PCB indoor air testing programme in pre-1980 schools and instead focus resources on remediation of buildings that already tested above action levels. If enacted, this would shift Vermont school and state-agency risk management from screening to cleanup, clarify who pays for PCB remediation, and lock in 2027 planning and reporting milestones that facilities, finance, and environmental teams will need to build into capital and compliance plans.

19 May 2026, 15:28legislature.vermont.govUnited States

New Hampshire House Passes Amended SB 298 on Scented Products in State Buildings and Recovery Residences

In May 2026 the New Hampshire House passed an amended SB 298 that would prohibit scented products in public areas of state buildings and establish a mandatory certification regime for recovery residences, following earlier Senate approval in January 2026. If enacted, this will tighten health, safety and fire-safety expectations for recovery housing operators and push state-building procurement and use towards fragrance-free products, without creating broader market-wide substance bans.

15 May 2026, 15:38gc.nh.govUnited States

Ohio HB 820: School Radon Testing Requirements and Radon Mitigation Tax Credits

Ohio House Bill 820, now before the House Health Committee, would mandate radon testing in school facilities and create state income and commercial activity tax credits to support residential and commercial radon mitigation. If enacted, this would introduce new indoor air quality obligations for Ohio school operators and financial incentives that could expand demand for radon testing and mitigation services in the state.

15 May 2026, 13:27search-prod.lis.state.oh.usUnited States

Ohio House Refers Healthy Homes Program Act (HB 841) to Health Committee

In May 2026, the Ohio House referred HB 841, the Healthy Homes Program Act, to the Health Committee, advancing a bill to create a statewide information and awareness programme on mould, lead, radon and carbon monoxide. If adopted, the measure would mainly expand duties for the Ohio Department of Health but signals growing state attention to indoor environmental hazards that could influence expectations and demand around testing, mitigation and detection products.

15 May 2026, 13:27legislature.ohio.govUnited States

HSE Authorises Crown Censure of HMPPS Following Radon Exposure at HMP Dartmoor

Britain’s Health and Safety Executive has authorised a Crown Censure against His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service after finding that prisoners and staff at HMP Dartmoor were exposed to radon levels significantly above legal limits over an extended period. This high-profile enforcement action highlights heightened regulatory scrutiny of radon risk management in radon-prone workplaces, signalling that public-sector estates and other employers must robustly assess, monitor and control radon in line with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.

15 May 2026, 09:00press.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Iowa Enacts HF 2297 Requiring Passive Radon Mitigation in New Homes

Iowa has enacted House File 2297 to require the state building code to mandate passive radon mitigation systems for all new single- and two-family homes, with the law taking effect on 1 July 2026. This will force residential builders and suppliers in Iowa to integrate radon-resistant design aligned with the 2021 International Residential Code into new projects, raising expectations on indoor air quality and radon risk management.

9 May 2026, 18:52legis.iowa.govUnited States

New Hampshire Senate Tables HB 1544 Scented Products Ban in State Buildings

In May 2026 the New Hampshire Senate tabled HB 1544, a bill that would require fragrance-free cleaning and personal-care products and ban fragrance-dispensing devices in public areas of state-owned or operated buildings. This pause in the bill’s progress removes any immediate compliance obligations but signals rising occupational health and indoor air-quality scrutiny of fragranced products used in government facilities and potentially by contracted service providers.

9 May 2026, 14:09gc.nh.govUnited States

South Korea Re-Notifies Draft Enforcement Rules for the Indoor Air Quality Management Act

South Korea’s environment ministry has re-notified draft Enforcement Rules for the Indoor Air Quality Management Act, combining a new “excellent facility” designation with updated training, testing and measurement requirements for multi-use facilities, with consultation open until mid-June 2026. This could tighten expectations on how buildings monitor and document indoor air quality, while offering recognition incentives, so operators and service providers should assess compliance gaps and opportunities ahead of finalisation.

9 May 2026, 07:09opinion.lawmaking.go.krSouth Korea

South Korea Promulgates Amendments to Multiple Environmental and Chemical Laws (April–May 2026)

South Korea has promulgated a package of partial amendments to multiple environmental and chemical laws, including K‑REACH, greenhouse‑gas emissions trading, waste and recycling, indoor air quality, environmental liability, light pollution and water resources, based on laws promulgated between 7 April and 6 May 2026. These framework changes signal closer regulatory attention to chemical management and environmental performance, and companies operating in Korea should review the amended texts to understand any new registration, permitting, monitoring or liability obligations ahead of staggered entry‑into‑force dates through October 2026 and April 2027.

8 May 2026, 07:28law.go.krSouth Korea

New Jersey Bills A4952 and S3275 Propose Registration for Mold Inspection and Remediation Contractors

New Jersey is advancing Assembly Bill A4952 and identical Senate Bill S3275 to bring mold inspection and remediation contractors under a formal state registration regime with explicit insurance and role-separation requirements. If enacted, contractors performing mold work in New Jersey would need to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs, maintain at least $500,000 in liability coverage, separate inspection from remediation, and prepare for detailed implementing rules and civil penalties.

7 May 2026, 19:44njleg.state.nj.usUnited States

Ohio House Introduces Healthy Homes Program Act on Mold, Lead, Radon, and Carbon Monoxide

On 30 April 2026, Ohio lawmakers introduced the Healthy Homes Program Act (HB 841), which would add a new section 3701.68 to the state public health code and require the Director of Health to establish an information and awareness programme on household hazards from mold, lead, radon and carbon monoxide. This early-stage proposal primarily affects the Ohio Department of Health for now, but signals increased focus on indoor environmental exposures in housing that compliance and EHS teams may wish to monitor for potential downstream impacts on landlords, builders and home-related products.

5 May 2026, 14:45legislature.ohio.govUnited States

Iowa Senate Amendment H-8431 to HF 2297 Clarifies Statewide Radon Mitigation Requirements for New Homes

In 2026, the Iowa Senate filed Amendment H-8431 to HF 2297 to clarify that new state building code radon mitigation requirements apply to all new single-family and two-family residential construction statewide. If enacted, this would make passive radon mitigation systems a standard feature in new Iowa homes, increasing design and compliance obligations for homebuilders, architects, and suppliers of radon mitigation components.

4 May 2026, 18:26legis.iowa.govUnited States

EU REACH Formaldehyde Emission Limits for Articles and Road Vehicles Apply From August 2026

The EU has adopted a REACH Annex XVII restriction that sets binding formaldehyde emission limits for most articles from August 2026 and for road vehicles from August 2027. Manufacturers and importers of wood-based panels, furniture, other consumer goods and vehicles must verify emissions using prescribed test methods, redesign materials where needed, and clear non-compliant stock ahead of these cut-off dates to avoid market access and compliance risks.

3 May 2026, 07:24eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Outlines Subsidised Expert Scheme For Moisture And Mould In Rental Housing

In April 2026 the Dutch housing minister set out a national programme to tackle moisture and mould in rental housing, including a subsidised scheme for independent expert investigations between 2027 and 2029. This signals tighter scrutiny of damp and mould issues, greater use of independent reports and Huurcommissie remedies, and a need for landlords and municipalities to embed concrete moisture and mould controls into their local housing strategies.

1 May 2026, 18:17zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands