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Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Healthy Indoor

Environment Protocols 

for Home Energy 

upgrades
Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for

Home Energy upgrades

This document is available for public review and comment until December 9, 2010.

Purpose:

The Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades are intended to enhance the ability of other 

federal agencies, industry standard organizations, state and local programs, and the home energy retrofit industry to better 

integrate health protections into home energy upgrade programs. The protocols apply to single family and multifamily low-rise 

residential dwellings, and are intended for voluntary adoption by weatherization assistance programs, federally funded housing 

programs, private sector home performance contracting organizations, and others working on residential retrofit or remodeling 

efforts.

This document DOES NOT:

• Set new EPA regulatory standards.

• Provide guidance for diagnosing occupant health problems or building-related illness.

• Replace the need for training or training documents.

• Provide detailed guidance on how to achieve the intent of each recommendation in all situations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing these voluntary protocols in conjunction with the U.S. 

Department of Energy (DOE) Workforce Guidelines for Home Energy Upgrades, and coordinated with the White House 

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Recovery Through Retrofit initiative. Together, these complementary documents 

will: provide a robust and practical set of resources for retrofit contractors, trainers, and program administrators; help improve 

the quality of the work performed in this expanding industry; promote occupant health and safety; and drive consumer 

demand for energy efficiency retrofit services. 

For more information:

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/retrofits.html

http://www.weatherization.energy.gov/retrofit_guidelines

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/Recovery_Through_Retrofit_Final_Report.pdf

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Table of Contents

Why EPA Developed These Protocols............................................................................................................... i

How The Protocols Are Organized .................................................................................................................. i

CONTAMINANT SOURCES OF CONCERN .................................................................................................. 1

ASBESTOS ....................................................................................................................................................... 1

ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE (ETS)......................................................................................................... 2

GARAGE AIR POLLUTANTS................................................................................................................................ 2

LEAD................................................................................................................................................................ 3

MOISTURE (MOLD AND OTHER BIOLOGICALS) .................................................................................................. 3

OZONE ............................................................................................................................................................. 6

PESTS.............................................................................................................................................................. 6

RADON............................................................................................................................................................. 7

OTHER BELOWGROUND CONTAMINANT SOURCES ............................................................................................ 9

EMERGING ISSUES .............................................................................................................................. 10

PCBs, DRYWALL & SPRAY POLYURETHANE FOAM ............................................................................................ 10

CRITICAL BUILDING SYSTEMS FOR OCCUPANT HEALTH........................................................................ 10

Combustion Safety (CO, VOCs & Particulates)........................................................................................ 10

Vented Appliances ..................................................................................................................................... 10

Unvented Appliances ................................................................................................................................. 11

Exhaust Ventilation for Localized Contaminant Sources.................................................................. 12

Whole House Ventilation for Distributed Contaminant Sources ..................................................... 12

SAFETY ................................................................................................................................................ 13

Home Safety................................................................................................................................................ 13

Occupant and Worker Safety .................................................................................................................. 13

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i

Why EPA Developed These Protocols:

Millions of American homes will be retrofitted in the coming years to improve energy efficiency or make them more 

“green.” Integrated healthy home and energy efficiency retrofit activities can lower utility costs for Americans and improve 

indoor air quality at the same time. Leading weatherization assistance and energy efficiency retrofit programs have 

demonstrated the feasibility of integrating many occupant health and safety improvements into their work. However, 

there is also the potential for home energy retrofit activities to negatively impact indoor air quality and public health – if 

the appropriate home assessment is not made before work begins and issues that may impact indoor air quality are not 

appropriately addressed. These protocols provide guidance for conducting such home assessments and also provide the 

specific responses necessary to maintain or improve health and safety in conjunction with energy efficiency retrofits or other 

remodeling activities.

The protocols are intended to enhance the ability of other federal agencies, industry standard organizations, state and 

local programs, and the home energy retrofit industry (i.e., home weatherization, energy efficiency retrofit and housing 

rehabilitation professionals) to better integrate health protections into energy focused programs. The protocols apply to single 

family and multifamily low-rise residential dwellings. Together with better resources for workers and programs, the protocols 

will improve the quality of home weatherizations and other energy efficiency retrofit or remodeling jobs, and reduce failures 

and call-backs.

How The Protocols Are Organized:

The document is organized to highlight priority health concerns that may relate to home energy efficiency retrofits. Priority 

Issues are identified based on whether they are known to pose significant health risks to occupants or workers and whether they 

can be affected by energy efficiency retrofit activities. For each Priority Issue identified in Column 1, the matrix identifies the 

following:

1. Assessment Protocols in Column 2 provide EPA-recommended assessment protocols for evaluating both existing 

conditions of concern and the potential for additional health concerns that may arise as a result of retrofit activities.

2. Minimum Actions in Column 3 include actions that weatherization and home energy retrofit contractors should take to 

ensure that the work they perform in a home does not introduce new health concerns or make existing conditions worse. 

These often reference existing standards. 

3. Expanded Actions in Column 4 include recommended indoor environment improvements that can be made during 

many home energy retrofit projects. The expanded actions are usually low- or no-cost, simple improvements that can be 

performed by home energy retrofit workers with proper training and sufficient resources. 

EPA anticipates the need for supplemental assessment tools such as worksheets and checklists, to help assessors and contractors 

manage critical job information. Therefore, EPA plans to develop sample assessment tools to accompany these protocols, such 

as the following sample tool concepts (not included in this draft):

• Sample Mold and Moisture Assessment Form

• Sample Radon Testing and Assessment Form

• Sample Home Ventilation Worksheet

For more information, please see http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/retrofits.html.

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PRIORITY ISSUES ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL

HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Assessment measures to help weatherization and 

home energy retrofit contractors identify serious 

threats to occupant health commonly found inside 

homes. This is not a guide for diagnosing occupant 

health problems or building-related illness.

Critical steps to ensure work does not increase 

known health risks to occupants or workers 

(i.e., “Do No Harm”). EPA recommends these 

protections for ALL retrofit projects. 

Simple, mostly inexpensive additional actions 

to promote occupant health that are feasible 

for most energy efficiency retrofit projects. EPA 

recommends consideration of these improvements 

when feasible.

CONTAMINANT SOURCES OF CONCERN

Determine potential asbestos hazard. Consider the 

age of housing, especially homes built after 1930 

and before the 1970s, which may have asbestos 

as insulation. Asbestos may be present in other 

building materials in homes built or renovated 

prior to the 1990s. If unsure whether material 

contains asbestos, contact a qualified asbestos 

professional to assess the material and sample and 

test as needed. Possible asbestos containing areas 

include: 

• Attic insulation (especially vermiculite)

• Wall insulation (e.g., vermiculite, insulation 

blocks, etc.) 

• Insulation on steam pipes, boilers and furnace 

ducts

• Vinyl flooring (including 9 x 9 inch or 12 x 

12 inch floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring and 

the mastics and adhesives used to secure the 

flooring)

• Cement sheet, millboard and paper used as 

insulation around furnaces and wood burning 

stoves

• Door gaskets in furnaces, wood stoves and coal 

stoves (seals may contain asbestos)

• Soundproofing or decorative surface materials 

sprayed on walls or ceilings

• Patching and joint compounds and textured 

paints on walls and ceilings

• Roofing, shingles and siding (including asbestos 

in cement or adhesives)

• Artificial ashes and embers (used in gas-fired 

fireplaces)

Assessment Guidance: 

N/A

• If suspected asbestos-containing material (ACM) 

is in good condition, do not disturb. If suspected 

ACM is damaged (e.g., unraveling, frayed, 

breaking apart, etc.), immediately isolate the area 

and do not disturb. Contact a professional for 

abatement or repair. 

• If unsure whether material contains asbestos, 

contact a qualified asbestos professional to assess 

the material and sample and test as needed. 

• Keep activities to a minimum in any areas having 

damaged material that may contain asbestos. 

• When working around ACM, do not:

 Dust, sweep or vacuum debris. 

 Saw, sand, scrape or drill holes in the material.

 Use abrasive pads or brushes to strip materials. 

• Do not remove or disturb the attic insulation that 

looks like vermiculite (as opposed to fiberglass, 

cellulose or urethane foams). 

Note:

In addition to the continued safety of the occupants, 

appropriate identification of ACM is vital to the 

safety of workers, who may not be cognizant of 

asbestos hazards.

Note:

“Blower doors” (which are powerful fans used 

to detect leaks by lowering pressure inside) can 

potentially disturb asbestos in homes, thereby 

potentially establishing or increasing a hazard.

Relevant Guidance: 

EPA Guidance on “Asbestos in Your Home”

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/

• If ACM is damaged, it may be abated by repair 

or removal by a trained professional. Typically, 

asbestos can be repaired by either: 

 Sealing or Encapsulation: Treat the material 

with a sealant that either binds the asbestos 

fibers together or coats the material so fibers 

are not released. Pipe, furnace and boiler 

insulation can be repaired this way.

 Covering or Enclosure: Place a protective 

layer over or around the ACM to prevent 

release of fibers. Exposed insulated piping 

may be covered with a protective wrap or 

jacket. 

• If there is a significant advantage to removing 

asbestos (and it can be done safely), it should 

be completed only by a professional trained to 

handle asbestos safely.

Relevant Guidance: 

EPA Guidance on “Asbestos in Your Home”

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/

Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy upgrades

ASBESTOSD R A F T
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PRIORITY ISSUES ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL

HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Determine if there is a smoke-free building policy 

(multi-family buildings only). 2

Assessment Guidance: 

N/A

Occupant Education:

Provide information on local smoking cessation, 

if appropriate. Also provide general information 

about tightening homes and the goals of 

minimizing pollutants and chemicals in homes. 

In multi-family buildings, recommend adoption 

of smoke-free housing policy. 

Relevant Guidance:

EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification 

5.4

http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/construction_

specifications.html

If there is an attached or tuck-under garage, 

identify the location of air leaks from the garage 

to occupied spaces, which may provide pathways 

for hazardous emissions to enter occupied spaces. 

For example, look for leaks around walls, doors, 

ceilings, duct work, air conditioners, furnaces, and 

electrical and pipe penetrations.

Assessment Guidance: 

EPA Draft Model Healthy Indoor Environment 

Assessment Questionnaire (under development) 

• Air seal walls/ceilings separating living spaces. At 

a minimum, air seal these locations (if present):

 Doors (ensure tight closure and install 

weather-stripping)

 Electrical, plumbing and duct penetrations. 

 Cracks between mud sill, rim joists, subfloors 

and/or bottom of gypsum board

 Duct work, supply diffusers, return grilles and 

air handlers in the garage

 Test-in and test-out using advanced blower 

door techniques

• Specify carbon monoxide (CO) monitors/

alarms in homes with attached garages, at least 

one per floor level 

Relevant Standard:

BPI Home Energy Auditing Standard 7.10 and 

8.1.3

NFPA 720 OR Consumer Product Safety 

Commission Carbon Monoxide Questions and 

Answers: CPSC Document #466; Blasnik and 

Fitzgerald advanced blower door methods 

 

• If occupants spend significant time in the 

garage (e.g., workshops, playrooms, hobbies, 

etc.), install exhaust fan(s) rated for continuous 

operation and vented outdoors in attached 

garages in accordance with Section 5.6 of EPA 

Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications.

• Educate occupants about safe storage of 

chemicals (e.g., oil, gasoline, pool cleaners, 

fertilizers, etc.) that may be stored in garages. 

Relevant Guidance:

EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification 

5.6

http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/construction_

specifications.html

ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE (ETS) 

GARAGE AIR POLLUTANTS D R A F T
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PRIORITY ISSUES ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL

HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Assume lead-based paint exists in pre-1978 homes 

unless testing confirms otherwise. Determine if 

paint will be disturbed by the work. 

Assessment Code/Standard: 

EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) 

Program Rule (40 CFR Part 745) 

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm 

HUD Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention in 

Certain Residential Structures, Subparts J and R 

(24 CFR 35.900; 24 CFR 35.1340 & 35.1350)

• Comply with EPA’s RRP Rule.3

 Key elements 

include:

 Follow lead-safe work practices if disturbing 

greater than 6 feet2 interior or 20 feet2 of 

exterior painted surfaces.

 Contain the work area to avoid resident 

exposure. 

 Minimize lead dust and leave work area clean.

 Achieve visual post-cleaning criteria. 

 Use a Certified Renovator.4

Relevant Code/Standard: 

EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP)

Program Rule (40 CFR Part 745) & Proposed 

Rulemaking (FR Vol.75, No.87, May 6, 2010, 

pp.25038-25073)

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm 

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-

10102.pdf

Occupant Education: 

EPA Renovate Right pamphlet 

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/

renovaterightbrochure.pdf

• Follow the U.S. Department of Housing 

and Urban Development (HUD) lead-safe 

rehabilitation practices (required for HUD 

projects that use up to $5,000 of federal 

assistance5

). In addition to EPA’s RRP, this rule:

 Lowers the thresholds from 6 feet2 interior to 

2 feet2 in any room.

 Requires repair of paint that is disturbed 

using lead-safe work practices. 

 Requires meeting dust clearance testing 

standards if greater than 2 feet2 of paint is 

disturbed.6

Relevant Code/Standard: 

24 CFR Part 35, Subpart J: Rehabilitation, and 

relevant elements of Subpart R: Methods and 

Standards for Lead-Paint Hazard Evaluation and 

Hazard Reduction Activities (e.g., 24 CFR 35. 

1340; 24 CFR 35.1350)

Determine if there are signs of water damage, wet 

spots, condensation or mold. Determine if there 

is evidence of past water damage (e.g., rot, stains, 

etc.) in interior occupied spaces, attics, basements/

crawl spaces or exteriors. Note the location, 

moisture source, recommended repair or past 

effective repair. Measure interior relative humidity 

to determine if large sources of interior humidity 

exist. 

Determine if the air conditioning (AC) unit or 

central system components are the likely cause of 

any liquid water sources or high indoor relative 

humidity (e.g., incorrectly installed condensate 

pan, broken or improperly insulated or dripping 

condensate lines, low air flow, low refrigerant 

levels, clogged coil, leaky or uninsulated ducts).

• If moisture issues can be solved (see 

Expanded Actions column to the right), then 

weatherization and energy retrofit activities 

proceed in conjunction with moisture control 

interventions.

• If moisture issues cannot be solved:

 If moisture issue will likely lead to or 

aggravate high indoor humidity problems, do 

not air seal, replace atmospherically-vented 

combustion equipment with high efficiency 

units or otherwise lower air infiltration rate.8

This includes homes that have significant 

condensation/humidity problems, such 

as condensation on multiple windows, 

condensation in attics or significant moisture/

mold beyond the scope of remedies in the 

Expanded Actions column.

Wet Attics:

• Repair minor roof leaks prior to attic insulation 

or air sealing.

• Provide adequate attic insulation.

• Prevent roof underlayment (roof decking) 

condensation or ice dam problems by 

meticulously air sealing the ceiling (between 

the living area and the attic). Address indoor 

humidity sources causing attic condensation (see 

remedies below). 

• Air seal and insulate all attic ductwork if it 

is beyond the scope of the weatherization to 

extend the thermal envelope.

LEAD

MOISTURE7 (MOLD AND OTHER BIOLOGICALS) D R A F T

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PRIORITY ISSUES ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL

HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Assessment Guidance: 

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) 

Quality Installation (QI) Specification

http://www.acca.org/quality/

Also see: Sample Mold and Moisture Assessment 

Form (under development)

 If there are plumbing leaks or rainwater 

leaks in wall cavities, attics or ceiling 

cavities beyond the scope of remedies in the 

Expanded Actions column, do not insulate 

these areas until the leaks are fixed.

Relevant Guidance:

N/A

Exterior Water: 

• Prior to insulating basement or crawl space walls 

near wet areas, address surface water pooling 

near the foundation by:

 Repairing, modifying or replacing gutters and 

down spouts.

 Grading and subsurface drainage at critical 

locations (e.g., localized drain and grading 

beneath valleys) per EPA Indoor airPLUS 

Construction Specification Section 1.1.

• Ensure energy efficient replacement windows 

and doors are installed with proper flashing 

details to ensure drainage to the exterior. See 

EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification 

Section 1.6. 

Wall Assemblies:

• Use caution when increasing insulation levels 

of wall assemblies, especially increasing cavity 

insulation, which can lead to moisture and 

condensation problems. Consider installing any 

new insulation over the exterior of sheathing, 

if possible, with exterior wall cladding/siding 

installed over the new insulation. Consider 

back-ventilating and back-draining behind 

the wall cladding/siding (Note: these are more 

expensive options).

Interior Humidity or Condensation:

• Cover exposed earth in basement or crawlspaces 

with a vapor barrier material (e.g., 6-mil 

polyethylene sheeting), taped at all seams and 

edges per EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction 

Specification Section 1.2.

• Depending on the Climate Zone, provide 

dehumidification to address high humidity and 

condensation problems (e.g., adding whole 

house ventilation to meet ASHRAE Standard 

62.2-2010 (see Section 4, Whole Building 

Ventilation), improving dehumidification 

performance of the home’s air conditioning 

system, or adding an ENERGY STAR qualified 

dehumidifier to the basement, crawlspace or air 

D R A F T

conditioning system).

MOISTURE (MOLD AND OTHER BIOLOGICALS) (continued)

(Continued on next page)
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PRIORITY ISSUES ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL

HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

• Prevent condensation on cold surfaces by 

adding vapor barriers and insulation between 

cold surfaces and warm-humid air, with vapor 

barriers installed on the warm side of the 

insulation. 

• Install new ENERGY STAR qualified bath fans, 

or repair existing bath fans, vented outdoors 

per ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, to address 

bathroom moisture/humidity issues (see Section 

5, local exhaust). 

• Recalculate the home’s heating and cooling 

design loads after expected weatherization 

modifications, and compare with ratings of 

existing equipment. Ensure the capacity of any 

new heating and cooling equipment matches 

the expected design loads after weatherization, 

including the latent capacity of cooling and 

dehumidification equipment. Oversized cooling 

equipment will have significantly reduced 

moisture removal/dehumidification capabilities, 

and oversized heating and cooling equipment 

may be prone to short cycling and premature 

equipment failure. Notify homeowners/clients 

of any existing equipment that may be oversized 

after weatherization modifications.

Simple AC System Tune-up and Repairs:

• In homes with AC systems, find the cause of 

condensation or poor AC performance and 

repair:

• Insulate condensate lines.

• If appropriate, reinstall window AC units to 

ensure condensate drips to the exterior and 

not on or into the wall.

• Find and repair cause of condensation on 

supply grilles.

• Replace dirty filter and clean evaporator coil. 

• Adjust slope of condensate pan to drain 

correctly.

• Seal duct leaks.

• Investigate and repair other performance 

problems (i.e., low supply or return air flow, 

low refrigerant charge), if feasible.

D R A F T

MOISTURE (MOLD AND OTHER BIOLOGICALS) (continued)

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PRIORITY ISSUES ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL

HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Relevant Guidance:

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) 

Quality Installation (QI) Specification

http://www.acca.org/quality/

ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, “Ventilation 

and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings,” including Normative 

Appendix A – Existing Buildings 

EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications 

1.1, 1.2 and 1.6.

http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/construction_

specifications.html

Determine if there is any air-cleaning equipment 

designed to produce ozone (i.e., ozone generators) 

in the house.

Assessment Guidance: 

California Air Resources Board (CARB) resources 

on ozone producing air cleaners. 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/ozone.htm

• Recommend removal of air-cleaning equipment 

designed to produce ozone (i.e., ozone 

generators).

Relevant Guidance: 

EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification 

4.7

http://epa.gov/indoorairplus/construction_

specifications.html

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

This cell is intentionally blank.

Identify evidence of mice, squirrels and other 

rodents; termites as indicator of moisture 

problems; birds; bats; or other pest infestations. 

Note the location. Identify if pesticides and/or 

rodenticides are used. 

Assessment Guidance: 

Alliance for Healthy Homes, Community 

Environmental Health Resource Center Protocols

http://www.afhh.org/res/res_cehrc.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/rodents

• If there is indication of current or past 

infestation, educate the clients about Integrated 

Pest Management (IPM) through pamphlets or 

other appropriate guidance. 

• Advise owner/resident to regularly clean/fix 

screens (e.g., when replacing HVAC filters), 

remove clutter, eliminate wood piles near house, 

and remove any bushes, trees or other vegetation 

closer than 2 feet away from structure.

• Alert owner of any termite infestations and 

inform of the need to seek assistance from 

an IPM Greenpro or Greenshield certified 

professional.

• Patch exterior holes 1/4-inch x 3/8-inch or 

larger using pest resistant materials (e.g., copper 

mesh, hardware cloth, sheet metal, concrete, 

etc.) before applying air sealing materials that 

are less resistant (e.g., caulk or foam) or before 

insulating. 

• Protect air intake and exhaust vents from 

rodents, birds and pest entry. For example, cover 

openings with 1/4-inch galvanized mesh.

• Apply boric acid or gels in holes for roach issues. 

(Note: Some states require licensing).

• Follow relevant state pesticide applicator 

standards.

MOISTURE (MOLD AND OTHER BIOLOGICALS) (continued)

OZONE

PESTSD R A F T

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PRIORITY ISSUES ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL

HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Relevant Guidance: 

http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/ipm

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htm 

Occupant Education: 

How To Control Pests Safely. New York City 

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 

http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/ipm/NYC_

Pests_Healthy_Home.pdf

• Provide sealable garbage cans and/or advise 

clients to use them. 

Relevant Guidance:

How To Control Pests Safely, New York City 

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 

http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/ipm/NYC_

Pests_Healthy_Home.pdf

Test homes for radon to help ensure home energy 

retrofit actions do not increase radon exposure. 

Tests, and follow-up action if needed, may be 

conducted using either of the options described in 

the Minimum Actions column at right. 

Perform radon testing in accordance with state 

and federal guidance, as appropriate. Some states 

regulate the activities of radon services providers 

through registration, certification or licensing 

programs. Individuals conducting radon tests 

should be trained/certified through either:

• The National Environmental Health 

Association (NEHA) National Radon 

Proficiency Program, or

• The National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) 

certification program.

Note:

An optional second pre-work radon test may be 

taken and averaged with the initial pre-work 

test, to increase confidence that the short term test 

better reflects the annual average radon level in 

the home.

Determine whether the home has a radon 

mitigation system. Most mitigation systems use 

active soil depressurization and include a radon 

vent fan, usually located in an attic, attached 

garage or on the exterior of the home. 

The options described below are intended to 

minimize the potential for increased occupant 

exposure to radon that may be caused by home 

energy retrofit work, while minimizing additional 

costs. 

Perform radon testing and mitigation in 

accordance with state and federal guidance, as 

appropriate (see Assessment Protocol at left).

Note:

An optional second post-work radon test may be 

taken and averaged with the initial post-work 

radon test to increase confidence that the short 

term test better reflects the annual average radon 

level. DO NOT average the pre-work and postwork test results.

Test-In/Test-Out Option: Test for radon before 

and after energy retrofit work.

If pre-work radon level is 4 pCi/L or greater, take 

appropriate limited radon reduction actions 

during retrofit work (see Expanded Actions 

column at right), AND

 IF post-work radon level is less than 4 pCi/L, 

no further action is required.

 IF post-work radon level is 4 pCi/L or greater, 

but NOT greater than pre-work radon level, 

inform client about radon and provide client 

with EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Radon.

EPA recommends radon mitigation in all homes 

that test at 4 pCi/L or greater. Radon levels less 

than 4 pCi/L still can pose a health risk, and in 

many cases may be reduced. 

The following recommended lower cost, limited 

actions may help reduce the radon level in a home 

or aid more advanced mitigation if necessary:

• Air seal sumps (e.g., install airtight sump cover) 

in such a way that water can drain from above 

and below the sump cover. 

• Install airtight drain fittings (e.g., trap or flange 

system) in foundation floor drains.

• Seal and caulk penetrations, openings, or cracks 

in floors and below grade walls that contact the 

ground, per ASTM C920.

• Cover exposed earth floors in basements and 

crawlspaces per Section 1.2 of EPA Indoor 

airPLUS Construction Specifications or ASTM 

E2121.

Note:

Only active soil depressurization (ASD) systems 

installed per ASTM E2121 have been shown 

to reliably reduce radon below 4 pCi/L. If 

all the above limited radon reduction actions 

are attempted and radon remains high, EPA 

recommends full compliance with ASTM E2121.

PESTS (continued)

RADOND R A F T

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PRIORITY ISSUES ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL

HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Assessment Guidance:

Follow state regulation where it exists. Otherwise 

see EPA guidance for testing and mitigation at 

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/index.html.

Also see: Sample Radon Assessment Form (under 

development)

 IF post-work radon level is greater than prework radon level, mitigate per ASTM E2121 

OR take further radon reduction actions (see 

Expanded Actions) to reduce radon to prework conditions or below, then re-test. Repeat 

this step until post-work radon level is at or 

below pre-work radon level.

If pre-work radon level is less than 4 pCi/L, radon 

reduction actions may not be necessary. Consider 

limited radon reduction actions during retrofit 

work if pre-work radon level is close to 4 pCi/L 

(see Expanded Actions) AND

 IF post-work radon level is NOT greater than 

pre-work radon level, no further action is 

required.

 IF post-work radon level is greater than 

pre-work radon level, but less than 4 pCi/L, 

radon reduction is not required to comply 

with EPA guidance. However, greater radon 

risk may be present and appropriate radon 

reduction actions are recommended (see 

Expanded Actions).

 IF post-work radon level is greater than prework radon level AND is 4 pCi/L or greater, 

mitigate per ASTM E2121 OR take limited 

radon reduction actions (see Expanded 

Actions) to reduce radon to pre-work 

conditions or below, then re-test. Repeat this 

step until post-work radon level is at or below 

pre-work radon level.

OR

Post-Work Test Option: Test radon after retrofit 

work is performed, AND

• If post-work radon level is 4 pCi/L or greater, 

mitigate per ASTM E2121.

• If post-work radon level is less than 4 pCi/L, no 

further action is required.

Homes with an active radon mitigation system: 

If the existing radon mitigation system does not 

reduce radon below 4 pCi/L or is not working as 

designed, troubleshoot the system. Follow state 

residential radon regulations where applicable.

Relevant Guidance: 

ASTM C920, Standard Specification for 

Elastomeric Joint Sealants, Class 25.

For guidance on sealing crawlspaces, see EPA 

Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification 1.2 

or ASTM E2121, Standard Practice for Installing 

Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings (section 7.3). D R A F T

(Continued on next page)

RADON (continued)
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Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Homes with an active radon mitigation system: 

Verify that the radon fan is operating. If not 

operating or if the tested radon level is 4 pCi/L or 

more, advise the client to consult their state radon 

office (http://www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.

html) or a qualified radon mitigation contractor

(http://www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html).

Relevant Standards/Guidance:

ASTM E2121, Standard Practice for Installing 

Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings

EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Radon

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

If there is a sewer gas smell in the home (e.g., 

during fan depressurization test), visually evaluate 

the integrity of sewer vent system (e.g., ensure 

drain traps have water in them, inspect drain lines 

for breaks or leaks).

If soil or groundwater contamination is suspected 

on or near the building site (e.g., former industrial 

sites), volatile contaminants or breakdown 

products may pose an indoor air quality risk 

through soil gas intrusion. In such cases, EPA 

recommends further assessment before air sealing. 

Consult your state or tribal brownfield voluntary 

cleanup program or environmental regulatory 

agency for information on the risks of vapor 

intrusion in your area.

Without discovering and correcting the cause or 

source, corrective measures, such as the installation 

of plastic sheathing or air sealing, will only 

exaggerate these problems.

• Fill dry drain traps with a non-toxic liquid that 

has a slow evaporation rate (e.g., mineral oil), 

and repair or replace failed or unattached sewer 

vent system components before air-sealing 

activities. 

• If soil gas vapor intrusion is suspected, assess 

and mitigate in accordance with state or local 

regulation. If state or local regulation does not 

exist, follow EPA guidance. 

Note: 

Soil depressurization systems similar to radon 

mitigation systems are typically recommended to 

solve soil gas vapor intrusion problems. 

Relevant Guidance: 

American Society of Plumbing Engineers Data 

Book: A Plumbing Engineer’s Guide to System 

Design and Specifications. Volume 2, Plumbing 

Systems (p. 10).

If there is an untrapped floor drain, consider a 

low-cost floor drain seal retrofit often used during 

radon mitigations. D R A F T

RADON (continued)

OTHER BELOWGROUND CONTAMINANT SOURCES

(Continued on next page)
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HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Assessment Standard:

EPA Vapor Intrusion Primer, ASTM E2600, 

or EPA Draft Guidance for Evaluating the 

Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air Pathway from 

Groundwater and Soils.

http://www.epa.gov/waste/hazard/correctiveaction/

eis/vapor.htm

Also see:

http://www.epa.gov/ada/gw/vapor.html

State or local regulation where applicable. 

Otherwise EPA Vapor Intrusion Primer, ASTM 

E2600, or EPA Draft Guidance for Evaluating 

the Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air Pathway from 

Groundwater and Soils.

http://www.epa.gov/waste/hazard/correctiveaction/

eis/vapor.htm

EMERGING ISSUES

Assess if there are any concerns over the following 

emerging issues (additional guidance may be 

necessary):

• PCBs in caulk

• Contaminated drywall

• Spray polyurethane foam 

Assessment Guidance:

No inexpensive assessments have been identified 

for these emerging issues.

• When using spray polyurethane foam, ensure 

workers use proper protection including an 

appropriate respirator, chemical resistant gloves 

and additional chemical resistant clothing to 

prevent dermal exposure. Ensure sufficient 

ventilation and foam cure time to protect 

tenants before re-entry in the home. Also see: 

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/

spray_polyurethane_foam.html

• If PCBs may be present, see: http://www.epa.

gov/pcbsincaulk/

• If contaminated drywall issues are suspected 

in the home, see: http://www.cpsc.gov/info/

drywall/guidance0410.pdf 

CRITICAL BUILDING SYSTEMS FOR OCCUPANT HEALTH

Determine if there are any existing or potential 

safety issues with combustion appliances, such as 

gas, kerosene or oil burning ranges, ovens, stoves, 

furnaces, wood stoves or fireplaces.

Determine if there are any potential safety issues 

that may result from changes to the building 

envelope, using Combustion Appliance Zone 

(CAZ) Worst Case Depressurization testing per 

BPI Section 7.5. 

Assessment Standard:

BPI Home Energy Auditing (EA) Standard 

10/19/09, Section 7 

• Conduct CAZ Testing per BPI Standards and 

ensure compliance.

• If a whole house fan is used for night cooling, 

warn occupants to open many windows before 

operating the fan. 

• Repair, modify or replace combustion 

equipment (e.g., water heater, furnace, boiler, 

gas range, fireplaces, woodstoves, etc.) and 

address other issues/deficiencies as needed to 

meet BPI standards. 

• If the home smells of wood smoke, investigate 

cause and repair.

• Install carbon monoxide (CO) monitors/alarms 

if not present, one per floor level. 

• Address CAZ pressure — with combustion 

make-up air, fan interlocks, transfer grilles, 

jumper ducts, louvered doors or door undercuts 

— or disable offending exhaust equipment.

• When water heaters are replaced, add a heat trap 

to the hot water line of new set-up.

• If replacing combustion equipment as part of 

the retrofit process, replace existing with sealed 

combustion equipment, per Section 5.1 of EPA 

Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification and 

ACCA QI Standards. 

(Continued on next page)

OTHER BELOWGROUND CONTAMINANT SOURCES (continued)

PCBs, DRYWALL & SPRAY POLYURETHANE FOAM

COMBUSTION SAFETY (CO, VOCS & PARTICULATES)

vented appliances D R A F T
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Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Note:

When conducting CAZ testing, 5 Pa 

depressurization limit may not be appropriate 

for all venting conditions. See BPI CAZ 

Depressurization Limits table: 

http://www.bpi.org/Web%20Download/

BPI%20Standards/Building%20Analyst%20

Professional_2-28-05nNC-newCO.pdf

Relevant Standard:

BPI Home Energy Auditing Standard, Section 7

NFPA 720 OR Consumer Product Safety 

Commission Carbon Monoxide Questions and 

Answers CPSC Document #466

Relevant Guidance: 

EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification 

Section 5.1

ACCA QI Standards

http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/construction_

specifications.html

Identify any unvented gas or kerosene space 

heaters or vent-free fireplaces. 

Determine whether any local or state laws 

prohibiting these devices apply.

Recognize all unvented heaters as moisture 

sources. 

Assessment Guidance: 

N/A

• Install carbon monoxide (CO) monitors/alarms 

if not present (one per floor level). 

• Verify that kitchen exhaust fan exhausts to 

outdoors.

• Recommend removing all unvented combustion 

appliances. If the primary source of heat, replace 

with vented, code-compliant heating systems.

• Red tag illegal unvented gas or kerosene space 

heaters according to local and state law and 

advise clients to remove them as appropriate. If 

the primary source of heat, replace with vented, 

code-compliant heating systems.

• If occupant intends to disregard these 

recommendations, educate occupants about 

the hazards of operating illegal unvented 

space heaters or operating vent-free appliances 

inconsistently with manufacturer’s directions. 

For example, some manufacturers’ directions 

call for open windows, as use of the device 

requires additional ventilation to remove 

products of combustion such as NO2

, CO2, 

ultrafine particles and water vapor. 

Relevant Standard:

BPI Home Energy Auditing Standard, Sections 

3.2 and 7 

NFPA 720 OR Consumer Product Safety 

Commission Carbon Monoxide Questions and 

Answers CPSC Document #466

This cell is intentionally blank.

vented appliances (continued)

Unvented Appliances D R A F T
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Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Determine if home complies with local exhaust 

requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, 

using Appendix A - Existing Buildings. 

Determine if dryers vent to the outdoors 

(condensing dryers are exempt).

Check for laundry room exhaust fans.

Inspect/verify that kitchen/bath/dryer exhaust do 

not discharge into crawlspaces, attics or within 

walls.

Assessment Standard: 

ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, “Ventilation 

and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings,” including Normative 

Appendix A – Existing Buildings 

BPI Home Energy Auditing (EA) Standard, 

Section 8.2

Also see: Sample Existing Homes Ventilation 

Worksheet (under development)

• If bathroom, dryer and kitchen exhaust 

requirements or the alternative compliance 

method in Appendix A of ASHRAE Standard 

62.2-2010 are not met, repair, replace or 

install exhaust ventilation that meets ASHRAE 

Standard 62.2-2010 requirements and ensure 

ducts are sized and installed and venting 

properly to outdoors OR install additional 

ventilation measures as necessary to meet 

ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 requirements, 

using Appendix A - Existing Buildings to 

account for existing fans and windows. 

• Ensure that all clothes dryers exhaust to the 

outdoors (condensing dryers are exempt).

Relevant Standards:

ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, “Ventilation 

and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings,” including Normative 

Appendix A - Existing Buildings 

BPI Home Energy Auditing (EA) Standard, 

Section 8.2

• If the home is in compliance with ASHRAE 

Standard 62.2-2010 without bathroom or 

kitchen exhaust fans (i.e., using Appendix A), 

EPA recommends installation of exhaust fans, 

vented to the outdoors, per ASHRAE Standard 

62.2-2010 requirements of Section 5, to 

improve pollutant source removal.

Relevant Standard:

ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, “Ventilation 

and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings,” including Normative 

Appendix A - Existing Buildings

Determine if existing ventilation meets ASHRAE 

Standard 62.2-2010 requirements, using Appendix 

A - Existing Buildings. (This will require blower 

door testing and measuring fan flows—e.g., 

bathroom, kitchen exhaust). Determine if 

additional ventilation measures are needed to meet 

the ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 requirements. 

Assessment Standard: 

ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, “Ventilation 

and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings,” including Normative 

Appendix A – Existing Buildings

Also see: Sample Existing Homes Ventilation 

Worksheet (under development)

• Install additional ventilation measures as 

necessary to meet ASHRAE Standard 62.2-

2010 requirements, using Appendix A - Existing 

Buildings to account for existing fans and 

windows. 

Relevant Standard:

ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, “Ventilation 

and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings,” including Normative 

Appendix A - Existing Buildings

• Ensure newly installed central forced-air HVAC 

systems have minimum MERV 8 filter, no filter 

bypass, and no air cleaners designed to produce 

ozone. 

• For existing systems, check with the manufacturer 

to determine if MERV 8 filters can be installed.

• During remodeling/renovation activities, 

follow the guidance in EPA Indoor airPLUS 

Construction Specifications Sections 6.1 

(structural plywood, oriented strand board 

(OSB), and composite wood products), 6.2 

(interior paints and finishes), and 6.3 (carpets and 

carpet adhesives), where applicable. 

Relevant Guidance:

EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications 

4.7, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3

http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/construction_

specifications.html

Whole House Ventilation for Distributed Contaminant Sources, Including Formaldehyde, Other VOCs, and Particles

EXHAUST VENTILATION FOR LOCALIZED CONTAMINANT SOURCES INCLUDING KITCHENS, BATHS, DRYERS, ETC.

D R A F T
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Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

SAFETY

Determine if there are working CO monitors/

alarms and smoke detectors.

Identify knob and tube electrical wiring.

Identify harmful chemicals in accessible locations.

Assessment Guidance:

N/A

• Test/install working CO and smoke alarms. 

If new batteries are needed, install a 10-year 

lithium battery. 

• Do not bury unsafe wiring in attic insulation.

Relevant Standard:

BPI Home Energy Auditing Standard, Section 7

NFPA 720 OR Consumer Product Safety 

Commission Carbon Monoxide Questions and 

Answers CPSC Document #466

Occupant Education: 

Hot water heater set-back rationale; instructions 

on how to test smoke and CO alarms; other safety 

measures for young children, elderly, etc.; referral 

to other local programs

• Recommend safe storage of harmful household 

chemicals (e.g., remove from accessible 

locations). 

• For households with small children and/or 

elderly occupants, discuss scald prevention with 

clients and adjust hot water heater setpoint to 

120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding. 

• For households with small children, recommend 

installation of gates at top of stairs. 

• In homes with elderly persons, install grab bars, 

handrails and lighting as appropriate.

• Recommend replacement of knob and tube 

wiring following applicable electrical codes 

using qualified personnel. 

Relevant Guidance:

N/A

Occupants and workers need to be protected from 

unsafe exposures during retrofit and renovation 

activities. By law, employers and supervisors are 

required to ensure that workers are working with 

an OSHA written Safety and Health Plan. 

Typical OSHA Construction Plan Includes: 

Falls 29 CFR 1926.501

Ladders 29 CFR 1926.1053

Electrical 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K 

Chemicals 29 CFR 1926.59

Confined Space 29 CFR 1926.21 (b)(6)(i)

Free help with developing these plans is often 

available from state or federal training (consulting) 

programs. 

Assessment Guidance: 

OSHA 1926 Safety and Health Regulations for 

Construction

Safety and Health Plans shall address multiple 

construction issues, including the following:

• When known pollutants are being produced 

or disturbed during retrofit activities, follow 

appropriate standards to minimize worker and 

occupant exposure, including EPA lead safe, 

BPI, OSHA, NIOSH, etc. (see below).

• Ensure proper ventilation and adequate 

worker hazard protection during these types of 

activities.

Additional Resources:

OSHA website

http://www.osha.gov/

National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health (NIOSH) website

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh

When possible, choose construction products with 

manufacturers that disclose all ingredients and 

verify that they are free of formaldehyde, mercury, 

and other known toxic substances. 

Additional Resource:

Healthy Building Network PHAROS Tool

http://pharosproject.net

Occupant and Worker Safety

Home Safety

D R A F T

(Continued on next page)
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HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Lead: Determine if retrofitting/renovation 

activities will expose workers to lead dust (paint) 

(e.g., pre-1978 buildings). 

Lead: If the facility was built before 1978, 

retrofitting/renovation activities involving existing 

paint are assumed to contain lead and require 

compliance with EPA 40 CFR 745 RRP. OSHA’s 

Lead Standard for the Construction Industry at 29 

CFR 1926.62, covers hazards from lead. 

OSHA publication “Lead in Construction” 

which can be found at http://www.osha.gov/

Publications/osha3142.pdf, provides information 

on OSHA requirements to protect workers from 

lead hazards in the construction industry.

Asbestos: Determine if workers will be exposed 

to asbestos containing material (e.g., pre-1980 

buildings).

Asbestos: If the facility was built before 1980, 

retrofitting/renovation activities may expose 

workers to asbestos containing material and 

require compliance with 29 CFR 1926.1101, 

which provides the required protection measures. 

See page 1 for more guidance.

Falls: Determine if workers will be exposed to 

heights of 6 feet or greater.

Falls: If work is required at heights of 6 feet or 

greater, then the workers must be protected with 

guard rails or tied off to prevent falling, Refer to 

OSHA rule at 29 CFR 1926.501.

Additional information on protecting the 

workers from fall hazards can be found at: http://

www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/falls/

mainpage.html.

Ladders: Determine if workers will be using 

ladders.

Ladders: If ladders are used, portable ladders 

must be able to support at least four times the 

maximum intended load. Ladders that must lean 

against a wall are to be positioned at a 4:1 angle. 

Ladders are to be kept free of oil, grease, wet paint 

and other slipping hazards. The area around the 

top and bottom of the ladder must be kept clear. 

Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to 

provide longer sections. Metal ladders must not be 

used while working on electrical equipment and 

electrical wiring. Additional information available 

at: OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926.1053.

Additional resources on ladder safety can be found 

on OSHA’s website at: http://www.osha.gov/

Publications/osha3124.pdf.

Electrical: Determine if workers will be exposed to 

electrical hazards.

Electrical: Exposure to electrical hazards is a leading 

cause of death and injuries for construction work. 

29 CFR 1926 Subpart K contains requirements 

in protecting workers from electrical hazards. 

Employers must make sure that all non-doubleinsulated electric equipment is equipped with a 

grounding conductor (three-wire type). Worn or 

frayed electric cords must not be used. Employers 

must provide either ground-fault circuit interrupters 

or an assured equipment grounding conductor 

program (which includes the regular testing of 

all equipment grounding conductors) to protect 

employees from ground faults.

Additional information on electrical safety 

available at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/

construction/electrical_incidents/mainpage.html.

Occupant and Worker Safety (continued)

D R A F T

(Continued on next page)
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HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Mold: Determine if workers will be exposed to 

mold.

Mold: Mold is found in damp, humid 

environments that have poor air exchange. Most 

molds do not harm healthy people but can cause 

allergies and asthma in others. If mold is suspected 

to be disturbed during activities, refer to the CDC 

Mold Prevention Strategies, NIOSH Interim 

Recommendations for Cleaning and remediation, 

or EPA’s publication, A Brief Guide to Mold, 

Moisture and Your Home for guidance. 

Mold Guidance Documents can be found at 

http://www.epa.gov/mold/ and http://www.

cdc.gov/mold/cleanup.htm. All suspect moldy 

areas should be remediated by properly trained 

individuals. The moisture source needs to be 

identified (http://www.epa.gov/mold/) or mold 

will return.

Hazard communication: Determine whether 

workers will be exposed to chemicals.

Hazard communication: If renovation/retrofitting 

activities will require the handling of chemical 

substances, compliance with 29 CFR 1926.59 

is necessary. It requires that chemical safety 

information be made available for all chemicals in 

use, containers are properly labeled, and workers 

handling them are properly trained.

Confined space: Determine if workers are exposed 

to confined space hazards. 

Confined space: Ensure work space has breathable 

air (i.e., ventilate the work space if necessary). 

Section 5(a)(1) of OSH ACT requires employers 

to protect workers from workplace hazards that 

are serious in nature. 29 CFR 1926.21 (b)(6)(i) 

requires that all employees required to enter into 

confined or enclosed spaces shall be instructed as 

to the nature of the hazards involved, the necessary 

precautions to be taken, and the use of protective 

and emergency equipment required.

Additional resources on confined space hazards 

in the General Industry may be found on 

OSHA’s website at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/

confinedspaces/recognition.html.

Occupant and Worker Safety (continued)

D R A F T(Continued on next page)
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HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Minimum Actions Expanded Actions

Spray polyurethane foam: Determine if workers 

are using spray polyurethane foam.

Spray polyurethane foam: Spray polyurethane 

foam (SPF) is extremely hazardous, and if it is 

going to be used,the NIOSH Alert “Preventing 

Asthma and Death from MDI” provides best 

safe practices for SPF use. SPF should only be 

applied with full face supplied air respirators 

and protective clothing. The work area should 

be ventilated for hours before reentry is allowed. 

OSHA’s standard for MDI in general industry 

is 29 CFR 1910.1000 Subpart K and for 

construction is 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A.

For Spray Polyurethane Foam, follow 

recommendations provided on EPA’s website: 

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/spray_

polyurethane_foam.html

SPF is a widely used and highly-effective insulator 

and sealant; however, eye, skin, and inhalation 

exposures to its key ingredient, isocyanates, and 

other chemicals in SPF products of concern in 

vapors, aerosols and dusts during SPF installation 

can cause: asthma, lung damage, respiratory 

problems and other breathing difficulties, skin and 

eye irritation, and potentially other adverse health 

effects.

Minimum Health Protections include:

• Building occupants and other trade workers not 

involved in the SPF installation should vacate the 

premises.

• Review product ingredients and use information, 

such as material safety data sheets (MSDSs). 

• Isolate the work site. 

• Wear prescribed personal protective equipment: 

chemical resistant (nitrile) gloves, appropriate 

respirator, and chemical resistant clothing.

• Ventilate the work site. 

• Clean the area thoroughly before re-entry of 

unprotected workers or occupants. 

NIOSH Protective Clothing and Ensembles Safety 

and Health Topic website

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/protclothing

Drywall with impurities: Determine whether 

drywall has been imported from China.

Drywall with impurities: if drywall suspected 

to contain sulfur/mercury impurities is used, 

immediately reassess and substitute with a less 

hazardous alternative. There is no known abatement 

for Chinese drywall containing sulfur/mercury.

Occupant and Worker Safety (continued)

D R A F T
End Notes:

1 DISCLAIMER: Tightening a building is essential for energy efficiency, but may have the unintended consequence of allowing 

contaminants that would otherwise be diluted to build up to unhealthy levels, including secondhand smoke in homes of smokers or in 

attached multi-family dwellings adjacent to smokers.

2 Smoking by residents in single-family dwellings is an occupant behavior that is beyond the scope of this document.

3 This is not a complete summary of the regulatory requirements. The full requirements can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/

renovation.htm. The intent of this DRAFT protocol is to promote the most health protective steps that are feasible and practical. The 

minimum action recommended in this DRAFT protocol is to comply with whatever the most current version of the RRP Rule prescribes. 

The current version of the RRP Rule does not require dust wipe testing and passage of clearance standards after demolition, removal of 

greater than 6 ft2 of plaster, or use of machines that disturb paint through high-speed operation; or dust wipe testing after use of heat gun at 

temperatures below 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit; removal or replacement of windows or doors; scraping greater than 60ft2 of painted surfaces; 

or removing greater than 40ft2 of trim of molding. However, a subsequent final rulemaking may include these more stringent requirements.

4 Reference EPA website to find accredited training programs: http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_training.htm.

5 More stringent requirements apply for HUD projects that use over $5,000 of federal assistance.

6 Dust clearance testing includes measuring for lead dust on floors, windowsills and window troughs. See http://www.nchh.org/Portals/0/

Contents/factsheet_lead_dust.pdf. 

7 This assessment is designed to help contractors and assessors identify existing or potential moisture problems.

8 Replacing an atmospherically-vented combustion device with a high-efficiency, fan-powered exhaust or sealed combustion device can 

lower the ventilation rate and affect indoor humidity levels. If an atmospherically-vented combustion device is causing an indoor humidity 

problem, it should be repaired in accordance with the Combustion Safety section of this Protocol.

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http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/retrofits.html