Indoor air quality (IAQ) can include things like temperature, humidity, poor ventilation, mold from water damage, or exposure to other chemicals. On April 5, 1994, OSHA published a proposed rulemaking on IAQ. The proposal covered a broad range of issues falling into two major categories: (a) environmental tobacco smoke, and (b) general IAQ as manifested in sick building syndrome and building related illnesses.
However, the proposal was never finalized. To date, federal OSHA has no IAQ standards but it does provide guidelines about the most common IAQ workplace complaints. In addition, OSHA-covered employers must follow the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, which requires them to provide workers with a safe workplace that does not have any known hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury. At the same time, specific state and local regulations may apply.
