District of Columbia Code §§ 6-1451.01--.11
Establishes a green building code and authorizes the mayor to adopt regulations. Regulations (20 D.C. Mun. Regs. 3518, 3521) set building energy performance compliance pathways and establish that a building owner may not, in the process of complying with the energy performance requirements, "implement a measure that poses a threat to the health and safety of a building occupant or user, including by reducing indoor environmental quality."
District of Columbia Code § 6-1409
Authorizes the Mayor to issue proposed rules to amend the District of Columbia's construction codes, to be submitted for review by the D.C. Council. Rules adopted by the city (12 D.C. Mun. Regs.12-B-F App. F.) revise the residential building code to establish radon-resistant new construction requirements by incorporating an amended version of Appendix F of the International Residential Code.
District of Columbia Code § 10-712
Requires the D.C. Dept. of General Services to assess D.C.-owned buildings (including schools) for potential IAQ risks, including: ventilation and temperature control; mold or mildew; pests; the use of any pesticides that are not minimum risk pesticides or organic pesticides; toxic chemicals and hazardous waste; asbestos; lead-based paint; lead in drinking water; radon; carbon monoxide; groundwater quality; dust; gas and diesel emissions; polychlorinated biphenyls; and volatile organic compounds. Directs the agency to establish inspection and remediation protocols and post online the results of assessments and remediation activities. Requires certain action if the agency determines that any of the assessed environmental risks are potential hazards at a site that will undergo demolition, construction, or excavation.
District of Columbia Code §§ 7-2034, 2036
Establishes that a license is required to operate a child development facility and authorizes the Mayor to promulgate minimum standards for operation of licensed facilities. Municipal regulations (5-A D.C. Mun. Regs. 122--129) establishing health and safety standards for licensed child development facilities require licensees to "ensure that the Facility is free of moisture, mold, and mildew, including but not limited to, moisture resulting from water leakage or seepage" and maintain floors free from dampness. The facility health and safety standards also address, among other things, lead-based paint, ventilation, space heaters, pest control, use of non-toxic materials and equipment, and carbon monoxide alarms.
District of Columbia Code § 8-101.05
Authorizes the Mayor, in carrying out a comprehensive program for the control and prevention of outdoor air pollution, to establish and maintain an indoor air hazard education program to educate District residents on the potential threats posed by and mitigation methods for indoor air hazards.
District of Columbia Code §§ 8-241.01--.09
Requires landlords to remediate mold contamination in rental dwellings and to disclose previous mold contamination to prospective tenants. Regulations (14 D.C. Mun. Regs. 4111) require landlords to maintain for three years information known or that should have been known about the presence of indoor mold contamination, unless the mold has been remediated by a professional. Directs the District Department of the Environment to establish minimum work practices and guidelines for mold assessment and remediation and to set a threshold level of indoor mold contamination that requires professional remediation. Also requires the Department to establish a licensing program for mold professionals, along with minimum mold work practice standards and guidelines, and prohibits anyone from engaging in the business of mold assessment or remediation without being certified or licensed. Regulations (20 D.C. Mun. Regs. 3200 et seq.) establish a licensing program, and provide guidelines for mold assessment and remediation below the threshold requiring licensing. Public housing tenants must be given notice of their rights to receive an inspection and remediation of mold under this law through the Public Housing Resident Bill of Rights, mandated under separate legislation (D.C. Code § 6-232).
District of Columbia Code § 38-825.01
Requires D.C. Public Schools to use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies in its schools buildings and provides that the District may exhaust its existing supply of cleaners. Directs the Mayor to submit to the D.C. Council a report describing implementation of this requirement. Establishes an environmental programs office in the D.C. Department of General Services that is charged with, among other things, promoting EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools program, establishing an integrated pest management program, and developing a proposal for recognizing schools that significantly improve their environmental portfolio.
District of Columbia Code §§ 42-1301--1311
Requires sellers of property containing up to four dwelling units to provide to purchasers a real property disclosure statement on a form approved by the Mayor. Regulation adopting Seller's Disclosure Statement (17 D.C. Mun. Regs. 2708) requires information about sellers' knowledge of environmental problems on the property, including radon, asbestos, lead-based paint, and formaldehyde, and the presence of carbon monoxide detectors.
District of Columbia Code §§ 28-4201--4203
Prohibits persons or companies from conducting radon screening, testing or mitigation unless they have been listed as proficient by the U.S. EPA or have received certification of proficiency from an organization approved by the Mayor. Requires the Mayor to maintain a public list of those who have been listed as proficient by EPA. Authorizes the Mayor to issue rules establishing radon screening, testing, or mitigation programs in the District that are in compliance with any recommendations or guidelines published by EPA. Regulations adopted by the Department of Energy and Environment (20 D.C. Mun. Regs. 3250) require persons conducting or offering to conduct radon screening, testing, or mitigation for a fee to be certified as proficient by the National Radon Proficiency Program or the National Radon Safety Board.