Sen Feinstein highlights ASHRAE in Congressional record remarks.

Press Release Summary:



U.S. Senate passed legislation that could make air travel healthier by calling for FAA to conduct study of air quality in cabins of U.S. airliners. Measure to protect flying public from harmful toxins was put forth by Senator Dianne Feinstein's (D-CA). In her address to Senate, Feinstein supported her argument with 2009 letter from ASHRAE Presidential Member William Harrison, in which he called on FAA to investigate and determine requirements for bleed air contaminant monitoring.



Original Press Release:



Sen. Feinstein Highlights ASHRAE in Congressional Record Remarks



ATLANTA-The U.S. Senate passed legislation that could make air travel a little less stressful and much more healthy by calling for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a study of air quality in the cabins of U.S. airliners.

The measure to protect the flying public from harmful toxins in cabin air planes was put forth by Senator Dianne Feinstein's (D-Calif.) and approved by the Senate on March 22.

In her address to the Senate, Feinstein supported her argument for further study of the quality and safety of cabin air with a 2009 letter from ASHRAE Presidential Member William Harrison, in which he called on the FAA to "investigate and determine the requirements for bleed air contaminant monitoring and solutions to prevent bleed air contamination."

"I agree with the ASHRAE recommendation that we need to study this problem and take steps to protect public health and safety," Feinstein said, in presenting the measure as an amendment to the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improve Act. "I offer this amendment in order to implement ASHRAE's very sound recommendations, and I encourage my colleagues to support it."

In the letter, Harrison urged the FAA to consider adopting ASHRAE Standard 161-2007, Air Quality Within Commercial Aircraft, which covers issues such as temperature, cabin pressure, air contaminants and ventilation rates. The standard also addresses chemical, physical and biological contaminants that could affect air quality as well. Methods of testing are provided for ensuring compliance with the standard's requirements.

Harrison's letter was submitted to be included in the Congressional record.

"The Senate legislation is a move in the right direction for aircraft passenger safety and comfort," Doug Read, program director of government affairs for ASHRAE, said. "The Society works hard to ensure federal legislation captures the important work and expertise of ASHRAE in all aspects, and utilizes this expertise to advance and protect the needs of the general public. Standard 161 is an example of ASHRAE's expertise in other areas and provides yet another avenue towards this goal."

As an amendment to the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, the measure will "ensure that the FAA has the information it needs to protect the public from harmful toxins in ventilation systems on commercial aircraft."

"ASHRAE is pleased to hear of this amendment, we have long urged for this issue to be addressed by the FAA" ASHRAE President Gordon Holness said. "Raising awareness to the necessity of high standards for indoor air quality, whether in a building or an airplane, helps to further the Society's mission of serving humanity through advancing HVAC&R technology."

"ASHRAE will continue to reach out to FAA and offer Standard 161 as guidance as it begins its investigations in cabin air quality, with the hope that this results in stronger regulations to control indoor air quality in aircraft cabins" he said.

The measure now must be considered by both chambers for inclusion in the final bill to reauthorize the FAA.

Created in 1958 under the Federal Aviation Act, the FAA is responsible for the safety of civil aviation and is a part of the Department of Transportation. Its major roles include regulating civil aviation; encouraging and developing civil aeronautics; developing and operating a system of air traffic control; and regulating U.S. commercial space transportation, to name just a few.

ASHRAE is an international technical society that fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.

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