Organizers have released the final program for the conference and exposition, Healthy Indoor Environments: Asthma & Allergen Control, to be held May 11-12, 2000, at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Dallas, Texas. Pre-conference workshops with be held May 10 and a special IAQ marketplace symposium will be held May 13.

Healthy Indoor Environments is co-produced by Indoor Environment Communications, publisher of the Indoor Environment Connections newspaper, and the University of Tulsa Indoor Air Program.

The conference program seeks to fulfill the most innovative and aggressive goal ever established for an IAQ conference - to unite medical professionals with IAQ practitioners and help both groups understand of how their combined expertise can be used to prevent and control asthma and allergen exposure in the indoor environment. The speaker line-up includes top medical researchers, doctors and regulators, as well as the most renowned IAQ investigators, engineers and remediation specialists.

In addition to a progressive and informative group of sessions, the conference will feature an exhibit hall to showcase IAQ products and services, and medical treatments for sufferers of asthma and allergies.

National Attention

The main conference program kicks off with introductions by U.S. EPA, the American Lung Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. EPA's Director of Office of Children's Health Protection, Ramona Trovato, will talk about the agency's renewed focus on the prevention of childhood asthma and allergies. ALA national representative, Leyla McCurdy, and CDC's Dr. Steve Redd will discuss how their respective organizations will respond to new advances in asthma and allergen control in the 21st century.

The first seminar, "What is the Prevalence of Asthma in the U.S. and What is its Relationship to Indoor Air Quality," will set the stage for the rest of the conference. Dr. John Spengler of Harvard's School of Public Health will talk about the dramatic increase in asthma cases in the last decade, as well the environmental risk factors for asthma in homes, schools, transportation, urban areas, and the workplace that have contributed to it.

With the asthma problem identified and taken into its proper perspective, Dr. Paul Enright of the University of Arizona Medical Center will tackle the subject "Linking Asthma to Exposures." Enright will help attendees understand how asthma is diagnosed. He will also talk about how statistical and information resources such as peak flow meter readings, diaries, provocative challenges, history taking can assist in identifying and controlling risk factors.

Conference organizers, seeking the best authorities worldwide, will bring the Swedish doctor Jan Sundell to present "Types of Exposures and Health Effects Related to Asthma/Allergies." This presentation will address how different indoor factors - particles, gases, pets, ventilation, dampness, etc. - affect human health. Dr. Sundell will also explore how sick building syndrome and building-related illness are impacted by environmental characteristics.

Dr. Sundell's presentation will be complemented by a presentation from Dr. Claudia Miller of the University of Texas Health Science Center. She will address "The Asthmatic Home: What's There and What Do We look For?" Her talk is designed to help attendees identify and control factors in the home that may exacerbate asthmatic conditions.

Presentations, Then Discussions

After a luncheon in the exhibit hall, the last two presentations on May 11th focus squarely on the issue of microbiological contamination. Dr. Harriet Burge of the Harvard School of Public Health will present "Fungal / Biological Contamination." Her talk will provide an overview of how fungal contamination acts as an allergen, as well as how to interpret biological sampling data.

Burge's presentation is followed by "Fungal Control Strategies," to be delivered by Dr. Philip Morey of Air Quality Services Inc. He will explain the importance of the building inspection, areas where hidden fungal contamination may be located, the utility of sampling, and moisture control as a public health issue.

The program on May 12th kicks off with a presentation by a doctor whom many consider the foremost authority on allergen control. Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills will discuss "Mites, Cockroaches, Cats/Dogs, and Rodents." His presentation will focus on the effectiveness of control options in reducing allergens and secondary approaches such as air cleaning and humidity control.

Next in the speaker line-up is Dr. Gene Cole of Dyncorp, who will present "Cleaning Approaches." He will explain the impact of cleaning on specific allergens, and address the known benefits and risk factors associated with duct cleaning, biocides, flooring selection and vacuum cleaners.

Dr. Richard Shaughnessy of the University of Tulsa rounds out the morning sessions with a talk on "Air Cleaning." He will explain the types and methods of air cleaning, filter rating systems, and benefits derived from portable air cleaners. He will also talk about some of the controversial approaches that are advocated for allergen control but which may not be in the best interest of allergy sufferers. Shaughnessy's presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on "Cleaning Approaches and Air Cleaning" that features several of the conference presenters.

Following lunch in the exhibit hall, Dr. Charles Weschler of Telcordia Technologies will speak on "Potentially Irritating Chemicals." His talk will address chemical reactions among indoor pollutants, oxidized products, short lived/highly reactive species, and sub-micron particles.

Research architect Hal Levin is scheduled to address "Healthy Home Construction," with a primary emphasis on considerations for children and individuals with asthma/allergies. Levin's presentation will be complimented by a panel discussion on "Potentially Irritating Chemicals and Healthy Home Construction" featuring several conference speakers.

he final presentation of the conference, "On-Site Assessment (schools, offices, homes): Complaint Response" will be delivered by William Turner of the H.L. Turner Group. The presentation will address source identification, available assessment tools, and diagnostics techniques and equipment. A panel discussion will take place after Turner's speech.
The final program for May 10 and 13 will be announced next month in IE Connections.

Registration materials for attendees and exhibitors are now available. For more information, contact IE Connections at e-mail iaqdial@aol.com, phone (301) 962-5070, and fax (301) 962-5125.