Learn About IAQ

IAQ in Tribal Communities

American Indian and Native Alaskan communities may be disproportionately affected by health problems associated with poor indoor air quality, such as lung cancer.¹ However, many actions can be taken to improve IAQ in tribal communities to slowly begin to change those statistics.

This Website can help you improve IAQ in your tribal community. You can find information to educate your community about the simple actions they can take to improve their IAQ and protect their health, as well as examples of how other tribes have created sustainable community outreach and education programs.

¹American Lung Association's (ALA) page on Racial/Ethnic Differences

Read about Innovative Tribal Programs:

• The Navajo Nation EPA Radon Program
• The Cowlitz Weatherization Program
• The Tribal IAQ Summit Workgroup
• The Tulalip Tribes Indoor Air Program
• The Bois Forte Indoor Air Quality Program

EPA Resources

• EPA’s Tribal Air Website  contains information about many tribal policies and initiatives on air quality.
• EPA’s Tribal Nations Children’s Environmental Health Resource Guide (PDF) (23 pp., 441 K, about PDF) offers a comprehensive listing of environmental health resources.
• For environmental justice air quality case studies, grant availability, technical tools and notes from meetings or conferences, visit EPA's Office of Air and Radiation EJAir Web site.

Communities in Action for Asthma Friendly Environments Online Network

AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org  is designed for community-based asthma programs and organizations that sponsor them — including representatives of health plans and providers, government health and environmental agencies, tribal communities, nonprofits, coalitions, schools and more.

EPA's National Radon Action Month Activities or the Asthma Community Network  can help you identify other community organizations for partnership in your area.

Additional Resources

National Native Commercial Tobacco Abuse Prevention Network

The National Native Commercial Tobacco Abuse Prevention Network is committed to preserving the sacred status of traditional tobacco and its ceremonial / sacred uses. The national network is a diverse community of American Indian / Alaska Natives leading commercial tobacco abuse prevention efforts throughout Indian Country. KeepItSacred.org is a one-stop connection to resources to assist you develop commercial tobacco abuse prevention efforts.

Indian Health Service: Tobacco Control Task Force

The “Tobacco Control Strategic Plan”, developed by Tobacco Control Task Force (TCTF) representatives from the Indian Health Service (IHS),  highlights how community readiness can be fostered in a healthcare setting.

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, or ITEP, offers wide-ranging resources on tribal community air quality information.

Top of page

Learn About IAQ

• IAQ in Tribal Communities
• Asthma Triggers
• Secondhand Smoke
• Radon
• Moisture/Mold
• Wood Smoke
• Carbon Monoxide
• Other Pollutants

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• Learn About IAQ
• Innovative Tribal Programs
• Training: Tools You Can Use

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We want your input

Have you planned a successful and sustainable community program? If so, we would like to know. Please send us an e-mail at iaqtribal@epa.gov describing the program, and that program could be highlighted here. We will follow up with the program directly to gather more information and permission to use their story.