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IEQ & Biological Agents Committee

The Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Committee and the Biosafety & Environmental Microbiology (BEM) Committee have merged to form the IEQ & Biological Agents Committee. This combined committee brings together professionals with expertise in indoor air quality, waterborne and airborne pathogens, biosafety, environmental microbiology, building science, and exposure assessment.

This restructuring strengthens collaboration across related disciplines and supports the continued development of high-quality guidance, resources, and best practices for practitioners, facility owners, and public health professionals.

Committee Structure

To support focused progress in priority areas, the committee is organized into three subcommittees:

1. Biological Agents Subcommittee

This subcommittee focuses on biosafety and environmental microbiology topics, including pathogen detection, laboratory practices, contamination control, and emerging infectious diseases. It also serves as the developmental foundation for reestablishing BEM as a standalone committee in the future.

2. Water Pathogens Subcommittee

This subcommittee addresses pathogens in building water systems, Legionella risk management, water management programs, remediation practices, and the development of tools and educational materials related to waterborne hazards.

3. Indoor Air Quality Subcommittee

This subcommittee concentrates on indoor air quality evaluation, HVAC performance, ventilation standards, chemical and biological contaminants, and the creation of guidance documents relevant to IAQ professionals.

Current Initiatives

  • Development of tools and guidance related to waterborne pathogens and Legionella control
  • Creation of IAQ educational materials and assessment resources
  • Advancement of biosafety and environmental microbiology topics
  • Support of AIHA standards development and public outreach
  • Collaboration with allied organizations and regulatory agencies

Member Participation

Members of the IEQ & Biological Agents Committee are encouraged to join at least one subcommittee based on their interest and expertise. Active participation ensures continued progress on committee initiatives and supports the development of resources that are critically needed within the profession and by the public.

Achievements/Honors (IEQ/Biological Monitoring Committee)

IEQ Committee: 

  • Received AIHA Volunteer Group Shining Star Award- 2020
  • AIHA Outstanding Volunteer Group (2020, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008)
  • Selected as an Outstanding Volunteer Group deemed “Best in Class.”
  • Selected the winner of the Lila Albin Award for 2020 – JOEH publication
  • Endowed the Philip R. Morey Memorial Scholarship – 2015 to present

Biological Monitoring Committee 

  • Outstanding Volunteer Group ( 2014, 2013, 2010, 2008)

2024–2025 Volunteer Groups Named Award Recipients

Lila Albin Award
Presented by the AIHA Indoor Environmental Quality Committee
Since 1997, the Indoor Environmental Quality Committee has recognized a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (JOEH).
This year’s recipient is J. David Krause for “Controlling Legionella pneumophila Growth in Hot Water Systems by Reducing Dissolved Oxygen Levels,” JOEH, 21(4), 259–269, DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2024.2313580.

2023–2024 Volunteer Groups Named Award Recipients

Lila Albin Award
Presented by the AIHA Indoor Environmental Quality Committee
Since 1997, the Indoor Environmental Quality Committee has recognized a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (JOEH).
This year’s recipients are Darpan Das, Kelsey R. Babik, Emma Moynihan, and Gurumurthy Ramachandran for “Experimental Studies of Particle Removal and Probability of COVID-19 Infection in Passenger Railcars,” JOEH, 20(1), January 2023.

2022–2023 Volunteer Groups Named Award Recipients

Lila Albin Award
Presented by the AIHA Indoor Environmental Quality Committee
Since 1997, the committee has recognized a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (JOEH) that (a) provides practical information and expands the knowledge base of IEQ professionals, (b) addresses a critical IEQ issue, and (c) presents the topic clearly and engagingly.
This year, the committee selected “Reducing the Particles Generated by Flushing Institutional Toilets,” JOEH, 19(5), 318–326, published online April 19, 2022, authored by Changjie Cai, Peter Kim, PhD, Thomas H. Connor, Yingtao Liu, and Evan L. Floyd, PhD, CIH.

2021–2022 Volunteer Groups Named Award Recipients

Lila Albin Award
Presented by the AIHA Indoor Environmental Quality Committee
The award goes to Jeff Wagner, Tamara L. Sparks, Shelly Miller, Wenhao Chen, Janet M. Macher, and Jed M. Waldman for “Modeling the Impacts of Physical Distancing and Other Exposure Determinants on Aerosol Transmission,” JOEH, 18(10–11), 405–509, published online September 13, 2021.

2020–2021 Volunteer Groups Named Award Recipients

Lila Albin Award
Presented by the AIHA Indoor Environmental Quality Committee
This year’s recipients are Benjamin L. Augenbraun, Zack D. Lasner, Debayan Mitra, Sridhar Prabhu, Shivam Raval, Hiromitsu Sawaoka, and John M. Doyle for “Assessment and Mitigation of Aerosol Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Laboratory and Office Environments,” JOEH, 17(10), 447–456.

Resources

Historical Information 

The Lila Albin Award for the Best Indoor Environmental Quality Paper

Since 1997, the AIHA Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Committee has evaluated peer-reviewed journal articles to bestow this award at the committee’s annual meeting. Papers must: (a) be peer reviewed and published during the previous year in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene; (b) provide practical information and expand knowledge base of IEQ professionals; (c) address a critical IEQ issue; and (d) present the topic clearly and engagingly. In 2012, the award was renamed in honor of the late Lila Albin, Ph.D. to honor her skills, energy and enthusiasm as Chair of the AIHA IEQ Committee, as AIHA Indiana Local Section President, and as Board Member/On-line editor for the American Institute of Chemists. Lila earned her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Health Physics, Industrial Hygiene and Indoor Air Quality at Purdue University and did her Ph.D. dissertation on the bioactivity of carpet extracts.

  • 2018: Jaime Butler-Dawson, Kit Galvin, Peter S. Thorne & Diane S. Rohlman (2018) Organophosphorus pesticide residue levels in homes located near orchards, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 15:12, 847-856
  • 2017: Aleksandr B. Stefaniak, Ryan F. LeBouf, Jinghai Yi, Jason Ham, Timothy Nurkewicz, Diane E. Schwegler-Berry, Bean T. Chen, J. Raymond Wells, Matthew G. Duling, Robert B. Lawrence, Stephen B. Martin, Jr., Alyson R. Johnson, and M. Abbas Virji for "Characterization of Chemical Contaminants Generated by a Desktop Fused Deposition Modeling 3-Dimensional Printer," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
  • 2016: Patrick Steinle for "Characterization of Emissions from a Desktop 3D Printer and Indoor Measurements in Office Settings," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2016; 13:2, 121-132
  • 2015: Paloma I. Beamer, Kevin R. Plotkin, Charles P. Gerba, Laura Y. Sifuentes, David W. Koenig, and Kelly A. Reynolds for “Modeling of Human Viruses on Hands and Risk of Infection in an Office Workplace Using Micro-Activity Data,” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 12:4, 266-275
  • 2014: Kee-Hean Ong, Roger D. Lewis, Anupm Dixit, Maureen MacDonald, Mingan Yang & Zhegmin Qian for "Inactivation of Dust Mites, Dust Mite Allergen, and Mold from Carpet," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
  • 2013: John W. Martyny, Kate A. Serrano, Joshua W. Schaeffer & Mike V. Van Dyke, for "Potential Exposures Associated with Indoor Marijuana Growing Operations," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 2013, 10:11, 622-639
  • 2012: Lozier MJ, Curwin B, Nishioka MG & Sanderson W. for "Determinants of Atrazine Contamination in the Homes of Commercial Pesticide Applicators Across Time," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2012; 9(5):289-297
  • 2011: Pierce JS, Abelmann A, Spicer LJ, Adams RE, Glynn ME, Neier K, Finley BL, Gaffney SH. for "Characterization of Formaldehyde Exposure Resulting from the Use of Four Professional Hair Straightening Products," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2011; 8(11):686-99

AIHA IEQ Committee Best IEQ Paper Award Winners (1997-2010)

  • Gloria D. Coronado; William C. Griffith; Eric M. Vigoren; Elaine M. Faustman; and Beti Thompson. Where’s the Dust? Characterizing Locations of Azinphos-Methyl Residues in House and Vehicle Dust Among Farmworkers with Young Children. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2010; 7(12): 663 – 671
  • Franzblau A, Zwica L, Knutson K, Chen Q, Lee SY, Hong B, Adriaems P, Demond A, Garabrant D, Gillespie B, Lepkowski J, Luksemburg W, Maier M, and Towey T. An Investigation of Homes with High Concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, and/or Dioxin-Like PCBs in House Dust. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2009; 6(3):188-199
  • McKernan LT, Hein MJ, Wallingford KM, Burge H, and Herrick R. Assessing Total Fungal Concentrations on Commercial Passenger Aircraft Using Mixed-Effects Modeling. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2008; 5(1):48–58
  • Glazer CS, Martyny JW, Lee B, Sanchez TL, Sells TM, Newman LS, Murphy J, Heifets L, and Rose CS. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Aerosol Droplets and Bulk Water Samples from Therapy Pools and Hot Tubs. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2007; 4(11):831-40.
  • Shaughnessy, R and R. Sextro. What Is an Effective Air Cleaning Device? J Occup Environ Hyg. 2006; 3(4):169–181
  • Nicas, M., W.W. Nazaroff, and A. Hubbard. Toward understanding the risk of secondary airborne infection: Emission of respirable pathogens. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2005; 2(3):143-154
  • Mahooti‐Brooks, N, Storey, E, Yang, CS, Simcox, NJ, Turner, W, and Hodgson, M., Characterization of Mold and Moisture Indicators in the Home. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2004; 1(12):826-39
  • Samimi, B.S. and Ross, K. Extent of Fungal Growth on Fiberglass Duct Liners With and Without Biocides Under Challenging Environmental Conditions. App Occup Env Hyg. 2003; 18(3):193-199
  • Earnest, G.S. K.H. Dunn, R.M. Hall, et al. An Evaluation of an Engineering Control to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisonings of Individuals on and Around Houseboats. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 2002; 63(3):361-369
  • Weber, A. and E. Page. Renovation of Contaminated Building Materials at Facility Serving Pediatric Cancer Outpatients. App Occup Env Hyg. 2001; 16(1):2-31
  • Robbins, CA, Swenson, LJ, Nealley, ML, Kelman, BJ and Gots, RE. The Health Effects of Mycotoxins in Indoor Air: A Critical Review. App. Occup Env Hyg. 2000; 15(10):773-784
  • Krake, A.M., K.A. Worthington, K.M. Wallingford, and K.F. Martinez. Evaluation of Microbiological Contamination in a Museum. App Occup Env Hyg. 1999; 14(8):499-509
  • Lewis, RD, Breysse, P, Lees, PSJ, Diener-West, M, Hamilton, R, and Eggleston, P. Factors Affecting the Retention of Dust Mite Allergen on Carpet. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1998; 59(9):606-613
  • Brauer, M., J. Kostiuk and N. McNabb. Improved Ice Arena Air Quality with the Use of a Three-Way Catalytic Converter and Fuel Management System. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1997; 58(8):608-612.
Topics Exposure Assessment