The Newsletter of the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council
| FEBRUARY 2026 Mold in Rental Properties Bill to Become Law The Maine Indoor Air Quality Council receives many calls each week from members of the public looking for answers to their indoor air quality concerns. By far the #1 call the Council gets is from tenants with mold problems in their units. In fact, more than 150 mold in rental property calls per year are received by MIAQC. In 2017, the Council initiated a series of efforts to address this concern. We convened an interdisciplinary group that worked hard to create and promote guidance for landlords and tenants to use when mold and moisture problems occur in rental properties. We developed trainings for impacted groups on best practice strategies to both prevent and clean up mold. And we conducted an exhaustive legal research project to identify policy strategies that might improve Maine’s landscape. The culmination of all this work was passage of LD 1927: An Act to Add Mold to the Implied Warranty and Covenant of Habitability. The bill makes a very simple, yet critical change to Maine law by adding the following clause to Maine’s Warranty of Habitability: “It is a breach of the implied warranty of fitness for human habitation when a landlord offers for rent a dwelling unit in which there is a leaking event, chronic moisture or humidity conditions outside of the control of a tenant that result in the growth of mold, bacteria or other biological organisms.” This change means tenants will now have a legal pathway to seek remedies for mold and chronic moisture problems in their units. The law will take effect 90 days after the end of the current legislative session. The Council has already started to educate impacted groups on strategies to prevent mold in rental units, as well as strategies for proper clean-up and repair that protects the health of both workers and tenants. If your group or organization would like a free live or virtual training, please contact the office of the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council: 207-626-8115 or christy@maineindoorair.org. Mold in Buildings Conference November 5, 2026 Mark your calendars! On Thursday, November 5, 2026 in Augusta, Maine, the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council is hosting a one-day conference on Mold in Buildings. It’s been almost 25 years since MIAQC last hosted a full day event on this topic, and since then a lot has changed: new scientific studies, new tools and strategies, a changing climate, and ever-evolving construction practices for both health and energy-efficiency. We anticipate our audience will be inclusive of those who need to learn the essentials of mold growth in buildings, as well as the professionals who design, construct, manage and repair buildings of all types. Want to Present? The Board of Directors of the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council invites those interested in presenting at this event to submit a presentation proposal for review by the Conference Planning Committee. The deadline for application submission is April 1, 2026. We have suggested some possible topic categories, but you are welcome to create your own.Presentation Application Form Indoor Insanity 5K Recap The January 2026 Indoor Insanity 5K was an incredible success, bringing our community together for a great cause. Thank you to everyone who came out to run or walk the laps in support of radon abatement in low income Maine homes—your energy and enthusiasm made the event truly special. Despite the challenging outdoor weather, the atmosphere inside was full of fun, encouragement, and community spirit. We are grateful for your support in helping raise awareness and funds to create healthier, safer homes . Upcoming Events IAQ Club:Challenges and Opportunities for Indoor Air Quality in a World of Energy Efficiency and Climate ChangeDate: 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Forum Moderator: Jeffrey Siegel, Ph.D., University of Toronto, Toronto Location: Virtual Learn More and Register IAQ Club: Managing Indoor Air for Health: Powerful Medicine for People and Building Performance Date: 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Forum Moderator: Stephanie Taylor, M.D., M. Arch., Building4Health, Inc., Stowe, VT Location: Virtual Learn More and Register Interesting Stuff to Read and Watch Should We All be “House Burping?” New York Times The State of IAQ in 2025: New Challenges and Opportunities Forbes Business Council Changes to EPA PFAS Reporting Regulations US EPA IAQ Radio: Weekly on-line “radio” show on all things IAQ. Deep archive of past programs, too. Harvard Healthy Buildings (Harvard School of Public Health) Home measures against low air humidity which may alleviate health problems A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Recent mold growth found in an office building was traced to multiple window installation failures. Missing or improperly installed flashing, blocked weeps, and unsealed rough openings allowed water and outside air to enter the wall system and window frame, leading to moisture damage and mold growth. Aspergillus and Stachybotrys were identified on the deteriorated interior drywall, and negative building pressure likely pulled mold contaminants into occupied spaces. Photos courtesy of KG Anderson, Bath, ME Council Partners Copyright (C) 2026 Maine Indoor Air Quality Council. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Maine Indoor Air Quality Council PO Box 2438 Augusta, ME 04338-2438 |
