The U.S. Government Hosts National Summit Focused on Healthy Homes

Posted on October 02, 2008 by Pete Kosowski

ANN ARBOR, MI, September 22, 2008 – Four federal agencies recently convened in Baltimore, Maryland, to host the first national summit devoted to the healthy-home initiative.

"The healthy-home initiative has been growing for some time, but now the government is bringing together environmentalists, health advocates and builders to promote the construction and maintenance of healthier homes free of lead, chemicals, mold and moisture," said John Rotche, president of DUCTZ International, LLC, a Belfor company. "The Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. As a result of this meeting in Baltimore, improving indoor air quality is reaching more people at higher levels of our government."

The Environmental Protection Agency is developing a program—the Indoor Air Package—that when launched nationally next year will give homes a "seal of approval," if certain building techniques are used to protect against indoor air pollutants.

"We see the Indoor Air Package as a beneficial public-private partnership that among other things will educate and motivate consumers to have their HVAC system inspected and cleaned on a more regular basis," said Rotche. "This is good for home owners, for business owners serving this growing market need, and for our franchise owners across the country.

About DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals:
DUCTZ is the nation’s largest heating, ventilation and air conditioning restoration franchise business. There are more than 125 DUCTZ franchised territories across the country. Entrepreneur magazine ranks DUCTZ the number one franchise in its category, a top home-based business, and ranks it as the 13th top new franchise for 2008. DUCTZ has provided cleanup services during many public health crises including hurricanes Ike and Katrina; and has restored hygienic conditions to international cruise ships, schools and hospitals nationwide. DUCTZ is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association.

About BELFOR:
Belfor, headquartered in Birmingham, Michigan, is the premier provider of property recovery services in North America, and the world’s largest insurance restoration company with 3,350 employees in 160 locations across 27 countries.