Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 23 results

• What state or federal agencies are responsible for evaluating records from the PADOH cancer registry? Are all types of cancers considered in this evaluation [including rare and/or environmentally associated cancers]?

  A few important items to note regarding the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry:  PADOH’s Pennsylvania Cancer Registry is a statewide data system responsible for collecting information on all new cases of cancer diagnosed or treated in Pennsylvania. It is part of the National Program of Cancer Registries administered by the Centers for…

  • Last published: March 4, 2024

• Will an Ozone Generator protect me and my family from COVID-19?

  No, do not use ozone generators in occupied spaces. When used at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone applied to indoor air does not effectively remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological pollutants. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website for best practices to protect…

  • Last published: August 27, 2024

• Is there a Pennsylvania registry that tracks non-cancer diseases or immunological disorders?

  PADOH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services do not have a registry for multiple sclerosis (MS), MS-related diseases or immunologic disorders. Despite extensive research on the mechanisms of MS development and progress, the exact mechanism is not known and there are no definitive studies to show causation…

  • Last published: March 1, 2024

• Can air cleaning devices that use bipolar ionization, including portable air cleaners and in-duct air cleaners used in HVAC systems, protect me from COVID-19?

  Bipolar ionization (also called needlepoint bipolar ionization) is a technology that can be used in HVAC systems or portable air cleaners to generate positively and negatively charged particles. Provided manufacturers have data to demonstrate efficacy, manufacturers of these types of devices may market this technology to help remove viruses, including…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• Will running an evaporative cooler (sometimes known as a "swamp cooler") or whole-house fan help protect me and my family from COVID-19?

  Both evaporative coolers (or "swamp coolers") and whole-house fans can help protect people indoors from airborne transmission of COVID-19 because they increase ventilation with outside air to cool indoor spaces. Evaporative coolers are used in dry climates. They use water to provide cooling and increase relative humidity indoors. When operating…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• Where can professionals who manage school, office, and commercial buildings get information on ventilation and filtration to respond to COVID-19?

  Professionals who operate school, office, and commercial buildings should consult the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidance for information on ventilation and filtration to help reduce risks from the virus that causes COVID-19. In general, increasing ventilation and filtration is usually appropriate; however, due to the…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• Will an air cleaner or air purifier help protect me and my family from COVID-19 in my home?

  When used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a home or confined space. However, by itself, a portable air cleaner is not enough to protect people from COVID-19. When used along with other best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, operating…

  • Last published: August 27, 2024

• How can I increase ventilation at home to help protect my family from COVID-19?

  Ensuring proper ventilation with outside air is a standard best practice for improving indoor air quality. However, by itself, increasing ventilation is not enough to protect people from COVID-19. When used along with other best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, increasing ventilation can be part…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• Is the volume of renewable fuels a fixed number of gallons? How does this affect an obligated party's requirements?

  See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . The volume of renewable fuel used as the basis for calculating the percentage renewable fuel standards is fixed by CCA 211(o)(2)(B) for certain years (through 2012 for biomass-based diesel and 2022 for other renewable fuels), with volumes after…

  • Last published: August 2, 2024

• Can running the HVAC system in my home help protect me from COVID-19?

  By itself, running your HVAC system is not enough to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19. However, when used along with other best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, operating the HVAC system can be part of a plan to protect yourself and your family…

  • Last published: August 27, 2024

• What is Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)? What is HVAC UVGI? Can either be used to disinfect the air and help protect myself from COVID?

  A professionally designed system of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) that is well installed and maintained can effectively kill the virus that causes COVID-19 and help protect people from the disease indoors. Typically, UVGI systems are installed near a room ceiling (upper-room UVGI) or inside the HVAC system of a building…

  • Last published: December 5, 2024

• How do we know our drinking water has not been affected over the past 40+ years when the landfill was operating and after it closed since there were no regulations governing its operation or closure?

  The Norwood community is serviced by a public drinking water source. The public water supply must meet federal and state Safe Drinking Water Act Standards. Public water systems are required to share annual reports that describe what, if anything, is found in the water supply.

  • Last published: March 8, 2024

• Is ventilation important for indoor air quality when cleaning and/or sanitizing for COVID-19 indoors?

  When cleaning and disinfecting for COVID-19, ventilation is important. Using EPA-registered cleaning and disinfecting products according to their label instructions is the best way to ensure that any indoor air pollution risks are reduced while still maintaining the effectiveness of the disinfecting product. In particular, follow any label precautions that…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• What is a DIY air cleaner, and can it help protect homes from COVID-19?

  Do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners are indoor air cleaners that can be assembled from box fans and square HVAC (or furnace) filters. A variety of designs exist, using a single fan and one to five air filters. In its simplest form, a single filter is attached to the front or back…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• Can 2009 Cellulosic Biomass ethanol RINs (with a D code of 1) be used to satisfy an obligated party?s Cellulosic Biofuel and/or Advanced Biofuel RVO in 2010? Is there a 20% rollover cap on this type of RIN being used to satisfy the Cellulosic and/or Advan

  See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . 2009 cellulosic biomass ethanol RINs with a D code of 1 that are not used for compliance purposes in 2009 can be used to meet the cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel RVOs in 2010. The…

  • Last published: August 6, 2024