HIP News

September 2006

Current Opportunities

The following HIP projects are looking for additional partners:

• Buyer’s Guide to Low-Emission Products and Services: Our Buyer’s Guides have high credibility because a balanced panel of experts from government, industry and NGO organizations jointly develops them. The Guides will also have a wide reach because they are being jointly promoted. This year, HIP is developing a Buyers’ Guide to Low-Emission Products and Services. Given sufficient funding, separate guides will be produced for professionals (architects, designers and purchasing agents) and consumers. As part of this project HIP will also publish a directory of HIP members (both individual and corporate) that provide low-emission products and services and related educational resources. The Roundtable meeting will take place near the Toronto airport in early February 2007. 
  
  This year we are offering four levels of participation:

o       HIP Member providing low-emission products and services and related educational resources: Includes listing in the directory. No charge above individual or corporate HIP membership for 2007.

o       Individual Participant: Includes participation at the discussion table in the Roundtable session, and a listing in the directory. $250 ($150 if a HIP member for 2007.)

o       Corporate Participant: As for individual participant PLUS a bolded listing in the directory, with detail about your products / services / resources; your organization’s name will be listed in related project promotion in HIP’s newsletters and at the round table; and you will be able to display information on your products / services / educational resources at the roundtable meeting. $2,000 ($1,900 if already an individual HIP member for 2007 and $1,000 if already a corporate HIP member for 2007.)

o       Sponsor: As for corporate participant PLUS: your organization’s name will be  listed in the Buyers’ Guide and press releases; you will be able to reproduce the Buyers’ Guide with your organization name bolded; and you can be a member of the project Advisory Committee. $5,000 ($4,900 if already an individual HIP member for 2007 and $4,000 if already a corporate HIP member for 2007)

For further details or to become involved contact Jay Kassirer (613) 224-3800; kassirer@healthyindoors.com.

• Healthy Living Magazine and Website: HIP’s Healthy Home Magazine is read by millions of Canadians who want to make healthier choices for their homes and families. The current issue is being distributed across Canada in the Globe and Mail and Green Living Magazine this month. The advertising deadline for our May 2007 edition is the beginning of April 2007.  For advertising and editorial information contact Joanne Bell (416) 360-0044x314, jbell@green-living.ca.

• Perspectives Series:  HIP is now looking to develop the next in this series of balanced viewpoints on controversial IEQ issues. If you would like to sponsor a Perspectives publication on a topic of concern to you, contact Jay Kassirer at (613) 224-3800 or kassirer@healthyindoors.com. You can download the last one from the home page of our website (half way down the right hand column.)

Fall Webinars Focus on Formaldehyde, Lighting, and Children’s Health

Keep current on indoor environment issues. Listen, learn and ask questions from the comfort of your office. Our popular Speakers’ series continues with the following webinars: 

• October 10, 2006: Health Canada Revises Residential Exposure Guidelines for Formaldehyde
  
  Health Canada recently revised its indoor air quality guideline for formaldehyde, based on the most recent scientific evidence. A short-term exposure limit has been set at 123 µg/m3 (0.1 ppm) in order to protect from irritation, and a long-term exposure limit has been set at 50 µg/m3 (.04 ppm) to prevent chronic respiratory symptoms.  This webinar will outline the revised guideline and its scientific basis, which includes epidemiologic, clinical, and toxicological studies. It will also discuss the impact on housing.
  
  Presenters: Nicolas Gilbert, Air Health Effects Division, Health Canada; and Ken Ruest, Policy and Research Division, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
  

• November 14, 2006:  News and Views about Lighting and Health
  
  A new understanding of how light influences people has excited many lighting designers and researchers. Some argue that new forms of interior lighting might improve the health and well being of people in everyday environments, and that updated lighting recommendations should have this aim. September 2006 sees the Second CIE (international) Expert Symposium on Lighting and Health occur in Ottawa. Based on the symposium presentations, this webinar will introduce you to the latest thinking on topics such as: non-visual photoreception of light, cancer risks of shift work, effects of dim and bright everyday environments on mood, and future directions for lighting practice.
  
  Presenter: Jennifer Veitch, National Research Council of Canada's Institute for Research in Construction
  
  

• December 12, 2006: Children’s Health and Indoor Environments

Emerging research suggests that indoor dust is an ongoing source of contaminants, particularly for children. Dust can contain pollutants tracked in from outside, indoor pesticides, lead from old paint and particles from consumer products. Find out more about dust and children, as well as other key children’s environmental health issues. You’ll also be introduced to new resources for service providers and parents with tips that promote “childproofing for environmental health”. 

Presenters: Loren Vanderlinden and Jill McDowell, Toronto Public Health

• Winter and Spring Webinars

•  January 9, 2007: Indoor / outdoor pollutant ratios

•  February 13, 2007: The Net Zero Energy Healthy Housing Initiative

• March 13, 2007: Health Canada revises residential exposure guideline for Radon

• April 17, 2007: Indoor air - an unidentified capital 

•  May 8, 2007: Web-enabled monitors for improved air quality and energy conservation

• June 12, 2007: Buyer's guide to low-emission products and services

The webinars are held from 12 noon to 1:00 PM, Eastern Time. Cost is $40 per webinar, which includes a web connection and a toll-free teleconference connection. There’s no limit on how many participants can use the same connection. 

Register

 
Buyer’s Guide to Home Air Filters

The wording for our Buyer’s Guide to Home Air Filters has now gone through final editing and approvals. We are currently translating the text and designing two formats of brochures based on it. Look for more details in our next newsletter.

HIP Round Table on Reference Points for the Development of a Residential Indoor Air Quality Training and Certification Program for HVAC Professionals

On June 22, 2006, HIP convened a Round Table of experts and authorities from industry and government to discuss and agree upon a list of the most suitable reference points that should inform a training and certification program for IAQ professionals working in the HVAC field. The Round table was organized in response to a request for assistance from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI).  At HRAI’s Annual Meeting in August 2005, a resolution was unanimously passed that HRAI, in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, should develop a training program that would lead to certification as an IAQ specialist. 

Buy Your 2006 HIP Membership Now at Half Price

With only four months remaining in our membership year, HIP memberships are now half price. Individual memberships now cost $50. Benefits of the half-year individual membership include:

•  A listing in our on-line members' directory,

•  Discounts at HIP events, and 

• Participation in two webinars at no additional charge (a $30 saving.)

Corporate memberships now cost $500. Benefits of the half-year individual membership include:

• Use of HIP’s corporate member logo and the ability to say  "A proud member of the Healthy Indoors Partnership" on your promotional materials,

• Discounts at HIP events, and 

• Two individual memberships.

Register/ pay 

March 2006

Current Opportunities

The following HIP projects are looking for additional partners:

•  Healthy Living Magazine and Website: This spring, our Healthy Home Magazine will be carried by the Globe and Mail across Canada, La Presse in Quebec, and in Green Living Magazine, reaching 2.8 million Canadians.  The magazine is now available on-line as well – at www.healthyhomemagazine.ca .
  
  This consumer-oriented publication educates and informs readers about improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency while reducing the use of toxic substances, to protect the health of their families and the earth. It also showcases related products and services in a positive, solutions-oriented context.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reach millions of Canadian consumers who want to make healthy choices for their homes and families. You’ll also be contributing to HIP’s consumer outreach efforts. To inquire about editorial and advertising, contact Laurie Simmonds at 416-360-0044 x 350 or lsimmonds@green-living.ca.

•  Perspectives Series:  HIP is now looking to develop the next in this series of balanced viewpoints on controversial IEQ issues. If you would like to sponsor a Perspectives publication on a topic of concern to you, contact Jay Kassirer at (613) 224-3800 or kassirer@healthyindoors.com. You can download the last one from the front page of our website (half way down the right hand column.)
  
  

•  Speakers’ Series:  We are looking for HIP members (individual or corporate) who would like to present a talk this coming fall or winter (see details immediately below for this spring’s lineup.)
  

Next Webinars Focus on Scents in the Workplace, Predicting Emissions, and Marijuana Grow Ops 

Our popular Speakers’ series continues with the following webinars:

• April 11: Scents in the Workplace.  Do you field complaints about the use of perfumes, hair sprays, deodorants, and other scents in workplaces? Want to get up-to-date facts and/or ask questions about related research and outreach programs? Join Nancy Bradshaw, from the Environmental Health Clinic at Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Centre. Tuesday April 11 at 12 noon, Eastern Daylight Time.

• May 9: NRC's New Indoor Air Quality Emission Simulation Tool.  Would you like to be able to better predict indoor air concentrations of chemicals coming from building materials and furnishings? This presentation introduces the National Research Council’s newly developed software (IA-QUEST) that does just that. What can it do? Who should use it? How is it used? What are its strengths and weaknesses?  Join a staff member from NRC’s Institute for Research in Construction and find out. Tuesday May 9, 12 noon  Eastern Daylight Time.

•  June 13: After the Bust: Rehabilitating Homes used for Marijuana Grow Ops and / or Clandestine Drug Labs. The media has brought to our attention the increasing number of homes and commercial real estate that have been used for marijuana grow operations or clandestine drug labs.  There is a stigma attached to these homes; they are considered completely mouldy or chemical laced and destroyed.  This webinar will discuss what happens to these homes from an indoor air quality perspective after the police have finished their work. Presented by Michael Glassco of Theodor Sterling, who recently delivered our widely praised webinar on mould inspection and remediation strategies. Tuesday June 13, 12 noon Eastern Daylight Time.

The one-hour webinars in our Speakers’ Series cover a range of IEQ issues. Participants see PowerPoint presentations and other visuals using their web browsers and without having to leave their desks. They hear the presentations, ask questions and make comments by teleconference. They cost $30 each and HIP membership includes four webinars a calendar year (a $20 saving.) To register, go to www.healthyindoors.com/english/resources/Webinars/Registration.HTM  

Healthy Homes In Quebec And On The Web 

Our Healthy Home Magazine is expanding distribution to La Presse in Quebec, and is now available on-line as well – at www.healthyhomemagazine.ca . 

Consensus Buyers’ Guide on Residential Air Filter 

In February 2006, HIP convened a roundtable of government, NGO and industry stakeholders to develop a Consensus Buyers’ Guide on Residential Air Filters. We are currently designing the guide, based on the consensus points achieved.  Look for more details in our next newsletter.

December 2005

Current Opportunities

The following HIP projects are looking for additional partners:

• Roundtables:  To develop consensus positions and move issues forward, HIP is bringing together key industry, academic, government and NGO experts in two separate roundtable meetings this program year. Our main round table this year will focus on the questions consumers face when assessing the utility of and comparing residential air filters and ‘air purifiers’. The resulting points of consensus will form the basis for a jointly distributed PDF publication targeted at consumers.  We will also host a smaller roundtable of organizations involved in researching levels and/or public perceptions of indoor contaminants in Canada. Sponsorship inquiries and suggestions for organizations to be invited should be directed to Jay Kassirer at (613) 224-3800 or kassirer@healthyindoors.com.

• Newspaper / Magazine Inserts: This spring, a glossy magazine edition of our popular newspaper insert will be carried by the Globe and Mail across Canada as well as Green Living Magazine, reaching 2.75 million Canadians.  Negotiations to produce a French version are underway.  The magazine educates and informs readers on improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency while reducing the use of toxic substances, to protect the health of their families and the earth.  Editorial and advertising inquiries should be directed to Laurie Simmonds at 416-360-0044 x 350 or lsimmonds@green-living.ca.  View past issues  

• Perspectives Series: With the launch of our first Perspectives publication (see details below) HIP is now looking to develop the next in this series of balanced viewpoints on controversial IEQ issues. If you would like to sponsor a Perspectives publication on a topic of concern to you, contact Jay Kassirer at (613) 224-3800 or kassirer@healthyindoors.com.

• Speakers’ Series: HIP is launching a Speakers’ Series of IE webinars in January 2006 (details below). While our slate of speakers is filled through April, we are looking for HIP members (individual or corporate) who would like to present talks in May, June September and October. Contact Jay Kassirer at (613) 224-3800 or kassirer@healthyindoors.com.

HIP Newsletter and Website Now Bilingual 

In keeping with our role as a national organization, HIP’s newsletter and website are now available in both official languages.

 HIP Launches Speakers’ Series

In January 2006, HIP is launching a series of one-hour webinars covering a range of IEQ issues. Participants will see PowerPoint presentations and other visuals using their web browsers and without having to leave their desks. They will hear the presentations, ask questions and make comments by teleconference. These webinars are organized by HIP’s  Education and Outreach Committee on the second Tuesday of each month . They are free to the first fifteen HIP members who reserve ahead for each session; otherwise the webinars will cost $25.00 per connection.  Our first ones are as follows: 

·        January 10, 2006, 12 noon EST: Mould Assessment and Reduction Strategies (Presentation with Q&A; Elia Sterling, Theodor Sterling and Associated, Chair of HIP’s Guidelines and Best Practices Committee)

·        February 10, 2006, 12 noon EST: Promoting Solutions for Healthier Indoors Environments (Summary of our recent research with Q&A; Jay Kassirer, Executive Director, Healthy Indoors Partnership)

·        March: Selected presentation(s) on residential air filters with Q&A (from our round table session)

·        April: Scents in the Workplace: Research and Outreach (Nancy Bradshaw; Womens College Environmental Health Clinic

·        May: To be determined

·        June: To be determined 

Click here for registration

Perspective Series Starts with Mold: What Building Owners and Managers Need to Know and Do 

HIP’s Perspectives Series provides balanced viewpoints on emerging and/or controversial IEQ issues. The first publication in this series is on mold issues faced by building owners and managers. You can download it from our website , from the Building Owners and Managers’ Association  and from the City of Toronto.    
  

Promoting Solutions For Healthier Indoor Environments

The Indoor Environment Industry is a fast growing, billion dollar industry in Canada, according to HIP’s recent research. The research included expert interviews and a survey of 1,000 adult Canadians. The survey found that one third of adult Canadians believe that the air quality in their homes affects their health, but few understand the associated health risks and what they can do about them. There is particular confusion about air filters: consumers are concerned about how effective they are and what to look for when buying them.  Abridged version of the report

HIP Partners with Green Living Magazine for Newspaper Inserts

HIP has partnered with Green Living Magazine to produce a glossy magazine version of our Healthy Home insert, which is published in the spring and fall each year. The magazine will be inserted into the Globe and Mail across Canada as well as Green Living Magazine, reaching 2.75 million Canadians.  Negotiations to produce a French version are underway.  Green Living Magazine, Canada's only national environmental magazine, is produced by Key Publishers who have launched, run or owned many of the most successful periodicals in Canada, including Toronto Life, Where Magazines, Canadian Geographic, Wedding Bells, Fashion Magazine and Canadian Business. The Healthy Home Magazine educates and informs readers on improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency while reducing the use of toxic substances, to protect the health of their families and the earth. View past issues  

December 2004

Current Opportunities

The following HIP projects are looking for additional partners:

• Promoting Solutions for Healthier Indoor Environments  HIP is now starting its study of Canada's indoor environment industry and markets. While the study will cover a range of source reduction, ventilation and filtration markets, it will also include a random survey of 1,000 Canadian adults, specifically focused on attitudes, purchasing habits, and use patterns related to ventilation and air purifiers. The study will lead to a conference next year on related communication issues and best practices for industry, government and NGO's. Contact either Ian Morton at 416-922- 9038 ext. 26, or Jay Kassirer at 613-224-3800, kassirer@healthyindoors.com

• Newspaper Insert  HIP's fourth newspaper insert, focused on creating and maintaining healthier indoor environments in Canada, will be distributed by the Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun and Montreal Gazette in the spring of 2005. For more information on advertising rates and related details contact Ian Morton - 416-922- 9038 ext. 26. 

• Communications Road Map  HIP is preparing for a prioritization study and gap analysis of indoor environment communications in Canada (including both education / training and outreach.) Partners who join now can help shape the study. Contact Jay Kassirer at 613-224-3800 or kassirer@healthyindoors.com

CIHR Consults HIP; $5 Million for Researching IE and Children’s Lungs 

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health and the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity, on behalf of the multi-institute Strategic Initiative in Health and Environment, are launching a request for applications for research on the relationships between pulmonary diseases, indoor environments, children's health and lung immune function. The CIHR Institutes plan to commit a minimum of $1 million annually to this initiative for a 3 to 5 year period, beginning in late 2005. HIP represented its members’ interests at a planning session in October and will participate in a second one in the new year.

HIP Helps City of Toronto

HIP is currently helping the City of Toronto to identify potential
health concerns from indoor contaminants, review related education and
outreach best practices, and explore promising mitigation approaches.
Federal government, NGO and private industry experts are all
contributing their perspectives through a multi-sectoral advisory
committee.

Planning HIP’s Future

As HIP completes its second year of operation, we are preparing for a strategic planning session that will help us learn from our successes and failures, focus our path forward and streamline our operations. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them by January 10 to: Craig Jobber at 877-318-3588 or cjobber@natech.ca.

Education and Outreach Committee Launched

We have been covering who is on HIP's various committees in our newsletters, one committee per newsletter. This time the spotlight is on our most recently formed committee – the Education and Outreach Committee, which has now had one meeting. Members include: Jay Kassirer (Chair) (Cullbridge Marketing and Communications), Melva Bellefountaine – Asthma Society of Canada, Nancy Bradshaw - Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Tonya Bruin – Health Canada, Lorraine Fung – City of Toronto Public Health, Roger Grochmal  – Atlas Air; Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Institute of Canada , and Anita Nicolic - City of Hamilton.

Over the coming two years, the Committee will determine priority needs, inventory existing products, courses and programs, explore key gaps, and develop a roadmap forward. This process will build on HIP’s current work for the City of Toronto, and our upcoming project on Promoting Solutions for Healthier Indoor Environments. In addition, the Committee is responsible for HIP’s roles in launching Tools for Schools.

Guidelines and Best Practices Committee Develops Inventory on Mould and Moisture

HIP’s Guidelines and Best Practices Committee has developed an inventory of regulations, standards and guidelines regarding mould and moisture. The inventory is now being annotated in preparation for publication in English and French. Next steps involve a gap analysis.

Strategic Research Committee Takes Next Steps from Mould Workshop

HIP’s Strategic Research Committee is currently working on four priorities that emerged from its mould consultation:

1. Developing a proposal for a virtual center of excellence on mould and health effects,
2. Development of an accreditation / certification system for mould remediation professionals,
3. Dissemination of existing information on mould, and
4. Remediation / protocols R&D roadmap on mould.

Summer 2004

Current Opportunities

The following HIP projects are looking for additional partners:

• Tools For Schools  If you would like to help promote or implement the Canadian version of Tools For Schools, contact Craig Jobber at 877-318-3588 or cjobber@natech.ca. 

• Promoting Solutions for Healthier Indoor Environments  HIP is currently organizing a study and conference on Canada's indoor environment industries and key North American markets. The conference will also look at related communication issues and best practices for industry, government and NGO's. Partners who join now can help shape the study. Contact either Ian Morton at 416-922- 9038 ext. 26, or Jay Kassirer at 613-224-3800, kassirer@healthyindoors.com

• Newspaper Insert  HIP's third newspaper insert, focused on creating and maintaining healthier indoor environments in Canada, will be distributed by the Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun and Montreal Gazette in early October. For more information on advertising rates and related details contact Ian Morton - 416-922- 9038 ext. 26. 

• Communications Road Map  HIP is preparing for a prioritization study and gap analysis of indoor environment communications in Canada (including both education / training and outreach.) Partners who join now can help shape the study. Contact Jay Kassirer at 613-224-3800 or kassirer@healthyindoors.com

Mould Health Effects, Prevention and Control - Montreal Workshop Proceedings and Presentations Now On-Line

HIP's Research Committee convened a workshop in Montreal on November 23-24 2003, to discuss the state of knowledge and research needs on two aspects of mould in the indoor environment: Health Effects of Mould and Prevention and Control of Mould. Four common threads were found amongst health and building interests:

• Reliability of information on indoor mould contamination - much information is available to specialists and to the public. However, in many cases, it is difficult to assess the reliability of the information. 

• Lack of official thresholds for safe mould exposure - absolute quantitative thresholds would be useful but may never exist. On the other hand, participants felt that current assessment protocols are frequently incomplete and interpretation criteria often subjective.

• Group of experts to evaluate information documents and provide guidelines - this reputable group would draw up drafts of guidelines, gather various existing protocols and validate protocols into best practice guides, following broad consultation. Health and Prevention and Control issues - establishing a rigorous and impartial accreditation process for all practitioners, be it inspectors, assessors, laboratories or remediators; and proper training and proper protocols for assessment and repair.

Next steps for the Research Committee include developing an R&D Roadmap and engaging partnerships on key outcomes from the workshop.

The full report and presentation slides can be downloaded from our website. They identify particular gaps and challenges needing attention. We ask that you review the recommendations in the report with an eye to finding the places where your organization is playing or would like to play a leadership role, then work with us and our partners to move the agenda forward in your particular areas of interest and influence.

New Committee Promotes Best Practices and Guidelines 

We will be covering who is on HIP's various committees in our newsletters, one committee per newsletter. This time the spotlight is on our newly formed Guidelines and Best Practices Committee.

Members include: Elia Sterling (Chair) (Theodor D. Sterling and Associates Ltd.) Troy Anderson (Fosters) Sylvain Blais (Natural Resources Canada) Karen Bodirsky (FAAC) Daniel Forest (Venmar Ventilation) Ross Johnson (City of Saskatoon) Eduardo Jovel Ph.D. (University of British Columbia) Tang Lee (University of Calgary) Bob Magee (National Research Council) David Miller Ph.D. (Carleton University) Tedd Nathanson (Public Works and Government Services Canada) Bhawani Pathak (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety) Craig Patterson P. Eng.(Vel Engineering) James Robar Ph.D. (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) Rob Robinson (Stantec) Jiri Skopec(Green Globes) David Vokey (Detec) Mark Von Schelwitz (NRFA) Erin Wolski (Association of First Nations)

Next steps for the Committee are to: 

• Conduct a review and inventory of relevant codes, standards, guidelines and best practices documents and identify gaps requiring the development of Best Practices and Guidelines.

• Identify stakeholder groups and cognizant authorities that HIP can work with to develop Best Practices and Guidelines.

• Establish Working Groups to begin the development of Best Practices and Guidelines for which a need has been identified e.g. Mould and Moisture Management for buildings; Tools for Homes (building on Tools for Schools and CMHC residential research); Ventilation for hospitality and public spaces; IAQ for Green Buildings (Providing Guidance for documentation required to meet the various rating systems gaining acceptance nationally.) 

Marketing and Outreach Committee Splits in Two 

HIP's Marketing, Communications and Outreach Committee has split into two committees working closely together: 

The Marketing Committee, chaired by Ian Morton of the Summerhill Group, will continue to develop and implement projects that raise the profile of the organization, generate revenue and increase the market awareness on the importance of healthy indoor environments in Canada. This year it will focus on expanding circulation of the popular Healthy Homes newspaper insert, and on Promoting Solutions for Healthier Indoor Environments. 

The new Education and Outreach Committee, chaired by Jay Kassirer of Cullbridge Marketing and Communications, creates healthier indoor environments in Canada by educating both consumers and professionals about priority issues, guidelines and best practices, and by engaging them to take action in their own spheres of influence. The Committee is currently focused on (i) promoting the results of HIP's mould consultation, and Tools for Schools in Canada, and (ii) preparing for a prioritization study and gap analysis (road map) for indoor environment communications and training in Canada.

Winter / Spring 2004

Thanks for the Warm Reception

 We are grateful for the warm reception the HIP has received during our launch over the past three months. We decided to focus our promotion this year on building and health professionals and their trade media, as we wanted them to know about us before their clients / patients started asking them questions about us.  We have started reaching out though conferences, trade shows and the trade media.  Just in the last three months, we co-sponsored, along with the AWMA an  “International Conference on Indoor Air Quality / Healthy Indoor Environments”, and had a booth and seminar at PM Expo. We’ve been covered by a dozen magazines targeting consulting engineers, builders, facility / property managers and designers, hoteliers, and health and safety staff. More articles are in the works. Thank you.  If your constituents don’t already know about us, please pass on the news. You can get details for articles or announcements at http://www.healthyindoors.com/english/pressroom/questionsanswered.htm

To balance this year’s focus on professionals and the trade media, we carried out one communication project with a broader audience in mind. The result was a much-acclaimed insert in the Toronto Star featuring the HIP and articles on indoor environments. Potential partners in a number of other cities have asked to be included and to make this an annual event. We are also starting to receive an increasing number of inquiries from the public media and from individuals wanting to know how to investigate and resolve possible problems with indoor environments. In order to handle these in an efficient manner, and to make our responses more broadly available, we have created a section that answers these questions, within the Resources section of our website. 

HIP Sets Priorities for the Coming Year

At its December meeting, the HIP Board approved the priorities for the coming year, which include:

• Translation into French (web site, member brochure, newsletters, and the Mould Consultation reports are priorities)

• Development of a business plan for and national roll-out of the Tools for Schools program, in collaboration with Health Canada, participating NGOs and businesses

• A variety of education and outreach activities including a Healthy Homes Insert with even broader reach, a home retrofit contest, a market study and stakeholder planning process, and five conferences:

• Buildex - Vancouver (February 25, 2004)
• Tools for Schools (TBD)
• Facility Management Expo - Toronto (April 5 and 6, 2004)
• Joint conference with AWMA (Halifax, September, 2004)
• PM Expo – Toronto (December, 2004)

To find out more on these or other events check out Upcoming Events.