Indoor Health Care Month

CITY of BUFFALO Mayoral Proclamation for Indoor Health Care Month, September, 2005

WHEREAS, several industry, health group, community coalition and research sources in Buffalo and Western New York recognize that indoor air pollution causes sickness and respiratory disorders which are a serious and treatable health problem, affecting millions of homes across the country; and

WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Lung Association, American Heart Association, among other health and environmental guide groups, variably cite warnings that a high percentage of sickness can be contributed to indoor air pollution; and

WHEREAS, most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can damage their health, but many do not know that indoor air pollution can also cause harm. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. These levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because it is estimated that most people spend about 90% of their time indoors. Comparative risk studies performed by EPA and its Science Advisory Board has consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top four environmental risks to the public.

WHEREAS, the health care professional and health care provider essentially treat the physical patient, whereupon the patient is sent back into their home, wherein the very causal factors of illness originate, and these causal factors, e.g., polluted air, dust, dust mites, VOC¹s, pollution particulates, mold, gasses and odors are treatable factors; and WHEREAS, a growing industry evolved to treat Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), supported by scientific and medical research, product invention and service development, and which is an highly supported priority initiative of New York State Governor George Pataki¹s health and environment program; and

WHEREAS, right here in Western New York a collaborative ³mecca² of development and growth in this area has been achieved, garnering worldwide attention, unique from product invention and manufacturing, to the evolving industries that pioneer services, medical and university research development, and community coalition forces, thus creating a theme-unified work and education force, gaining national and international attention to Western New York for its helpful innovations; and

WHEREAS, there are dozens of innovative companies right here in Western New York who continually innovate and help to lead this field, and to mention directly some Western New York entities deserving citation of these advancements, they include the Buffalo-based Austin Air Systems, manufacturers of the Healthmate air purifier, cited as best-made product by the US Military in their largest purchase of said product category; and Buffalo-based Indoor Air Professionals, Inc., pioneers in in-home environmental service techniques that remediate mold and dust health factors; and to medical and university scientific research studies on environment and asthma here in Buffalo, performed by University of Buffalo¹s Center for Biosurfaces, as well as University of Buffalo¹s Dr. Llwebuga-Mukasa, M.D., studies which have attracted further research garnering international attention and other university teams coming to Buffalo including those from Harvard, Clarkson and McMasters; and WHEREAS, the future holds great promise for the advancement of treatment effects for healthier indoor environments, and Buffalo companies, coalitions, medical providers and researchers play a strong collaborative role in the innovations inherent in this Indoor Health Care industry; and

WHEREAS, it is from Buffalo that this collaborative group of forces focus on the trend to generate community discussion from the source of the health care provider industry, to initiate concern for the patient¹s home from the core initiation, education, and prescribed direction by the health care provider for the patient, adding to one¹s health care specialty the intentional adjunct bond of concern for Indoor Health Care; and

WHEREAS, Indoor Health Care is a growing concern, the very health care industry category of which, Indoor Health Care, and its base concept that ³it is the health care professional¹s role and duty to embrace knowledgeable concern for a patient¹s indoor health environment,²  was actually created and spawned from collaborative and recognized efforts right here in Buffalo and Western New York; and

WHEREAS, celebrating Western New York-based Indoor Health Care-related product manufacturers, service providers, research and community coalition forces, and saluting the health care providers who help individuals obtain in-home environmental health treatment, while educating our community about the benefits of healthier home environments; and

WHEREAS, September 2005 launches a new program with national reach, but founded in Buffalo, where advancements in this filed of health care have numerous examples of innovative ³firsts,²  that program being advanced nationally and accessible by visiting the education, products and services site: www.indoorhealthcare.com, which will network health care providers nationally to assist their patients in access to programs healthier indoor environments, and build on the theme of the importance of Indoor Health Care as a burgeoning health industry category; and

WHEREAS, to help achieve this goal, the City of Buffalo in the great State of New York, and Indoor Health Care Associates of Western New York, invite all residents of Buffalo, New York to participate in Indoor  Health Care  Month.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Anthony Massiello, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of Buffalo, New York, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2005 as

Indoor Health Care Month In Buffalo, New York, and call upon the people of  Buffalo, New York to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies supporting this year's theme,

"Join the Voices for Indoor Health Care: Healthier Homes for Healthier Lives,
Families, and Communities."

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.