US Healthcare Providers Lack Knowledge to Address Indoor Air Pollution

The study, which polled over 900 clinicians across all 50 states, highlights a significant disconnect between provider intentions and their actual clinical practice. While nearly all surveyed professionals agree that assessing indoor air exposure is a vital component of patient care, only 25% report confidence in their knowledge regarding the health consequences of common indoor toxins. This knowledge gap often leaves patients with asthma, heart disease, and respiratory conditions without actionable advice.

Providers demonstrated familiarity with common irritants like pet dander and mold, but reported substantial blind spots regarding more severe threats, including radon—the second leading cause of lung cancer—as well as VOCs and residential combustion emissions. Time constraints and a lack of specialized training were cited as the primary barriers to incorporating air quality assessments into routine consultations. To bridge this divide, the American Lung Association is rolling out new clinical decision support tools and an ambassador program designed to integrate environmental health literacy into standard medical practice.