New State of the Air Report Highlights Persistent Pollution Challenges Across the U.S.

Indoor Air Quality Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	10/6/2026
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	New State of the Air Report Highlights Persistent Pollution Challenges Across the U.S.
Introduction	EMSL Analytical supports air quality assessments after American Lung Association report finds more than 152 million Americans exposed to unhealthy air pollution.
Cinnaminson, New Jersey, October 6, 2026 The American Lung Association’s recently released State of the Air 2026 report reveals that air pollution continues to affect millions of people across the United States, reinforcing the importance of air quality monitoring in communities, workplaces, schools, and homes. According to the report, 44% of Americans—approximately 152.3 million people—live in areas that received failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. Nearly half of all children in the nation live in counties with unhealthy air quality, and more than 7 million reside in areas that failed all three pollution measures evaluated in the report. While some particle pollution indicators improved modestly, ozone pollution worsened in many regions. Researchers cite extreme heat, drought, and wildfire smoke as key contributors to elevated pollution levels. The report also highlights the disproportionate impact of poor air quality on vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and individuals with chronic health conditions. The State of the Air 2026 report evaluates exposure to ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), pollutants linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health risks. Its findings underscore the ongoing need for air quality awareness, monitoring, and pollution reduction efforts nationwide. EMSL Analytical, Inc. supports these efforts through its network of laboratories across North America. EMSL provides indoor and outdoor air quality testing services for particulate matter, combustion byproducts, allergens, mold, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other environmental contaminants. The company also offers sampling supplies, monitoring instruments, and technical support for environmental professionals, industrial hygienists, consultants, facility managers, government agencies, and homeowners. “Understanding air quality conditions is an important step toward protecting public health,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Our laboratories are committed to providing reliable testing and monitoring solutions that help identify air quality concerns and support informed decision-making.” For more information about EMSL’s air quality testing resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email [email protected]. To access test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. About EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.