CH-24-C093 - Awareness and Information Needs about Indoor Air Quality in the US—A National Survey

As decisions on IAQ in residential spaces are generally made at the individual level, EPA and CDC developed a survey on public knowledge and attitudes toward IAQ, ventilation, and filtration, and information needs, as shaped by the pandemic. METHODS. Respondents (n=1,011) were randomly sampled from a cross-sectional panel and asked to fill out a brief survey exploring perceptions of IAQ and awareness of improvement strategies. Responses were weighted to reflect the US population. An IAQ knowledge score was developed from the answers and demographic factors associated with knowledge were explored with regression analysis and random forest classification. RESULTS. Having clean air in their home is important for 86% of respondents, but 22% rated their home IAQ as less than good. Knowledge of strategies to improve IAQ was moderate among respondents (63% average accuracy), with limited understanding of the importance of ventilation (40% considered it a top IAQ improvement option). Steps to improve IAQ in homes were taken by 57% of respondents during the pandemic, of which 68% were specifically driven by COVID-19. Several inaccurate beliefs on strategy effectiveness were common, but did not displace effective actions. Almost 20% of respondents found it difficult to improve IAQ in their home, most commonly because of costs. Approximately 30% needed more information about improving IAQ, especially in multi-family homes. CONCLUSIONS: The survey identified several gaps in knowledge in the public that could be an important educational focus of public health authorities as well as the IAQ and HVAC industry. Such gaps include the importance of ventilation for IAQ and for pathogen control, selection guidance for HVAC filters, and selection and placement of portable air cleaners.