Allergy & Asthma Network Opposes EPA Repeal of the Endangerment Finding
Published: February 13, 2026
FAIRFAX, VA, FEB. 13, 2026 – Allergy & Asthma Network issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final decision on Feb. 12 to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding:
Allergy & Asthma Network strongly opposes the EPA’s decision to implement final repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding. “This action dismantles the scientific and legal foundation for regulating greenhouse gas emissions, a move that directly threatens the health of the more than 100 million Americans living with asthma, allergies, and related conditions,” Lynda Mitchell, CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network, says.
By overturning this finding, the EPA is ignoring decades of scientific consensus, public engagement, and a cornerstone of public health protections. The decision prioritizes polluters over the health and well-being of our most vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and those in communities that are underserved.
“Repealing the Endangerment Finding is a massive setback for public health and a direct contradiction of the EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment,” Mitchell says. “Climate change and the environmental impacts resulting from it are directly related to public health. Patients are already feeling the brunt of environmental health hazards and worsened symptoms through more intense wildfires and extreme weather, which can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks and respiratory distress.”
The repeal also paves the way for the EPA’s recent decision to forgo calculating the health and financial benefits of reducing air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter and ozone. These calculations place the value of the reductions in each ton of pollution, providing insights into the scope of health benefits resulting from these clean air rules. If these standards are dismantled, the result will be an increase in air pollution that causes preventable respiratory illnesses and premature deaths. This decision disproportionately harms those living near major highways and urban centers, where air quality is already a critical concern.
The recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 included provisions calling for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to maintain an updated assessment of the national economic burden of asthma. This includes data on prevalence, costs, absenteeism, and mortality. The EPA’s recent decisions, both to repeal the Endangerment Finding and to halt efforts to calculate the benefits posed from reducing air pollutants, directly contradict these regulatory goals.
Allergy & Asthma Network calls on EPA and CDC to move in lockstep and align their priorities. We hope the EPA realizes the value of maintaining these standards for the betterment of public health, as these dynamics are not mutually exclusive. We welcome public engagement opportunities with the EPA and will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize clean air and the health of our communities.
Allergy & Asthma Network remains committed to defending the right to breathe clean air. We urge the Administration to reconsider this repeal and uphold the 2009 air quality standards. Furthermore, we call on Congress to pass clear, long-term legislation that ensures our air remains safe for all Americans.
About Allergy & Asthma Network
Founded in 1985, Allergy & Asthma Network is the leading nonprofit outreach, education, advocacy and research organization for people living with asthma, allergies and related conditions. Our mission is simple yet profound: to advance patient-centered research and advocate for better outcomes, access to care, education, and treatments that lead to improved health and quality of life. We specialize in making medically accurate information understandable to all, promote evidence-based care, and foster collaboration among patients, clinicians, researchers, advocates and policymakers. Learn more at AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org.
