ASHRAE 2026 conference materials, including ASHRAE Guideline 42-2023, the ASHRAE Journal and Dr John McKeon's speaker badge — Conference materials at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference including ASHRAE Guideline 42 2023 the ASHRAE Journal and Dr John McKeons speaker badge

Airmid Healthgroup’s contribution to healthier buildings reaches well beyond the laboratory, but rigorous air cleaner testing remains at the heart of what the company does. At the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Austin, Texas, held from 27 June to 1 July, Airmid was represented by Dr John McKeon across technical presentations, standards committees and international collaboration, ensuring that the company’s clients continue to benefit from the latest scientific knowledge and emerging best practice.

“For Airmid, participating in this work ensures that we remain at the forefront of emerging science and standards, enabling us to help our clients develop technologies that improve indoor environments and ultimately protect human health,” said Dr McKeon.

Air Cleaner Testing at the Centre of the Conversation

Left to right, Randy Cooper, Kathleen Owen, Gemma Kerr and Tobias Zimmer during the air cleaner testing sessions at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference — Randy Cooper Kathleen Owen Gemma Kerr and Tobias Zimmer at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Austin

Airmid’s strength has always been rigorous, repeatable measurement, and that air cleaner testing expertise was on show in Paper Session 4, Ventilation Effectiveness and Air Cleaning Technologies. Dr McKeon presented two peer-reviewed papers. The first, Advanced Air Purification for Indoor Environments: A Study on Nanoparticle Removal Efficiency (AU-26-C077), examined the capture of particles at the smallest and most demanding end of the size range.

Title slide of Dr John McKeon's air cleaner testing paper on measured bioaerosol removal performance at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference — Dr John McKeons paper What Works Best Measured Bioaerosol Removal Performance of Commercial Air Cleaners presented in Paper Session 4 at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference

The second, What Works Best? Measured Bioaerosol Removal Performance of Commercial Air Cleaners (AU-26-C017), presented measured performance data on the removal of biological aerosols by commercially available air cleaners, and was co-presented with Kathleen Owen and Dr Kishor Khankari of AnSight LLC.

For Airmid’s clients, this kind of measured evidence matters. As the field moves from describing indoor environments by environmental parameters alone towards demonstrable, health-relevant performance, manufacturers increasingly need air cleaner testing partners who can generate data that stands up to scientific and regulatory scrutiny.

Standards Work That Protects Client Interests

Participation in ASHRAE’s committees allows Airmid to stay close to the direction of international standards, and to bring that insight back to the clients who rely on it. Dr McKeon serves on the ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee and its Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee, chairs research within TG2.RAST, and is a member of the ASHRAE Center of Excellence for Indoor Environmental Quality. He also represented ASHRAE Ireland, as President, and the World Filtration Institute as an Ambassador.

Dr John McKeon at the ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee annual meeting, 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference — The ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee convenes for its annual meeting at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference with Dr John McKeon in attendance

This breadth of involvement means Airmid is engaged in the technical conversations that shape standards, not simply responding once they are published. For clients, the practical benefit is early visibility of emerging methods, and confidence that the air cleaner testing behind their claims reflects current international best practice.

Collaboration and Recognition

Dr John McKeon with Sarah Maston, Conor Murray and Andres Sepulveda at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference — Dr John McKeon with Andres Sepulveda incoming ASHRAE President Sarah Maston and Conor Murray at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference

The conference is as much about people as it is about papers. Bill Bahnfleth was recognised for his instrumental leadership in the development of ASHRAE Standard 241, and the President’s lunch marked a leadership transition, with outgoing President William McQuade handing over to incoming ASHRAE President Sarah Maston. The ASHRAE Center of Excellence for Indoor Environmental Quality also marked its own transition, with Wade Conlan moving to the role of ASHRAE Treasurer and Dr Marwa Zaatari becoming Chair.

Dr Marwa Zaatari and Wade Conlan on stage at the transfer of the ASHRAE CE-IEQ Chair at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference — Dr Marwa Zaatari and Wade Conlan mark the transfer of the Chair of the ASHRAE Center of Excellence for Indoor Environmental Quality at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference as Wade Conlan takes up the role of ASHRAE Treasurer

Dr McKeon attended Seminar 51, where Randy Cooper of AHAM chaired a presentation on measuring the reduction of chemical gases by consumer room air cleaners, a subject directly relevant to the measurement challenges that air cleaner testing addresses every day. It was good to see the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a partner of the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program, feature in the President’s plenary presentation.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America featured in the ASHRAE President's plenary at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference — The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America AAFA featured in the Presidents plenary at the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference

A Continuing Commitment to Air Cleaner Testing

Airmid’s presence in Austin reflects a wider commitment to advancing the science of healthy buildings through research, testing, international collaboration and standards development. By remaining active in this global community, Airmid ensures that its clients benefit not only from world-class air cleaner testing, but from a partner that helps shape the standards their technologies will be measured against.