By Dr. John McKeon, Medical director at Airmid and expert author on Aerobiology, infections aerosols and indoor air. Dr McKeon is an Ambassador of the World Filtration Institute, an accredited educator for the American Institute of Architects and a member of the Environmental Health Committee of ASHRAE.
Attending the ASHRAE International Winter Conference was a fantastic opportunity to engage with industry leaders and discuss the latest advancements in indoor air quality (IAQ), airborne pathogen control, and building health technologies
As a member of the ASHRAE Ireland Chapter, it was great to connect with fellow members, including Chairperson Edith Blennerhasset, as well as Howard Neville and Conor Murray.
Howard Neville, Dr. John McKeon, Edith Blennerhasset and Conor Murray
Conor and I also serve on the ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee, where we focus on developing standards and research initiatives to improve indoor environments.
ASHRAE Ireland Chapter
The ASHRAE Ireland Chapter plays a critical role in supporting Ireland’s booming cleantech, biotech, and semiconductor industries, where precise environmental controls are essential for both human health and manufacturing quality. As part of Airmid Healthgroup, which specializes in aerobiology and infectious aerosol research, all of which is of key importance for scientific innovation in IAQ solutions.
A key highlight of the conference was the progress made by the ASHRAE 241 Committee, which has now completed the ASHRAE 241 standard for controlling airborne pathogens, and it has officially moved forward to the public review process.
The standard is highly relevant to the aerobiology chamber testing facility as well as allergen exposure chambers that airmid healthgroup specializes in. Validations of technologies in relation to ASHRAE 241 requires these specialist facilities.
ASHRAE Ireland at Airmid healthgroup in 2024
The conference also allowed an opportunity to catch up with past presidents and distinguished lectures who spoke at airmid healthgroup in 2024. It was also an opportunity to catch up with Demetrius Charalambopoulos, who was organizing the wonderful conference on the intersection between energy and health in buildings where members of the airmid healthgroup team presented key arrow biology data.
- Anastasios Argyris , Dr. Yiannis Kontoulis, Dr. Angela Southey, Dave Morrissey
Conor Murray, Wei Sun, Vincent Sakraida, Don Colliver, Dr. John McKeon, Howard Neville
It was a privilege to represent Ireland’s growing influence in building science and air quality research on a global stage.
I’m looking forward to continuing these collaborations and driving forward new initiatives that support healthier indoor environments worldwide.
Key Words:
ASHRAE Winter Conference, ASHRAE Ireland Chapter, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Airborne Pathogen Control, Building Health Technologies, Environmental Health Committee, ASHRAE 241 Standard, Aerobiology, Allergen Exposure Chambers, Airmid Healthgroup, Cleantech Industry, Biotech Industry, Semiconductor Industry, Scientific Innovation, Energy and Health in Buildings, Global Collaboration, Building Science, Public Review Process, Healthier Indoor Environments
Airmid Healthgroup is a leading biomedical contract research organization specializing in aerobiology and indoor air quality. We assist global companies like Fellowes, in developing, innovating, and validating products aimed at enhancing indoor environments. Our state-of-the-art laboratories, including climate-controlled environmental chambers, enable precise testing of airborne pollutants, allergens, viruses, and bacteria. With ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited allergen and virology labs, we also provide GLP based projects with reliable data for health-based marketing claims. Our multidisciplinary team of scientists and health experts is dedicated to advancing public health by minimizing exposure to indoor air pollutants.
