Dr. John McKeon at ASHRAE 2025: Shifting Indoor Air Quality Standards from Static to Strategic
An article on IAQ standards 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.
Dr. John McKeon delivering his talk on IAQ standards at ASHRAE 2025
Dr. John McKeon presents at ASHRAE 2025, challenging traditional IAQ standards and advocating for outcome-based approaches focused on health and wellbeing.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Date: June 25, 2025
Event: ASHRAE Annual Conference – Seminar 71: “Getting Unstuck: How We Can Move Beyond the ‘Healthy Trap’ for ASHRAE Standards and Metrics to Wellbeing”
Author: Airmid Healthgroup
Rethinking IAQ Standards: From Checklists to Outcomes
Dr. John McKeon’s speaker badge and materials for the 2025 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Phoenix
At this year’s ASHRAE Annual Conference, held in the sun-drenched Phoenix Convention Center, Airmid Healthgroup’s CMO and Medical Director of the iAIR Institute, Dr. John McKeon, took the stage for Seminar 71 to challenge conventional thinking around IAQ standards. His talk, provocatively titled “Getting Unstuck”, examined the limitations of prescriptive IAQ standards and made a compelling case for transitioning toward outcome-driven metrics centered on occupant wellbeing.
Healthy Debate on IAQ Standards
The talk sparked an energetic discussion on the definition of “healthy buildings.” Attendees including William Bahnfleth and Hoy Bohanon raised thoughtful questions from the floor about how we frame environmental health and whether ASHRAE should pursue a strict health definition at all. Dr. McKeon suggested that comfort, wellbeing, and performance might provide more useful, and measurable, anchors for Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) going forward.
Several case studies were presented where certification results, filtration advancements, and ventilation improvements led to demonstrable occupant health benefits. These examples illustrated how building performance can be evaluated using a more holistic, medically-informed framework of IAQ standards, one that reflects real-world conditions rather than just laboratory results.
Thought Leadership in Good Company
Dr. McKeon’s seminar was one of several standout sessions that week exploring the evolving role of health in the built environment. Among the most impactful was Dr. Stephanie Taylor’s talk, “Defining Health in the Built Environment: Is It Necessary for ASHRAE?”, an insightful exploration of medical and architectural perspectives that dovetailed perfectly with Airmid’s approach.
Dr. Stephanie Taylor and Dr. John McKeon following Seminar 68 at ASHRAE 2025, where Dr. Taylor delivered a thought-provoking talk on defining health in the built environment.
Sponsor board at ASHRAE 2025 recognizing key contributors Knauf North America, Trane
Also contributing to this shift in conversation were partners and friends of Airmid:
Knauf North America hosted a Tech Talk on June 24, highlighting the importance of formaldehyde-free insulation and their Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® product line—developed in partnership with Airmid.
Trane Technologies shared powerful insights on transitioning to hydronic heat pump systems as part of their mission to decarbonize and improve IAQ simultaneously.
- Knauf North America highlights its Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® insulation
- Knauf North America recognized as a Tech Talk sponsor at ASHRAE 2025
A Shared Vision: Designing for Life
This year’s conference was especially timely as ASHRAE welcomed its new president, William McQuade, who succeeded Dennis Knight. His presidential theme, “Healthy Buildings: Designing for Life,” could not be more aligned with Dr. McKeon’s message. McQuade’s emphasis on occupant wellbeing and integrated health-focused design marks a bold and encouraging shift in the industry, and one that Airmid Healthgroup fully supports.
Incoming ASHRAE President William McQuade is congratulated by outgoing President Dennis Knight during the official handover at the 2025 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Phoenix.
As ASHRAE Ireland noted in their own reflections on the week, Dr. McKeon’s leadership in panel discussions, technical committee meetings, and collaborative sessions demonstrated how IAQ standards are increasingly recognized as a foundational element of both public health and building performance.
Thank You
We’re grateful to ASHRAE for hosting another dynamic and forward-thinking Annual Conference. Special thanks to our partners and collaborators, including Knauf North America and Trane, for championing the connection between science, health, and building design.
Looking to validate your indoor air quality claims or improve the health performance of your product?
Reach out to Airmid today and learn how our testing services can support your innovation pipeline and ESG strategy.
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Dr. John McKeon, Medical director at Airmid, CEO of the iAIR Healthgroup and expert author on Aerobiology, infectious 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.
