The ASHRAE 2026 Annual Conference brought the global healthy buildings community together in Austin, Texas, from 27 June to 1 July, and the iAIR Institute was closely engaged in the scientific and standards discussions that increasingly define the field. Represented by Dr John McKeon, the Institute contributed across research, technical committees and international standards development, reinforcing its role as a platform that both generates scientific evidence and helps shape the research priorities guiding healthier buildings worldwide.
“The ASHRAE Annual Conference is much more than a technical conference,” said Dr McKeon. “It is where researchers, engineers and industry leaders come together to shape the future of healthier buildings through science, collaboration and
international standards.”
Two papers on air cleaner performance
Dr McKeon presented two peer-reviewed papers at ASHRAE 2026 within Paper Session 4, Ventilation Effectiveness and Air Cleaning Technologies. The first, Advanced Air Purification for Indoor Environments: A Study on Nanoparticle Removal Efficiency (AU-26-C077), examined how effectively air cleaning technologies capture particles at the smallest and most challenging end of the size range. The second, What Works Best? Measured Bioaerosol Removal Performance of Commercial Air Cleaners (AU-26-C017), presented measured 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.
Both papers reflected a theme that ran through the week: a shift away from assessing indoor environments by environmental parameters alone and towards measured, evidence-based performance linked to health outcomes. That direction of travel, from emerging topic to mainstream engineering discipline, was evident across the technical programme.
Committee and standards leadership at ASHRAE 2026
Away from the podium, Dr McKeon took part in the committee and standards work that underpins ASHRAE’s global influence. He serves on the ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee (EHC) 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, where he serves as an Ambassador.
The Environmental Health Committee recognised several of its members over the course of the meeting. Linda Lee was acknowledged for her work on ASHRAE’s infection control resource, and tribute was paid to Max Sherman for his stewardship of the committee, with Lisa Ng welcomed as she takes on the role. The Center of Excellence for Indoor Environmental Quality also marked a leadership transition, with Wade Conlan stepping aside as he takes up the position of ASHRAE Treasurer and Dr Marwa Zaatari becoming Chair. Dr McKeon was glad to meet Jason Hartke of the International WELL Building Institute, a fellow member of the Center of Excellence.
Collaboration across the field at ASHRAE 2026
The conference underlined how far the discipline has matured through collaboration between engineers, physicians, microbiologists and public health professionals. Bill Bahnfleth was recognised for his instrumental leadership in the development of ASHRAE Standard 241. The President’s lunch marked a moment of transition, as outgoing President William McQuade handed over to incoming ASHRAE President Sarah Maston.
The Institute was pleased 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, a reflection of the growing prominence of indoor air quality in public health. Dr McKeon also attended Seminar 51, where Randy Cooper of AHAM chaired a presentation on measuring the reduction of chemical gases by consumer room air cleaners, an area closely aligned with the Institute’s own research interest in robust, repeatable measurement of air cleaner performance.
Looking ahead
International standards are evolving quickly to address resilience, indoor air quality and occupant health, and the iAIR Institute is helping to contribute to that evolution. Through research, technical collaboration and active participation in standards development, the Institute remains committed to advancing the science that turns healthier indoor environments from an aspiration into measurable practice.