The Intersection of Health and the Built Environment: A Conversation with John McKeon
In this week's episode of Air Quality Matters, I had the privilege of sitting down with John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Limited and Principal at the iAIR Institute. John’s unique journey—from working as an emergency room doctor in Dublin to founding an international standards and certification body—offers a fascinating perspective on the links between human health and the built environment.
From Reactive to Proactive: A Medical Journey into Healthy Spaces
John’s interest in indoor air quality was sparked during his time as a clinician treating asthma and allergy patients. He often found himself addressing the downstream effects of poor indoor environments through medication. Recognizing the limitations of this reactive approach, he shifted focus to preventive strategies—empowering patients to control their environments and avoid triggers.
This shift led John to found Allergy Standards, an organization that tests and certifies products to ensure they are asthma- and allergy-friendly. Over time, this mission expanded to include broader built environment considerations, bridging gaps between healthcare, construction, and design sectors. As John explained, “If we’re serious about tackling health outcomes, we must look at the environments people live, work, and play in—not just treat the symptoms.”
The Built Environment as a Public Health Tool
A central theme in our discussion was the potential of the built environment to serve as a proactive health intervention. Buildings are often designed with energy efficiency and cost in mind, yet human health outcomes are rarely considered as primary metrics. John highlighted a critical opportunity: “Why do we have buildings if not for people? The real measure of a building’s success should be the health and well-being of its occupants.”
We explored examples where retrofitting for energy efficiency inadvertently worsened indoor air quality, leading to mould growth and poor ventilation. These unintended consequences underline the need for a more holistic approach—one that integrates expertise from doctors, engineers, architects, and public health professionals.
Breaking Down Silos: Collaboration is Key
One of John’s most compelling insights was the lack of interdisciplinary collaboration. He described attending conferences where doctors discussed indoor air quality from a clinical perspective, while architects and engineers approached the same topic from technical angles. Rarely, however, did these groups engage in dialogue with one another.
Through initiatives like the iAIR Institute, John is working to bridge these gaps. By fostering conversations across silos and focusing on human health outcomes, he aims to drive meaningful change in how we think about and design buildings.
Technology, Data, and Empowering Consumers
We also touched on the transformative potential of technology. Tools like indoor air quality monitors and wearables are empowering individuals to measure and control their environments. This democratization of data aligns with a broader cultural shift toward preventive health care and wellness.
However, John emphasized the importance of robust standards and transparent marketing. He pointed to the challenges consumers face in navigating claims about air-cleaning technologies during the pandemic. “We need meaningful science behind product claims,” he argued. “Without that, we risk eroding trust and making it harder for people to make informed decisions.”
The Path Forward: People-Centric Buildings
As our conversation wrapped up, we discussed the future of healthy buildings. John shared his optimism, noting the convergence of societal, technological, and policy trends that are pushing health and well-being to the forefront of design. From changes in ESG reporting to advances in sensor technology, the momentum is undeniable.
Ultimately, the key is putting people at the centre of the conversation. Whether it’s through better labelling, interdisciplinary collaboration, or smarter metrics, the goal is clear: buildings should exist to support and enhance human health.
This episode was packed with insights, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as I enjoyed recording it. If you’d like to dive deeper into John’s work or explore some of the organizations and initiatives we discussed, check out the show notes at Air Quality Matters.
What do you think? How can we better integrate health into the design of our buildings? Let me know in the comments or share your thoughts on social media. Together, we can build healthier spaces for everyone.
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