Celebrating Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month: A Wrap-Up from the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program and Our Partners

How the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program and Our Partners Raised Awareness for Healthier Indoor Air During IAQ Awareness Month

As Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Awareness Month comes to a close, we at the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program are proud to reflect on a month filled with impactful initiatives, educational content, and collaborative efforts. Together with our CERTIFIED partners, we worked hard throughout October to raise awareness about the importance of IAQ and to empower consumers to make healthier choices for their homes, schools, and workplaces.

Our mission has always been to make indoor environments healthier by offering trusted certification for products that can help reduce asthma and allergy triggers. This October, we went all out, creating and sharing resources that inspire people to take action toward cleaner air in their everyday lives. Here’s a look back at our activities and the incredible contributions from our CERTIFIED partners.

Our Commitment to Educating Consumers on Indoor Air Quality

Throughout the month, our team at the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program published a range of articles, each aimed at helping consumers create healthier indoor environments. Available on our website, these articles were designed to make the often complex topic of IAQ accessible and actionable. Key themes included:

• Practical Tips for Improving IAQ: From simple cleaning practices to optimizing ventilation, we shared straightforward steps that anyone can take to enhance the air quality in their home.
• Considerations for Healthier Home Renovations: We provided insights on selecting materials such as paint, insulation and flooring with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can significantly reduce pollutants introduced during, and after, home improvement projects.
• Role of Household Appliances in IAQ: Articles explored how vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and air purifiers can contribute to a healthier home environment when selected carefully, especially if product claims are backed by science.
• Importance of HVAC Filters and Building Materials: We highlighted the vital role that products like HVAC filters, air cleaners, insulation, whole home air cleaners and flooring play in managing allergens and creating a healthier indoor space. CERTIFIED products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they reduce common asthma and allergy triggers, making them invaluable tools for a healthier home.

To enhance the impact of these articles, we also developed high-quality infographics that visually communicate essential IAQ tips and practices. These infographics have been a popular resource, used by both our team and our partners to educate and engage audiences about the importance of indoor air quality.

Our Partners’ Role in Promoting Indoor Air Quality

We are fortunate to have CERTIFIED partners who are equally committed to advancing IAQ awareness and providing consumers with products that meet our rigorous standards. This October, our partners amplified IAQ messaging through their own channels and initiatives, showcasing the value of CERTIFIED products and their dedication to consumer health and wellbeing.

George to the Rescue: A Heartwarming Home Transformation for Healthier Living

Kenny Mendez CEO of AAFA

One of the standout initiatives during October’s IAQ Awareness Month was the George to the Rescue episode that featured a special home renovation for the Fruhschein family, whose children face health challenges. The episode, which aired in October, highlighted the importance of a “whole home approach” to creating a healthier indoor environment for families dealing with asthma and allergies.This comprehensive strategy ensured that every room was optimized to minimize asthma and allergy triggers, from the bedrooms to the common areas. This project exemplified how CERTIFIED products from multiple partners can work together to significantly reduce allergens and irritants to create a more comfortable space.

A Collaborative Effort for Better Indoor Air Quality

The Fruhschein family’s home transformation was a collaborative effort that brought together several of our CERTIFIED partners. Each partner donated products that met the rigorous standards of the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program, ensuring that every aspect of the renovation contributed to a reduction in asthma and allergy triggers:

• Filtrete™ Air Filters from 3M were installed to improve air quality by capturing common allergens like pollen and dust mite allergen, laying the foundation for a healthier indoor environment.
• DOWNLITE, LG, National Allergy, Renegade Brands, SIJO, Protect-a-Bed, and Wicked Sheets each donated CERTIFIED products—from bedding and air purifiers to laundry detergent—ensuring that every part of the home supported cleaner air and reduced allergens.

Kenny Mendez, CEO of AAFA, provided expert guidance throughout the renovation, emphasizing the importance of scientifically tested products in managing asthma and allergy triggers. This project highlighted the Certification Program’s role in empowering families with trusted products that enhance indoor air quality, proving that certified solutions can make a tangible difference in health and quality of life.

3M and Filtrete™ Air Filters: A Multi-Channel Approach to IAQ Education

CERTIFIED Filtrete™ Furnace Filters

3M has been an invaluable partner in raising awareness about IAQ and the importance of certified products. Throughout October, they took a multi-faceted approach to reach consumers, emphasizing their commitment to reducing asthma and allergy triggers in indoor environments through their CERTIFIED Filtrete™ Air Filters.

• Asthma Capitals Segment on ABC Cleveland:  During a segment that aired on ABC Cleveland, 3M emphasized how Filtrete™ Air filters can play a role in reducing allergens and asthma triggers in high-risk areas referring to AAFA’s Asthma and Allergy Capital’s Reports, reinforcing the importance of choosing certified products to improve IAQ. You can watch this piece here
• Educational Article and Social Media Ads: 3M published an article titled “Your Guide to Celebrating National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month” on their website, which provided a seven-day IAQ challenge. This article encouraged readers to take simple, actionable steps to improve their home’s air quality, from changing filters to increasing ventilation. The guide featured an infographic from the Certification Program, which visually explained the steps for achieving better IAQ. To further engage consumers, 3M ran Pinterest ads with the message “Helps trap airborne pet dander,” promoting their Filtrete™ Air Filters.
• “George to the Rescue” Episode: One of the highlights of 3M’s involvement this month was their key role in the special episode of “George to the Rescue,” featuring CERTIFIED Filtrete™ Air Filters.

LG Electronics: Promoting Cleaner Air with CERTIFIED Air Purifiers

LG’s IAQ Month Article

LG Electronics focused on educating consumers about the benefits of IAQ and the unique features of their CERTIFIED air purifiers during IAQ Awareness Month. Through an informative Brandpoint article, LG presented their air purifiers as essential tools for creating healthier homes.

• Educational Article on Brandpoint: LG published an article titled “How Indoor Air Quality Can Make Your Home Healthier,” featuring their PuriCare™ AeroTower™ air purifiers, which are CERTIFIED by the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program. This article not only highlighted the benefits of improving IAQ but also provided readers with practical tips on how to do so. LG’s air purifiers are equipped with advanced features such as a PM1.0 Sensor and Smart LED Indicator, which provide real-time information on air quality.

Knauf Insulation: Educating Builders and Homeowners on Healthier Materials

Knauf Insulation took a very active role in promoting IAQ during October, emphasizing the importance of healthier building materials and low-VOC products. Through blog posts, sponsored content, and highlighting their summer ASHRAE event, Knauf connected with both industry professionals and consumers to advocate for better IAQ in construction and renovation projects.

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  Dr. Jerome Adams, Dr. John McKeon at Knauf event

  Educational Blog Posts: Knauf published several blogs on the critical role of IAQ in construction, such as “Building Healthier Homes: The Critical Role of Indoor Air Quality in Home Construction” and “Breathe Clean Air: Building And Maintaining An Allergy-Friendly Home This Fall”. These articles stressed the importance of using low-VOC materials, which release fewer chemicals into the air, reducing potential asthma and allergy triggers. Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd, contributed insights on the value of choosing certified products for healthier homes, reinforcing the importance of Knauf’s CERTIFIED insulation products.

• ASHRAE Event with Jerome Adams: During summer 2024, Knauf hosted an ASHRAE event featuring former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who discussed the role of IAQ in overall health and well-being and in October, Knauf shared content about this high profile event on their social media channels. 
• Sponsored Content for NAHB: Knauf also released sponsored content with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), titled “Insights on Indoor Air Quality: Meeting The Demand For Healthier Homes”. This piece discussed the financial and health benefits of healthier building practices, educating builders on the importance of certified materials and positioning Knauf as a leader in IAQ innovation.

Renegade Brands: Supporting IAQ Awareness Through Social Media

• LinkedIn Content Sharing: Renegade Brands used their social media presence to promote IAQ awareness by sharing our Certification Program’s home improvement infographic on LinkedIn. By sharing our infographic, Renegade Brands amplified the message of IAQ Awareness Month, educating their followers on the benefits of certified products for cleaner air. This approach highlighted the Certification Program’s commitment to providing partners with ready-to-use resources for social amplification.

Wicked Sheets: Creating a Healthier Home for a Family in Need

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  Wicked Sheets on LinkedIn

  Heartfelt Contribution:Wicked Sheets contributed to the “George to the Rescue” home renovation project by donating CERTIFIED bedding to the Fruhschein family, who needed a space tailored to their health needs. In a LinkedIn post, Wicked Sheets shared their involvement in the project, expressing their commitment to creating a healthier and more comfortable space for families dealing with asthma and allergies.

SIJO: Promoting IAQ Awareness Through Social Media

• Instagram Awareness Post: SIJO used their social media platform to raise awareness about IAQ, posting a message on Instagram that highlighted the importance of clean air in the home. Their post provided practical tips for improving IAQ in bedrooms, emphasizing the role of certified products in reducing allergens.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA): Community Outreach and Education

As the patient advocacy arm of the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program, AAFA was instrumental in spreading awareness throughout October. Their efforts included educational content for parents, tips for schools, and a social media campaign focused on IAQ.

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  AAFA’s blog

  Community Blog and School Tips: AAFA’s community blog provided guidance on identifying IAQ issues in schools and offered strategies for reducing asthma and allergy triggers in educational settings.

• Breathe Newsletter and Social Media: Through the Breathe newsletter and a dedicated social media campaign, AAFA shared information on sources of indoor air pollution, health risks, and easy-to-implement IAQ improvements for homes.
• Social Media Initiatives: AAFA actively shared IAQ tips on social media, educating families and individuals on the steps they can take to improve the air quality in their own homes.

Reflecting on a Successful Month

As October comes to a close, we are proud of the collective efforts that made IAQ Awareness Month a success. Through educational content, certified products, and a strong commitment to consumer health, we and our partners have reached countless individuals, helping them make informed decisions to create healthier indoor environments.

We are committed to supporting our partners with resources that empower them to raise awareness about IAQ. Our infographics, articles, and educational materials are designed to amplify their efforts and provide consumers with trustworthy information.

Indoor air quality isn’t just a topic for one month; it’s a priority all year round. We encourage everyone to continue focusing on IAQ, making small changes that can lead to healthier, happier lives. Together, let’s build a future where every indoor space is a healthy place to live, learn, and grow.