Anna O'Donovan, Author at Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Program

About Anna O'Donovan

Anna is mum of three children. Her eldest daughter has allergies and she suffers from allergies and asthma herself. She is a qualified doctor who worked in both hospital medicine and as a General Practitioner for a number of years. Anna studied medicine in Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland graduating with an honours degree in Medicine in 1997. Anna is also a qualified Dentist graduating with an honours degree and won the prize in oral medicine, oral surgery and oral pathology. She is an award winning author, most recently being runner up in the Baileys First Chapter Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Recognising Excellence: Kleenex® Receives the Community Impact & Leadership Award

The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program has named Sharnell Weathersby, Senior Brand Manager at Kleenex® Air Filters, its May Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month Honoree. Weathersby and the Kleenex® Air Filters team receive the Community Impact & Leadership Award for donating certified MERV 13 filters to underserved communities across the US, from Southern California wildfire relief to a nationwide giveaway spanning seven cities.

Anna O'Donovan2026-09-15T13:08:18+00:00September 15th, 2026|

Prepared for Anything: How Certified Products Support Resilient Indoor Environments

September is National Preparedness Month, a reminder that emergencies can strike without warning. For people with asthma and allergies, protecting indoor air quality is a critical piece of preparedness. Learn how Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified products—from air purifiers to HVAC filters and dehumidifiers—help families, schools, and workplaces build resilience before, during, and after disasters.

Anna O'Donovan2026-09-15T13:09:28+00:00September 15th, 2026|

Healthy Aging and Healthy Air: Certified Products for Senior Living

September is National Healthy Aging Month, a good reminder that indoor air quality plays a central role in resident health and wellbeing. Discover why IAQ matters in senior living facilities and how Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified paint, bedding, and air purifiers are already helping support healthier, more comfortable environments for older adults.

Anna O'Donovan2026-09-12T07:32:20+00:00September 11th, 2026|

AAFA’s 2026 Asthma Capitals® Report Highlights Certified Partners Driving Community Impact

AAFA's 2026 Asthma Capitals® report highlights the cities where the asthma burden is heaviest. Our Certified partners are helping change that. Here's how 3M Filtrete™, Alen, Tarkett, Knauf, Rabbit Air, Kleenex®, and more are putting Certified products to work in the communities that need them most.

Anna O'Donovan2026-09-02T07:49:48+00:00September 2nd, 2026|

Certified Partners Benjamin Moore and Filtrete™ Recognized in 2026 Green Builder Sustainable Products of the Year

The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program congratulates Certified partners Benjamin Moore and Filtrete™ Brand on being named to Green Builder Media's 2026 Sustainable Products of the Year list — recognizing Benjamin Moore's Certified Eco Spec® paint and the new Filtrete™ Refillable Air Filter Kit for supporting healthier indoor air.

Anna O'Donovan2026-08-28T08:24:09+00:00August 28th, 2026|

On the Air: A Home Improvement Podcast Takes a Closer Look at Carpet and Indoor Air Quality

A recent episode of Around the House with Eric G® explores indoor air quality — and spotlights Mohawk's Pur-Ease™ carpet, the first treated carpet to earn Asthma & Allergy Friendly® certification.

Anna O'Donovan2026-08-27T14:28:15+00:00August 27th, 2026|

Press Release: Alen Highlights Why Cleaner Indoor Air Matters More Than Ever

In a new press release, Alen shares why consumers are turning to independently tested air purification, including its certified BreatheSmart range.

Anna O'Donovan2026-07-02T09:31:04+00:00July 2nd, 2026|

Amazon Prime Day 2026! Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Promotions

Prime Day 2026 is here, and so are exclusive deals from brands independently certified to support healthier indoor air. Shop smarter this Prime Day.

Anna O'Donovan2026-06-23T08:26:40+00:00June 19th, 2026|

A Month Dedicated to Healthier Homes: What the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program Did for Awareness Month 2026

May is the month when the asthma and allergy community comes together. Here is a look back at how the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program marked Awareness Month 2026, from a new certified product category and expert webinars to community events in Chicago and the work of our patient advocacy partner AAFA.

Anna O'Donovan2026-06-18T14:38:33+00:00June 18th, 2026|

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program Teams with Chicago Asthma Consortium to Advance Community Asthma Education

On May 21, the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program returned to Chicago to support the Chicago Asthma Consortium's 2026 Community Health Worker Educational Forum, equipping community health workers with practical asthma education tools and outreach resources for families across the city.

Anna O'Donovan2026-06-11T15:06:50+00:00June 11th, 2026|

Inspired by Nature: Climate Change and the Air We Breathe Indoors

This World Environment Day, UNEP's theme is "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future." For the 106 million Americans with asthma and allergies, climate change is reshaping the air they breathe, indoors and out.

Anna O'Donovan2026-06-05T08:23:26+00:00June 4th, 2026|

Breathe Better at School and Work: Indoor Air Quality Matters This Awareness Month

This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, we look at the indoor environments where Americans spend the most time, schools and workplaces, and how Certified products can support healthier indoor air.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-28T14:51:54+00:00May 28th, 2026|

The Role of Insulation in Indoor Air Quality: Choosing the Right Insulation for a Healthier Home During Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, discover how the materials behind your walls shape the air you breathe. Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified insulation, including Knauf North America's growing portfolio, is independently tested for VOC emissions, mold resistance, and dust levels, supporting healthier indoor environments.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-26T09:32:10+00:00May 26th, 2026|

The Role of Vacuum Cleaners in Indoor Air Quality: Choosing the Right Vacuum for a Healthier Home During Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, discover how the vacuum you choose shapes the air in your home. Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified vacuum cleaners are independently tested to remove allergens, contain them within the unit, and maintain performance over time.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-22T06:56:23+00:00May 22nd, 2026|

Cleaner Air, Stronger Buildings, Healthier Homes: A Spotlight on May’s Observances

Three May observances, one shared focus: the air inside our homes. For the 106 million Americans affected by asthma and allergies, the products we bring into our living spaces shape what we breathe. Here's how Certified portable air cleaners, insulation, and paint can help.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-21T14:59:43+00:00May 21st, 2026|

The Role of Whole Home Air Cleaners in Indoor Air Quality: Choosing the Right System for a Healthier Home During Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, discover how Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified whole home air cleaners reduce airborne allergens across every room with central forced-air systems. Featuring Certified partners Trane CleanEffects™ and American Standard AccuClean™, learn what independent testing actually measures and why it matters for healthier indoor air at home.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-21T09:30:09+00:00May 21st, 2026|

The Role of Flooring in Indoor Air Quality: Building Healthier Spaces from the Ground Up During Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, discover how the floor beneath your feet shapes the air you breathe. From low-VOC resilient flooring to the world's first Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified treated carpet (Mohawk's SmartStrand® with Pur-Ease™), independent certification gives consumers and specifiers a science-backed way to build healthier spaces from the ground up.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-20T10:55:02+00:00May 20th, 2026|

The Role of Cleaning Products in Indoor Air Quality: Choosing the Right Products for a Healthier Home During Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, learn how the cleaning products under your sink shape the air inside your home. From hard surface cleaners to laundry detergents and dusters, discover why Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified products from trusted partners Renegade Brands and Guardsman support a whole-home approach to healthier indoor air.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-18T06:36:30+00:00May 18th, 2026|

How Certified Washing Machines Support Better Indoor Air Quality This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, discover how Certified washing machines help reduce dust mite allergen, pet dander, and pollen from fabrics, supporting healthier indoor air.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-14T07:01:11+00:00May 14th, 2026|

The Role of Bedding in Indoor Air Quality: Choosing the Right Bedding for a Healthier Home During Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, learn how the bedding we sleep on each night shapes the air in our bedrooms. From dust mites to chemical treatments, discover why Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified bedding from trusted partners makes a meaningful difference.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-13T09:32:17+00:00May 13th, 2026|

Treated Carpet and Indoor Air Quality: A Fresh Look at Soft Flooring

Most of us spend around 90% of our time indoors, where flooring is one of the surfaces we interact with most. As we mark Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, we take a fresh look at treated carpet: what it actually is, why indoor air quality matters, and what the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program measures.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-12T08:49:35+00:00May 12th, 2026|

The Role of HVAC Filters in Indoor Air Quality: Choosing the Right Filter for a Healthier Home During Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

This May, as we observe Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and National Clean Air Month, discover how Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified HVAC filters reduce pollen, dust mite allergen, and pet dander in your home. Learn what independent certification actually tests, and why "hypoallergenic" labels alone are not enough.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-11T08:24:07+00:00May 11th, 2026|

Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month: The Power of Portable Air Cleaners for Healthier Indoor Air

This Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, discover how Certified portable air cleaners can transform your indoor air. Our latest article explains what to look for in a scientifically validated device and introduces our new Asthma & Allergy Friendly® certification sub-category for compact air cleaners designed for smaller spaces like bedrooms, nurseries, and home offices.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-08T09:23:32+00:00May 8th, 2026|

The Role of Paint in Indoor Air Quality: Choosing the Right Paint for a Healthier Home During Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

This May marks both Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and Building Safety Month, with its 2026 "Built to Last" theme. Discover how Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified paints reduce VOC emissions, support healthier homes, schools, and workplaces, and align with LEED and WELL Building Standard requirements for low-emitting materials.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-06T09:20:10+00:00May 6th, 2026|

World Asthma Day 2026: Ensuring Access to Anti-Inflammatory Inhalers for All

World Asthma Day 2026 puts the spotlight on the urgent need for anti-inflammatory inhaler access worldwide. Learn why inhaled corticosteroids matter, and how a healthier indoor environment supports better asthma control every day.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-05T06:42:42+00:00May 5th, 2026|

Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month: The Power of Community

May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Join us as we explore the power of community and the role of Certified products in healthier indoor spaces.

Anna O'Donovan2026-05-04T08:59:44+00:00May 4th, 2026|

National Healthy Homes Month 2026

National Healthy Homes Month highlights how simple actions like cleaning, ventilation, and choosing Certified products can improve indoor air quality and support healthier living environments.

Anna O'Donovan2026-04-22T09:05:57+00:00April 22nd, 2026|

Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet, Our Air

On 22 April, the world marks Earth Day 2026 under the theme Our Power, Our Planet™. AAFA's latest Allergy Capitals® report shows climate change is redrawing the map of seasonal allergies across the US. Here is what it means, and where our power really lies: the indoor air we can control.

Anna O'Donovan2026-04-21T10:16:04+00:00April 21st, 2026|

Press Release: World’s First Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified Treated Carpet: Mohawk SmartStrand® Carpet Styles Enhanced with Pur-Ease™ Technology

Mohawk’s SmartStrand® carpet with Pur-Ease™ technology is now Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified, independently tested to reduce common allergens and support a healthier indoor environment for everyday living.

Anna O'Donovan2026-04-13T13:07:16+00:00April 13th, 2026|

National Healthy Schools Day: Time to Focus on Indoor Air Quality in Schools

Students spend up to 1,000 hours in school each year, and the quality of the indoor environment plays a key role in how they feel, focus, and learn. This article explores the impact of indoor air quality in schools and how Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified products can help support healthier learning environments.

Anna O'Donovan2026-04-14T08:32:49+00:00April 13th, 2026|

National Public Health Week: Policy Matters for People Living with Asthma and Allergies

From cleaner air in schools to better asthma support programmes, public health policy has a direct impact on everyday life. This National Public Health Week, we explore how advocacy is helping people manage asthma and allergies more effectively.

Anna O'Donovan2026-04-07T15:32:42+00:00April 7th, 2026|

Wrapping Up Our February Trade Mission: Healthier Indoor Environments Across the U.S.

Leah McInerney shares highlights from the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program trade mission, connecting partners, healthcare professionals, and retailers focused on indoor air quality.

Anna O'Donovan2026-04-16T10:35:01+00:00March 18th, 2026|

Why Certified Paint Matters: Leah McInerney and Benjamin Moore Discuss Eco Spec®

Learn why certified paint matters for indoor air quality as Leah McInerney and Benjamin Moore’s Alfredo Valiente discuss Eco Spec® and third-party certification.

Anna O'Donovan2026-03-16T12:18:39+00:00March 16th, 2026|

AAFA’s 2026 Allergy Capitals® Report: What It Means for Managing Seasonal Allergies

AAFA’s 2026 Allergy Capitals® report ranks the most challenging U.S. cities for pollen allergies and highlights the environmental factors driving longer and more intense pollen seasons.

Anna O'Donovan2026-03-13T15:35:44+00:00March 13th, 2026|

Sleep Awareness Week: How Your Bedding Can Support Better Sleep

Sleep Awareness Week is a reminder that bedding, indoor air quality and allergen control can influence sleep comfort. Learn how certified bedding can support a cleaner sleep environment.

Anna O'Donovan2026-03-11T11:29:13+00:00March 11th, 2026|

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program at the Do it Best & True Value Spring Market

Leah McInerney and Dave Morrissey attended the Do it Best & True Value Spring Market, meeting with Certified partners including Benjamin Moore, True Value, Mohawk Flooring and 3M Filtrete and speaking about how certification helps retailers build customer trust.

Anna O'Donovan2026-03-10T10:10:18+00:00March 10th, 2026|