Aside from Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, May brings together three other observances that share a common thread: the air inside our built environment. Clean Air Month draws attention to the air we breathe every day. National Building Safety Month, with its 2026 theme “Built to Last,” highlights how thoughtful planning and resilient building practices create safer, stronger living spaces. And National Home Improvement Month reminds us that the upgrades we make may influence our living environments for years to come.
For the 106 million Americans affected by asthma and allergies, including the 28 million people with asthma, indoor air quality (IAQ) is a daily consideration. With Americans spending an estimated 90% of their time indoors, the choices we make this month, from the products running in our living rooms to the materials hidden in our walls, can meaningfully reduce allergens and support better indoor air.
Clean Air Month: The Role of Portable Air Cleaners
Portable air cleaners are among the most accessible tools for reducing airborne allergens in the home. Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, carrying pollen, pet dander, dust mite allergen, mold spores, and chemical pollutants from everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, and painting.
One study found that 51.5% of U.S. homes had at least six detectable allergens present, and 45.8% had at least three allergens at elevated levels. A well-designed portable air cleaner removes these particles from the air and captures them in a filter, helping to maintain cleaner air and healthier homes.
Not every device on the market performs as advertised. To carry the Asthma & Allergy Friendly®Certification mark, a portable air cleaner must reduce airborne allergens by at least 90% in real-world testing conditions, retain those allergens in its filter rather than redistributing them back into the room, and keep ozone emissions below 0.05 ppm.
In November 2025, the program expanded with a new sub-category, ASP:08-09, designed specifically for compact portable air cleaners intended for smaller spaces of up to 250 square feet, such as bedrooms, nurseries, dorms, and home offices, so science-based guidance now extends to the spaces where many people spend the most time.
When selecting a portable air cleaner, consider the size of the room (the Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR, helps match the device to the space), the filtration technology (HEPA filters capture fine particles, while activated carbon addresses gases and odors), and third-party certification to confirm the product performs as claimed.
What you can do: For best results, place portable air cleaners in rooms where people spend the most time, such as bedrooms or living areas, and replace filters according to the manufacturer’s guidance.
Building Safety Month: Insulation Behind the Walls
Insulation is easy to overlook because it is hidden, yet it plays an important role in indoor air quality. Some materials can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs, potentially harmful chemicals released into the air from materials and products), encourage mold growth if they retain moisture, or release fibers and dust when disturbed.
Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® insulation is tested for ingredient safety, with formaldehyde-based binders not permitted, and is subject to VOC emissions testing at both 24 hours and 14 days after installation.
Certified products must also demonstrate resistance to mold growth and meet strict limits for airborne particles and dust during room disturbance, with additional corrosion or erosion testing for pipe, tank, duct liner, and duct board applications. Choosing Certified insulation reflects the “Built to Last” vision of resilient buildings designed to protect the people inside them
What you can do: When planning insulation work, ask about ingredient disclosures, look for third-party certification on the materials being installed, and ensure installers follow best practices to prevent moisture buildup that could encourage mold growth.
Home Improvement Month: Paint and What It Releases
Paint is one of the most common home improvement projects, and it is also a significant source of indoor air pollution. VOCs released from paint can continue to off-gas long after the surface looks dry, and may contribute to eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and other concerns with prolonged exposure.
Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® paints are evaluated for both ingredients and performance. The program identifies paints free from unnecessarily harmful ingredients, ensures that any sensitizing chemicals are present only at levels of low concern, and measures VOC emissions at both 24 hours and 14 days after application.
The 24-hour benchmark matters: it reflects real-world conditions where people are painting homes, schools, or healthcare facilities and need spaces to return to use quickly. Certified paints also align with green building frameworks such as LEED and comply with WELL Feature X06 Part 1b4 of the WELL Building Standard.
What you can do: Before your next painting project, choose a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® paint and ventilate the room well during and after application.
A Healthier Indoor Environment Starts with Informed Choices
The connection across all three observances is clear: the products we bring into our homes shape the air we breathe. Look for third-party certification, ask what the testing actually covers, and remember that small, informed decisions add up to meaningfully healthier homes for everyone.