Joe Allen
@joeallenjoe.bsky.social
Prof at Harvard; Direct Harvard Healthy Buildings Program; Exposure and Risk Science; Author: HEALTHY BUILDINGS book w/ HBS Prof Macomber
linktr.ee/healthybuilding
linktr.ee/healthybuilding
Cornell University has agreed to pay $60 million and accept the Trump administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws in order to restore federal funding and end investigations into the Ivy League school.
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Cornell University has agreed to pay $60 million and accept the Trump administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws in order to restore federal funding and end investigations into the Ivy League school.
Harvard PD looking for help identifying these people
November 2, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Harvard PD looking for help identifying these people
Covid vaccine study:
--> 29% lower risk of COVID-related ER visits
--> 39% lower risk of hospitalization
--> 64% lower risk of death
Study has key methodological strengths
👇
--> 29% lower risk of COVID-related ER visits
--> 39% lower risk of hospitalization
--> 64% lower risk of death
Study has key methodological strengths
👇
October 30, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Covid vaccine study:
--> 29% lower risk of COVID-related ER visits
--> 39% lower risk of hospitalization
--> 64% lower risk of death
Study has key methodological strengths
👇
--> 29% lower risk of COVID-related ER visits
--> 39% lower risk of hospitalization
--> 64% lower risk of death
Study has key methodological strengths
👇
JPMC's new HQ at 270 Park is setting new standards of excellence for healthy buildings. Such a privilege to be part of this team bringing it to life.
www.jpmorganchase.com/newsroom/pre...
www.jpmorganchase.com/newsroom/pre...
October 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
JPMC's new HQ at 270 Park is setting new standards of excellence for healthy buildings. Such a privilege to be part of this team bringing it to life.
www.jpmorganchase.com/newsroom/pre...
www.jpmorganchase.com/newsroom/pre...
NEW STUDY PUBLISHED IN NATURE: People who got an mRNA COVID vaccine within ~3 months before or after starting immunotherapy for cancer lived longer overall than those who didn’t get the vaccine.
www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
October 23, 2025 at 11:51 PM
NEW STUDY PUBLISHED IN NATURE: People who got an mRNA COVID vaccine within ~3 months before or after starting immunotherapy for cancer lived longer overall than those who didn’t get the vaccine.
www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
“In the first eight months of this year, Americans legally wagered $99.09 billion with commercial sportsbook operators"
October 23, 2025 at 10:42 PM
“In the first eight months of this year, Americans legally wagered $99.09 billion with commercial sportsbook operators"
Real economy bust; rich economy booming
GDP growth is only 0.1% this year
--> if take out AI
Top 10% of Americans account for half of spending
--> highest since 1980
GDP growth is only 0.1% this year
--> if take out AI
Top 10% of Americans account for half of spending
--> highest since 1980
October 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Real economy bust; rich economy booming
GDP growth is only 0.1% this year
--> if take out AI
Top 10% of Americans account for half of spending
--> highest since 1980
GDP growth is only 0.1% this year
--> if take out AI
Top 10% of Americans account for half of spending
--> highest since 1980
Of 13,000+ chemicals associated w plastics, 10 groups are identified as being of major concern:
-flame retardants
-UV stabilizers
-forever chemicals
-phthalates
-bisphenols
-alkylphenols
-alkylphenol ethoxylates
-biocides
-metals and metalloids
-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
-flame retardants
-UV stabilizers
-forever chemicals
-phthalates
-bisphenols
-alkylphenols
-alkylphenol ethoxylates
-biocides
-metals and metalloids
-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
October 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Of 13,000+ chemicals associated w plastics, 10 groups are identified as being of major concern:
-flame retardants
-UV stabilizers
-forever chemicals
-phthalates
-bisphenols
-alkylphenols
-alkylphenol ethoxylates
-biocides
-metals and metalloids
-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
-flame retardants
-UV stabilizers
-forever chemicals
-phthalates
-bisphenols
-alkylphenols
-alkylphenol ethoxylates
-biocides
-metals and metalloids
-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
“Fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone”
October 14, 2025 at 1:02 PM
“Fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone”
Newsom misses the moment on #ForeverChemicals in consumer products. Mistake.
October 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Newsom misses the moment on #ForeverChemicals in consumer products. Mistake.
#ForeverChemicals
“The evolving definitions of PFAS have made it difficult to define and characterize chemicals”
(And for the public to understand…)
I don’t get why everyone is so confused? 👇
“The evolving definitions of PFAS have made it difficult to define and characterize chemicals”
(And for the public to understand…)
I don’t get why everyone is so confused? 👇
October 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
#ForeverChemicals
“The evolving definitions of PFAS have made it difficult to define and characterize chemicals”
(And for the public to understand…)
I don’t get why everyone is so confused? 👇
“The evolving definitions of PFAS have made it difficult to define and characterize chemicals”
(And for the public to understand…)
I don’t get why everyone is so confused? 👇
"They are called forever chemicals for good reason. They don’t break down, lingering in our blood, water and soil. They’ve been linked to cancer, infertility, thyroid disease, developmental delays and immune dysfunction."
October 9, 2025 at 1:01 AM
"They are called forever chemicals for good reason. They don’t break down, lingering in our blood, water and soil. They’ve been linked to cancer, infertility, thyroid disease, developmental delays and immune dysfunction."
Now with update 🙌
September 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Now with update 🙌
My 3 imperatives from the UN event on indoor air.
We must...
1. Recognize indoor health is fundamental to human health
2. Recommit to ventilation / filtration not just as a technical standard for minimally acceptable conditions, but as a cornerstone of public health
3. Require indoor air monitoring
We must...
1. Recognize indoor health is fundamental to human health
2. Recommit to ventilation / filtration not just as a technical standard for minimally acceptable conditions, but as a cornerstone of public health
3. Require indoor air monitoring
September 29, 2025 at 10:22 AM
My 3 imperatives from the UN event on indoor air.
We must...
1. Recognize indoor health is fundamental to human health
2. Recommit to ventilation / filtration not just as a technical standard for minimally acceptable conditions, but as a cornerstone of public health
3. Require indoor air monitoring
We must...
1. Recognize indoor health is fundamental to human health
2. Recommit to ventilation / filtration not just as a technical standard for minimally acceptable conditions, but as a cornerstone of public health
3. Require indoor air monitoring
--> did NOT lead to increased costs
--> did NOT delay project timelines
--> did NOT result in worse product performance or aesthetics
--> DID lead to retrofitted spaces having nearly 80% lower levels of forever chemicals in dust
The playbook: healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/research/mat...
--> did NOT delay project timelines
--> did NOT result in worse product performance or aesthetics
--> DID lead to retrofitted spaces having nearly 80% lower levels of forever chemicals in dust
The playbook: healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/research/mat...
September 9, 2025 at 11:33 AM
--> did NOT lead to increased costs
--> did NOT delay project timelines
--> did NOT result in worse product performance or aesthetics
--> DID lead to retrofitted spaces having nearly 80% lower levels of forever chemicals in dust
The playbook: healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/research/mat...
--> did NOT delay project timelines
--> did NOT result in worse product performance or aesthetics
--> DID lead to retrofitted spaces having nearly 80% lower levels of forever chemicals in dust
The playbook: healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/research/mat...
Good air quality in schools is about to become even more important in Florida where they're pulling back on vaccinations
1⃣ Results highlight the primary importance of vaccination for reducing the risk of measles transmission
2⃣ Addt'l and significant benefits thru enhancing ventilation + filtration
1⃣ Results highlight the primary importance of vaccination for reducing the risk of measles transmission
2⃣ Addt'l and significant benefits thru enhancing ventilation + filtration
September 5, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Good air quality in schools is about to become even more important in Florida where they're pulling back on vaccinations
1⃣ Results highlight the primary importance of vaccination for reducing the risk of measles transmission
2⃣ Addt'l and significant benefits thru enhancing ventilation + filtration
1⃣ Results highlight the primary importance of vaccination for reducing the risk of measles transmission
2⃣ Addt'l and significant benefits thru enhancing ventilation + filtration
The narrative out there is polarized as either “we need more AC” or “more AC is bad for the planet.” Both are true. We need more, but better, air conditioners, paired with other energy-efficient cooling mechanisms and strategies in, on, and around our buildings. 👇
www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/19/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/19/o...
August 15, 2025 at 12:07 PM
The narrative out there is polarized as either “we need more AC” or “more AC is bad for the planet.” Both are true. We need more, but better, air conditioners, paired with other energy-efficient cooling mechanisms and strategies in, on, and around our buildings. 👇
www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/19/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/19/o...
I don't have the energy to re-post this here...
August 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I don't have the energy to re-post this here...
The fires in L.A. caught researchers attention very early b/c of the spike in lead, arsenic, and other metals in the smoke
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
August 11, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The fires in L.A. caught researchers attention very early b/c of the spike in lead, arsenic, and other metals in the smoke
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Funding for this research was stopped by Trump
--> "A study published last week...found that mice given a lithium-deficient diet had more amyloid, damaged neurons and impaired learning and memory. A low dose of lithium orotate reversed cognitive problems and restored memory."
--> "A study published last week...found that mice given a lithium-deficient diet had more amyloid, damaged neurons and impaired learning and memory. A low dose of lithium orotate reversed cognitive problems and restored memory."
August 11, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Funding for this research was stopped by Trump
--> "A study published last week...found that mice given a lithium-deficient diet had more amyloid, damaged neurons and impaired learning and memory. A low dose of lithium orotate reversed cognitive problems and restored memory."
--> "A study published last week...found that mice given a lithium-deficient diet had more amyloid, damaged neurons and impaired learning and memory. A low dose of lithium orotate reversed cognitive problems and restored memory."
What is Known?
Air quality monitoring during the active fires showed elevated levels of lead in the air. Testing of firefighters found higher blood lead levels than their counterparts.
[1/n]
Air quality monitoring during the active fires showed elevated levels of lead in the air. Testing of firefighters found higher blood lead levels than their counterparts.
[1/n]
August 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
What is Known?
Air quality monitoring during the active fires showed elevated levels of lead in the air. Testing of firefighters found higher blood lead levels than their counterparts.
[1/n]
Air quality monitoring during the active fires showed elevated levels of lead in the air. Testing of firefighters found higher blood lead levels than their counterparts.
[1/n]
New study: researchers looked at hospital visits after a coal plant was closed near Pittsburgh
--> immediate 20.5% decrease in weekly respiratory emergency dept visits
--> immediate 41.2% decrease in pediatric asthma ED visits
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40691837/
--> immediate 20.5% decrease in weekly respiratory emergency dept visits
--> immediate 41.2% decrease in pediatric asthma ED visits
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40691837/
August 8, 2025 at 2:20 PM
New study: researchers looked at hospital visits after a coal plant was closed near Pittsburgh
--> immediate 20.5% decrease in weekly respiratory emergency dept visits
--> immediate 41.2% decrease in pediatric asthma ED visits
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40691837/
--> immediate 20.5% decrease in weekly respiratory emergency dept visits
--> immediate 41.2% decrease in pediatric asthma ED visits
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40691837/