Oreck markets its "flu-fighting" vacuum cleaners and air purifiers with false claims that they can "eliminate common viruses, germs and allergens, thereby helping to prevent the illnesses they cause," consumers say in a federal class action.
"Defendants represented to consumers that the products used scientifically proven technology to eliminate common viruses, germs and allergens, thereby helping to prevent the illnesses they cause," the complaint states. "However, these representations were false, deceptive and inaccurate. As such, Oreck's actions violated the Magnum Moss Warranty Act ('MMWA'), breached express warranties made by defendants, breached implied contractual warranties imposed by law, violated numerous California consumer protection statutes, and violated New York consumer protection statutes and common laws."
Lead plaintiffs Roxy Edge and Linda Gonzalez sued Oreck Corp. and three Oreck LLCs. They say the Nashville-based company cannot back up its claims that its vacuum cleaners and air-purifiers can "kill" bacteria and viruses.
Oreck claims that its Halo brand upright vacuum cleaner is "different from an ordinary upright vacuum" because of its "light chamber."
According to Oreck's ads, the product "'creates a powerful germicidal wavelength of UV-C light that can kill and reduce up to 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria helping you give your floors a healthier clean,'" the complaint states.
It continues: "This functionality was depicted in a number of different ways throughout Oreck's many advertising mediums. One such advertisement showed a man in a lab coat (apparently lending credence to Oreck's claims of scientific testing) vacuuming a floor surface with the Halo. Other advertisements featured the Halo eliminating simulated germs, bacteria and dust mite eggs below a carpeted floor surface. According to defendants, all of this was accomplished in less than one second of exposure to the light emitted from the Halo. One of Oreck's printed advertisements claimed that, 'when the light is on, germs are gone.'"
"In this product, Oreck didn't claim that the UV-C light, dubbed the 'Helios Shield,' killed germs, bacteria, molds, or viruses like the Halo. Although they were frequently advertised together, Oreck represented that the ProShield Plus air purifier 'uses ultraviolet light to smash the molecular structure of gases and odors' and 'uses UV light to remove many odors from the air.' Defendants also made very similar claims about their air purifiers' germ killing and flu fighting abilities, claiming the air purifiers would remove flu and other viruses, bacteria, mold and other pathogens from the air," the complaint states.
"Unfortunately for plaintiffs and the class, defendants' claims are not adequately supported by credible, scientific testing or other substantiation, and are not true," the complaint states.
The FTC this year fined Oreck $750,000 for "false and deceptive claims" and ordered it to stop claiming "Halo and the ProShield can kill bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, and thereby prevent illness," the complaint adds.
The plaintiffs seek class damages under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, for breach of express warranties, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, consumer law violations, unfair competition, false advertising and violations of New York General Business Laws.
Oreck spokesman John Van Mol told Courthouse News: "In this case no class has been certified. The company does not believe there is any merit to the plaintiffs' attorneys' case and it intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit."
2011年10月25日星期二
2011年6月29日星期三
Trial Begins In Lawsuit Over Drug Tampering
Small cameras hidden in a clock radio and an air purifier helped a North Stonington woman nab the worker responsible for stealing and tampering with her daughter's medication in a Westbrook home for the mentally disabled.
The worker, an employee of Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center, was fired, prosecuted and sent to prison in 2007 for two years.
Now the employee's transgression is surfacing again, this time in a civil courtroom where Vista is defending itself against a lawsuit filed by Jane and John Couto on behalf of their daughter, Melissa.
The lawsuit says Melissa Couto suffered "serious and severe consequences and damages" as a result of being deprived of her proper medication. The Coutos charge that the damages were caused by Vista's "negligence and carelessness" in failing both to supervise the proper administration of their daughter's medication and to investigate why her behavior changed.
Vista has insisted that it did nothing wrong and has vowed to fight the civil suit.
The lawsuit also accuses the facility of failing to supervise personnel, failing to hire "a sufficient number of competent, qualified personnel," and hiring "incompetent and unqualified persons."
Jane Couto sent her severely mentally disabled daughter to Vista in 2005 so she could learn life skills and get vocational training and counseling. Throughout her stay, Melissa Couto would need the medication Focalin, a stimulant, that prevented her from becoming lethargic and depressed.
At first, Melissa Couto seemed to do well at Vista. In January 2006, however, the Coutos noticed their daughter was becoming so tired that it was difficult for her to stay awake and alert. They wondered why medication that was once effective was no longer helping the young woman's fatigue and depression.
Then one day when Melissa Couto was visiting at home, sunlight shining through a window revealed that a capsule of medicine for Melissa was nearly empty. It appeared that someone at Vista was tampering with her medication.
With the help of her younger daughter, Ashley, Jane Couto hid small cameras inside Melissa's room at Vista. When the tape showed someone was entering Melissa Couto's room in the middle of the night and stealing her medicine, the Coutos called police.
The worker, an employee of Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center, was fired, prosecuted and sent to prison in 2007 for two years.
Now the employee's transgression is surfacing again, this time in a civil courtroom where Vista is defending itself against a lawsuit filed by Jane and John Couto on behalf of their daughter, Melissa.
The lawsuit says Melissa Couto suffered "serious and severe consequences and damages" as a result of being deprived of her proper medication. The Coutos charge that the damages were caused by Vista's "negligence and carelessness" in failing both to supervise the proper administration of their daughter's medication and to investigate why her behavior changed.
Vista has insisted that it did nothing wrong and has vowed to fight the civil suit.
The lawsuit also accuses the facility of failing to supervise personnel, failing to hire "a sufficient number of competent, qualified personnel," and hiring "incompetent and unqualified persons."
Jane Couto sent her severely mentally disabled daughter to Vista in 2005 so she could learn life skills and get vocational training and counseling. Throughout her stay, Melissa Couto would need the medication Focalin, a stimulant, that prevented her from becoming lethargic and depressed.
At first, Melissa Couto seemed to do well at Vista. In January 2006, however, the Coutos noticed their daughter was becoming so tired that it was difficult for her to stay awake and alert. They wondered why medication that was once effective was no longer helping the young woman's fatigue and depression.
Then one day when Melissa Couto was visiting at home, sunlight shining through a window revealed that a capsule of medicine for Melissa was nearly empty. It appeared that someone at Vista was tampering with her medication.
With the help of her younger daughter, Ashley, Jane Couto hid small cameras inside Melissa's room at Vista. When the tape showed someone was entering Melissa Couto's room in the middle of the night and stealing her medicine, the Coutos called police.
2011年5月2日星期一
Hunter Fan Company Launches Revolutionary Air Filtration System
Addressing a growing worldwide concern over air safety and cleanliness, Hunter developed the Total Air Sanitizer in order to provide customers with a reliable alternative to UV or UV-C air purifiers, which often do not expose all germs and viruses to the concentration of light intended to kill them. The Total Air Sanitizer uses new technology patented exclusively by Hunter to add an electric current to the HEPA air filter that kills bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi while capturing and removing dust, pollen, pet dander and other allergens from the air during any season.
The Total Air Sanitizer captures more than 99.9 percent of airborne particles and applies a charge throughout its one-of-a-kind HEPA filter that "traps and zaps" germs and viruses on the spot. In some rooms or homes, the Total Air Sanitizer may provide a noticeable improvement in air quality in as little as one hour of use.
"Consumers are increasingly concerned with the quality of air that they breathe," said Jim Gallman, vice president at Hunter. "Families want to feel safe breathing the air in their own home. Hunter is meeting their needs by providing a portable sanitizer that not only purifies the air from common allergens that cause irritation and discomfort, but also kills harmful viruses that may lead to serious illness."
More than 60 million Americans suffer from severe allergies or asthma, and the number of individuals who suffer from seasonal allergies has nearly doubled over the past 15 years, according to industry research and published reports. Priced competitively at $249, the Total Air Sanitizer benefits individuals who are at a higher risk for allergy-related illnesses, as well as anyone else who wants cleaner air in the home or office.
Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Hunter Fan Co. is the world's original ceiling fan manufacturer. Today, the company also manufactures high-performance air purifiers, low-maintenance humidifiers, portable fans and energy-saving thermostats. Hunter fans and other product lines are available in retail showrooms, home centers and discount stores nationwide.
The Total Air Sanitizer captures more than 99.9 percent of airborne particles and applies a charge throughout its one-of-a-kind HEPA filter that "traps and zaps" germs and viruses on the spot. In some rooms or homes, the Total Air Sanitizer may provide a noticeable improvement in air quality in as little as one hour of use.
"Consumers are increasingly concerned with the quality of air that they breathe," said Jim Gallman, vice president at Hunter. "Families want to feel safe breathing the air in their own home. Hunter is meeting their needs by providing a portable sanitizer that not only purifies the air from common allergens that cause irritation and discomfort, but also kills harmful viruses that may lead to serious illness."
More than 60 million Americans suffer from severe allergies or asthma, and the number of individuals who suffer from seasonal allergies has nearly doubled over the past 15 years, according to industry research and published reports. Priced competitively at $249, the Total Air Sanitizer benefits individuals who are at a higher risk for allergy-related illnesses, as well as anyone else who wants cleaner air in the home or office.
Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Hunter Fan Co. is the world's original ceiling fan manufacturer. Today, the company also manufactures high-performance air purifiers, low-maintenance humidifiers, portable fans and energy-saving thermostats. Hunter fans and other product lines are available in retail showrooms, home centers and discount stores nationwide.
2011年4月13日星期三
Daily Dose: Spring is in the Air... and So Are Allergies
Allergy season is here in the northeast, and it's making a lot of us uncomfortable. Medication and natural treatments (like doing a nasal saline rinse) can help a lot, but what about air purifiers? Can they really help to ease allergy symptoms—and does the type of air purifier make a difference?
I posed this question to WD health advisory board member Dr. Martha White, research director at the Institute for Asthma & Allergy in Wheaton, Maryland. Here's what I learned:
Yes, air purifiers can help by limiting your exposure to many allergens like pollen, mold and dander from pets. One allergen they won't fight: dust mites. "Dust mites are heavy and not airborne," explains Dr. White.
Which kind to buy: Dr. White recommends choosing one with a HEPA filter. Make sure you buy one that can handle the size of the room you plan to put it in (it should say ont he box). Avoid air purifiers with ionizers; Dr. White says these introduce ozone into the air and can actually trigger asthma symptoms.
Where to put it: In the bedroom, and possibly in the family room ("assuming the family room has a door that can be closed so that the machine isn't being asked to filter the whole house," says Dr. White).
How to get it function best: "Remember to close the windows!" says Dr. White. "A room purifier won't do much if you keep the doors and windows open and expect it to clean the whole house."
Do you use an air purifier? Has it helped ease your allergy symptoms?
I posed this question to WD health advisory board member Dr. Martha White, research director at the Institute for Asthma & Allergy in Wheaton, Maryland. Here's what I learned:
Yes, air purifiers can help by limiting your exposure to many allergens like pollen, mold and dander from pets. One allergen they won't fight: dust mites. "Dust mites are heavy and not airborne," explains Dr. White.
Which kind to buy: Dr. White recommends choosing one with a HEPA filter. Make sure you buy one that can handle the size of the room you plan to put it in (it should say ont he box). Avoid air purifiers with ionizers; Dr. White says these introduce ozone into the air and can actually trigger asthma symptoms.
Where to put it: In the bedroom, and possibly in the family room ("assuming the family room has a door that can be closed so that the machine isn't being asked to filter the whole house," says Dr. White).
How to get it function best: "Remember to close the windows!" says Dr. White. "A room purifier won't do much if you keep the doors and windows open and expect it to clean the whole house."
Do you use an air purifier? Has it helped ease your allergy symptoms?
2011年4月5日星期二
Air Purifiers Can Help Reduce Indoor Allergens and Deliver Cleaner
For many people, the arrival of spring means they can open the windows and enjoy fresh outdoor air after a long winter. But for those suffering seasonal allergies, spring can be challenging, and opening up the windows may not be an option.
Along with warmer weather, spring brings tree, flower and grass pollen that can easily travel indoors. Add this pollen to common indoor allergens, such as pet dander, mold spores and dust and the result can be poor indoor air quality that not only seems stale but can be filled with harmful allergens.
An effective indoor air purifier can help by delivering fresher, cleaner air. Use portable air purifiers with HEPA filters in rooms where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom and the living areas (family room, living room, den or home office).
Highly effective air purifiers, such as Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers, can capture up to 99.97 percent of pollutants from the air that passes through their filters, including allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores and smoke. Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers can also capture germs and help reduce common household odors. Portable air purifiers circulate the air in a room, usually several times per hour -- helping to reduce stuffy, stale air and release cleaner, fresher air back into the room.
The newest Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers, the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover (model: HPA-150) and the Honeywell True HEPA Compact Tower Allergen Remover (model: HPA-050), are attractive, space-saving and designed to integrate nicely into any decor. Each product features three cleaning levels, can circulate a room's air up to five times an hour, and has an activated carbon and zeolite pre-filter that helps reduce unpleasant household odors. An electronic filter replacement reminder illuminates when it is time to change the filter. And, for consumers concerned about being eco-friendly, the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover is Energy Star-rated.
The MSRP for the Honeywell True HEPA Compact Tower Allergen Remover is $89.99, and the MSRP for the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover is $179.99. The products are available at Target and Best Buy.
Some additional tips for reducing indoor allergens in the home:
1. Minimize outdoor allergens from entering your home. Take off your shoes when returning indoors to prevent tracking in pollen, mold spores and other outdoor airborne allergens. Consider taking a shower and changing your clothes. Keeping doors and windows closed can help prevent outdoor pollutants from blowing inside.
2. Do a thorough spring cleaning. A thorough spring cleaning can help rid your home of outdoor air pollutants and may reduce airborne allergens already present.
3. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter on rugs and hardwood floors, wash bedding and curtains regularly, scrub bathrooms and fix moisture leaks to eliminate mold and mildew. Wipe mini blinds and shades with an electrostatically-charged cloth to trap dust or use a vacuum attachment designed for dusting.
Along with warmer weather, spring brings tree, flower and grass pollen that can easily travel indoors. Add this pollen to common indoor allergens, such as pet dander, mold spores and dust and the result can be poor indoor air quality that not only seems stale but can be filled with harmful allergens.
An effective indoor air purifier can help by delivering fresher, cleaner air. Use portable air purifiers with HEPA filters in rooms where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom and the living areas (family room, living room, den or home office).
Highly effective air purifiers, such as Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers, can capture up to 99.97 percent of pollutants from the air that passes through their filters, including allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores and smoke. Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers can also capture germs and help reduce common household odors. Portable air purifiers circulate the air in a room, usually several times per hour -- helping to reduce stuffy, stale air and release cleaner, fresher air back into the room.
The newest Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers, the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover (model: HPA-150) and the Honeywell True HEPA Compact Tower Allergen Remover (model: HPA-050), are attractive, space-saving and designed to integrate nicely into any decor. Each product features three cleaning levels, can circulate a room's air up to five times an hour, and has an activated carbon and zeolite pre-filter that helps reduce unpleasant household odors. An electronic filter replacement reminder illuminates when it is time to change the filter. And, for consumers concerned about being eco-friendly, the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover is Energy Star-rated.
The MSRP for the Honeywell True HEPA Compact Tower Allergen Remover is $89.99, and the MSRP for the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover is $179.99. The products are available at Target and Best Buy.
Some additional tips for reducing indoor allergens in the home:
1. Minimize outdoor allergens from entering your home. Take off your shoes when returning indoors to prevent tracking in pollen, mold spores and other outdoor airborne allergens. Consider taking a shower and changing your clothes. Keeping doors and windows closed can help prevent outdoor pollutants from blowing inside.
2. Do a thorough spring cleaning. A thorough spring cleaning can help rid your home of outdoor air pollutants and may reduce airborne allergens already present.
3. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter on rugs and hardwood floors, wash bedding and curtains regularly, scrub bathrooms and fix moisture leaks to eliminate mold and mildew. Wipe mini blinds and shades with an electrostatically-charged cloth to trap dust or use a vacuum attachment designed for dusting.
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