The importance of efficient air purifiers is actually higher than it has ever been. Today more people than ever before suffer from asthma along with other allergy symptoms. Usually these problems are caused by toxins and contaminants in the air. The usage of an air cleaner can often assist in improving the standard of life of people who have allergies. They allow you to breathe in air flow than may be cleaned by using a number of strategies, dependant upon the atmosphere purification system that you employ.Discovering the air purifier reviews will be easy to do if you follow the helpful hints in this post.
Electronic home air cleaners work by filtering air in a space. Dust, mildew, bacteria, cigarette smoke and plant pollen are captured by the air purifier and allow that you breathe the actual fresh and filtered breathable air. Modern-day machines can be very efficient and a few can easily cleanse the environment by as much as 97 percent. This can be a significant decline in the amount of flying contaminants which could reach your current airway and also lungs.
A new HEPA air purifier is among the most popular kind of machine available. A Honeywell purifier can capture and filter even the most basic of contaminants. These home air cleaners have turned out to be very useful in lessening exposure to allergens and other modest airborne contaminants which can help with a variety of respiratory system disorders and also illnesses.
When scouting for an air air purifier there are a few items that you need to think about. The ability of an air cleaner is very important. Make sure that the machine you are looking for is capable of cleansing the volume of air with your room or building.
Make sure you get an air purifier which has a minimal power usage. As you should not increase your power bills. You should also take into account the cost of substitution filters when they are required. Occasionally the less expensive units will certainly prove to be more expensive in the long run. If you want to keep buying filters as well as parts then you can wish you had bought a different machine.
The majority of air purifiers make use of an electric fan in order to filter the air. The actual fan may produce noises which some people may well not like. It is really an important issue should you be looking for an air purifier for usage inside a bedroom. Normally, the more powerful machines create the most sound.
To summarize, if you're considering getting an air purifier for your house, then consider the above mentioned items into account before making a decision. No matter what air cleaner you decide on be certain that it happens to be from a well known company who'll supply you a warrantee. If you stick to the good advice in this post you should be capable to drastically lessen the effect which air-borne pollution have on your daily life and enjoy inhaling cleansed and moreover filtrated breathable air for many years into the future.
2012年2月20日星期一
2012年2月19日星期日
Hotel guests want Wi-Fi, not a phone by the toilet
Do you remember those days when you were happy simply if your hotel room had clean sheets, a telephone with an outside line and no stains on the walls or floors?
We've come a long way since the days of tiny soap and two plastic glasses wrapped in plastic. But, I have to tell you, since reading about how accommodations are accommodating the changing needs of the modern traveler, I've recently had spasms of nostalgia for those simple days.
Consider that a hotel in Charlotte, N.C., now calls its housekeepers "room stylists."
That's kind of extreme, but you see where things are headed. In the crowded and competitive lodging industry, hoteliers are listening to their guests, and doing their best to keep up.
TripAdvisor recently published results of a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. travelers as well as 600-plus hotel professionals, asking each group which amenities were most and least important to them.
Wi-Fi Internet access topped the "most" list of both groups, while turn-down service topped the "least" list.
Amenities are a big deal, of course, since it's easy to click around on your device to compare what's being offered for what price. While a chocolate on the pillow won't scare anyone off, 54 percent of travelers surveyed said they have canceled a lodging reservation because they found better amenities at a different property, TripAdvisor reported.
The survey also reported that 45 percent of respondents said their favorite new food and drink amenities are happy hours, wine tastings or any other time with free food and drinks, and 31 percent wished more rooms would include free bottled water.
On the "who cares?" side of the ledger, 44 percent of women and 30 percent of men opined that luxury amenities were "not worth the hype."
The bathroom phone is the least-used fancy amenity, with 37 percent of respondents saying they never touch it.
When asked if they could stay celebrity-style, the top option for both men and women, at 36 percent, was to have the kitchen pre-stocked with their favorite food and beverages. A close second was the ability to have a private pool and hot tub in the room. These options beat out such diva-style demands as an in-room arcade, specific types of fresh flowers everywhere, private staff — even a movie screening room.
A recent story on hotels catering to the evolving tastes of travelers — particularly business travelers — was cited in the daily industry news brief for the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The story and accompanying video from an NBC affiliate in North Carolina noted the various "pretty dramatic changes" the industry is going through.
Among them are changes you never even imagined, as well as ones you were probably wishing for:
A hotel corridor bereft of a housekeeping cart. These bastions of the hotel biz apparently are on their last rattling wheels, to be replaced by smaller, more maneuverable caddies rolled right into the room.
That change will also eliminate the propped-open room doors, which means no more fears about passersby peeking in on your style of "spreading out" or — worse — someone wandering in to steal something.
Speaking of theft, the new system will thwart those who like to snag a few towels, toiletries or souvenirs from the unattended carts. And you won't be stocking up on the room toiletries as often either, as more and more companies are replacing them with refillable dispensers.
Other ways hotels are changing to accommodate the travel habits of today's traveler:
Hotels are rethinking their lobbies and other public areas to be more appealing for socializing, working and just relaxing outside the guest room. That's because more than a third of the business travelers these days are between 18 and 44, a group that doesn't like sitting in hotel rooms, said Adam Weissenberg of Deloitte & Touche, who specializes in the lodging industry.
More convenient places to plug in: Outlets are everywhere people hang out — check around your bar, lobby or restaurant table. It may be wired and ready for your power cord.
Tubs are dead: In a faster world, it's all about a quick shower — that is, if you can extricate yourself from those massage-and-waterfall experiences you'll find in hotel bathrooms.
We've come a long way since the days of tiny soap and two plastic glasses wrapped in plastic. But, I have to tell you, since reading about how accommodations are accommodating the changing needs of the modern traveler, I've recently had spasms of nostalgia for those simple days.
Consider that a hotel in Charlotte, N.C., now calls its housekeepers "room stylists."
That's kind of extreme, but you see where things are headed. In the crowded and competitive lodging industry, hoteliers are listening to their guests, and doing their best to keep up.
TripAdvisor recently published results of a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. travelers as well as 600-plus hotel professionals, asking each group which amenities were most and least important to them.
Wi-Fi Internet access topped the "most" list of both groups, while turn-down service topped the "least" list.
Amenities are a big deal, of course, since it's easy to click around on your device to compare what's being offered for what price. While a chocolate on the pillow won't scare anyone off, 54 percent of travelers surveyed said they have canceled a lodging reservation because they found better amenities at a different property, TripAdvisor reported.
The survey also reported that 45 percent of respondents said their favorite new food and drink amenities are happy hours, wine tastings or any other time with free food and drinks, and 31 percent wished more rooms would include free bottled water.
On the "who cares?" side of the ledger, 44 percent of women and 30 percent of men opined that luxury amenities were "not worth the hype."
The bathroom phone is the least-used fancy amenity, with 37 percent of respondents saying they never touch it.
When asked if they could stay celebrity-style, the top option for both men and women, at 36 percent, was to have the kitchen pre-stocked with their favorite food and beverages. A close second was the ability to have a private pool and hot tub in the room. These options beat out such diva-style demands as an in-room arcade, specific types of fresh flowers everywhere, private staff — even a movie screening room.
A recent story on hotels catering to the evolving tastes of travelers — particularly business travelers — was cited in the daily industry news brief for the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The story and accompanying video from an NBC affiliate in North Carolina noted the various "pretty dramatic changes" the industry is going through.
Among them are changes you never even imagined, as well as ones you were probably wishing for:
A hotel corridor bereft of a housekeeping cart. These bastions of the hotel biz apparently are on their last rattling wheels, to be replaced by smaller, more maneuverable caddies rolled right into the room.
That change will also eliminate the propped-open room doors, which means no more fears about passersby peeking in on your style of "spreading out" or — worse — someone wandering in to steal something.
Speaking of theft, the new system will thwart those who like to snag a few towels, toiletries or souvenirs from the unattended carts. And you won't be stocking up on the room toiletries as often either, as more and more companies are replacing them with refillable dispensers.
Other ways hotels are changing to accommodate the travel habits of today's traveler:
Hotels are rethinking their lobbies and other public areas to be more appealing for socializing, working and just relaxing outside the guest room. That's because more than a third of the business travelers these days are between 18 and 44, a group that doesn't like sitting in hotel rooms, said Adam Weissenberg of Deloitte & Touche, who specializes in the lodging industry.
More convenient places to plug in: Outlets are everywhere people hang out — check around your bar, lobby or restaurant table. It may be wired and ready for your power cord.
Tubs are dead: In a faster world, it's all about a quick shower — that is, if you can extricate yourself from those massage-and-waterfall experiences you'll find in hotel bathrooms.
2012年2月16日星期四
Review finds air purifier does almost nothing
The video spot for LightAir air cleaners promises that they can protect you from dangerous pollutants. Consumer Reports tested the $300 LightAir Ion Flow 50-F Surface, along with more than two dozen other portable air cleaners.
To evaluate how well they remove dust and smoke, testers place them in a special sealed room. The chamber is filled with fine, powdered clay dust, as well as cigarette smoke.
Testers use a particle analyzer to measure how well the air cleaners remove the contaminants. Testers found the LightAir about as effective at removing dust and smoke as using no air cleaner at all.
An air cleaner from Brookstone, the PureIon Pro, did far better removing dust and smoke. But it produces a small amount of ozone, which can aggravate asthma. The Brookstone meets voluntary standards on ozone levels. But Consumer Reports does not recommend any product that produces ozone.
Consumer Reports says even if you do have asthma or allergies, you probably don't need any air cleaner. To improve air quality, put dust-mite covers on your mattress and pillows. Don’t use a fireplace or let pets in your bedroom.
If you’ve taken those steps and still think you need an air purifier, Consumer Reports found some that are good at dust and smoke removal. The Holmes HAP756-U air cleaner for $150 is a good choice.
Consumer Reports says there’s another inexpensive way to improve the air in your home. If you heat and cool with forced air, you can replace the filter with better one -- something you need to do every couple of months.
Consumer Reports tests found that the $25 the 3M Filtrete Elite Allergen 2200 MPR filter does an excellent job removing dust and pollen.
To evaluate how well they remove dust and smoke, testers place them in a special sealed room. The chamber is filled with fine, powdered clay dust, as well as cigarette smoke.
Testers use a particle analyzer to measure how well the air cleaners remove the contaminants. Testers found the LightAir about as effective at removing dust and smoke as using no air cleaner at all.
An air cleaner from Brookstone, the PureIon Pro, did far better removing dust and smoke. But it produces a small amount of ozone, which can aggravate asthma. The Brookstone meets voluntary standards on ozone levels. But Consumer Reports does not recommend any product that produces ozone.
Consumer Reports says even if you do have asthma or allergies, you probably don't need any air cleaner. To improve air quality, put dust-mite covers on your mattress and pillows. Don’t use a fireplace or let pets in your bedroom.
If you’ve taken those steps and still think you need an air purifier, Consumer Reports found some that are good at dust and smoke removal. The Holmes HAP756-U air cleaner for $150 is a good choice.
Consumer Reports says there’s another inexpensive way to improve the air in your home. If you heat and cool with forced air, you can replace the filter with better one -- something you need to do every couple of months.
Consumer Reports tests found that the $25 the 3M Filtrete Elite Allergen 2200 MPR filter does an excellent job removing dust and pollen.
2012年2月15日星期三
Nitride Solutions finalizes Series A funding round at $2.5m
Nitride Solutions Inc of Wichita, KS, USA, which is developing substrates for LEDs, lasers and power electronics, has closed its Series A financing round (which was oversubscribed) at $2.5m. After already participating in the round last June, Nebraska Angels and Aurora UV Inc of Santa Barbara, CA (which makes ultraviolet LEDs for applications including air and water purification) have again joined lead investor Midwest Venture Alliance (MVA) in completing the round.
Founded in 2009, Nitride Solutions’ leadership has 30-plus years of experience in advanced materials businesses (both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies) and a total of 25 years in nitride crystal development. The firm maintains strong ties to Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, with key employees and advisors hailing from the university, as well as University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB).
The firm is now finishing commercialization of a high-volume manufacturing technology that aims to deliver high-volume, low-cost aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates. With projected defect rates 10 times lower than substrates currently on the market, the substrates will improve the performance, efficiency and cost of existing LED, laser and electronic products, while also making deep ultraviolet (UV) devices, the firm reckons. The result should be improved white lighting for consumer and industrial uses, more efficient power systems in hybrid vehicles, sharper color on flat-screen TVs, and better air and water purifiers. The firm will use the Series A funding to perfect the technology and begin sampling in first-quarter 2012.
“We are excited about the potential for this technology, and the strong demand for the Series A financing is a demonstration of our confidence in the company’s ability to execute on its business plan and deliver this revolutionary technology to market,” says Nebraska Angels’ president Bart Dillashaw.
“Fund raising in this economy is difficult,” notes Trish Brasted, managing member, MVA Capital Group. “All of us at the Midwest Venture Alliance are very excited to see the support from the regional investment community, as demonstrated by the oversubscribed Series A offering.”
Founded in 2009, Nitride Solutions’ leadership has 30-plus years of experience in advanced materials businesses (both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies) and a total of 25 years in nitride crystal development. The firm maintains strong ties to Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, with key employees and advisors hailing from the university, as well as University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB).
The firm is now finishing commercialization of a high-volume manufacturing technology that aims to deliver high-volume, low-cost aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates. With projected defect rates 10 times lower than substrates currently on the market, the substrates will improve the performance, efficiency and cost of existing LED, laser and electronic products, while also making deep ultraviolet (UV) devices, the firm reckons. The result should be improved white lighting for consumer and industrial uses, more efficient power systems in hybrid vehicles, sharper color on flat-screen TVs, and better air and water purifiers. The firm will use the Series A funding to perfect the technology and begin sampling in first-quarter 2012.
“We are excited about the potential for this technology, and the strong demand for the Series A financing is a demonstration of our confidence in the company’s ability to execute on its business plan and deliver this revolutionary technology to market,” says Nebraska Angels’ president Bart Dillashaw.
“Fund raising in this economy is difficult,” notes Trish Brasted, managing member, MVA Capital Group. “All of us at the Midwest Venture Alliance are very excited to see the support from the regional investment community, as demonstrated by the oversubscribed Series A offering.”
2012年2月14日星期二
Our partners at Consumer Reports put air purifiers to the test
Americans spend more than $500 million on air cleaners each year. But do they really purify the air like they promise? The video spot for LightAir air cleaners promises that they can protect you from dangerous pollutants. Consumer Reports tested the $300 LightAir Ion Flow 50-F Surface, along with more than two dozen other portable air cleaners.
To evaluate how well they remove dust and smoke, testers place them in a special sealed room. The chamber is filled with fine, powdered clay dust, as well as cigarette smoke. Testers use a particle analyzer to measure how well the air cleaners remove the contaminants. Testers found the LightAir about as effective at removing dust and smoke as using no air cleaner at all.
An air cleaner from Brookstone, the PureIon Pro, did far better removing dust and smoke. But it produces a small amount of ozone, which can aggravate asthma. The Brookstone meets voluntary standards on ozone levels. But Consumer Reports does not recommend any product that produces ozone.
Consumer Reportssays even if you do have asthma or allergies, you probably don't need any air cleaner. To improve air quality, put dust-mite covers on your mattress and pillows. Don’t use a fireplace or let pets in your bedroom.
If you’ve taken those steps and still think you need an air purifier, Consumer Reports found some that are good at dust and smoke removal. The Holmes HAP756-U air cleaner for $150 is a good choice.
Consumer Reports says there’s another inexpensive way to improve the air in your home. If you heat and cool with forced air, you can replace the filter with better one— something you need to do every couple of months. Consumer Reports tests found that the $25 the 3M Filtrete Elite Allergen 2200 MPR filter does an excellent job removing dust and pollen.
To evaluate how well they remove dust and smoke, testers place them in a special sealed room. The chamber is filled with fine, powdered clay dust, as well as cigarette smoke. Testers use a particle analyzer to measure how well the air cleaners remove the contaminants. Testers found the LightAir about as effective at removing dust and smoke as using no air cleaner at all.
An air cleaner from Brookstone, the PureIon Pro, did far better removing dust and smoke. But it produces a small amount of ozone, which can aggravate asthma. The Brookstone meets voluntary standards on ozone levels. But Consumer Reports does not recommend any product that produces ozone.
Consumer Reportssays even if you do have asthma or allergies, you probably don't need any air cleaner. To improve air quality, put dust-mite covers on your mattress and pillows. Don’t use a fireplace or let pets in your bedroom.
If you’ve taken those steps and still think you need an air purifier, Consumer Reports found some that are good at dust and smoke removal. The Holmes HAP756-U air cleaner for $150 is a good choice.
Consumer Reports says there’s another inexpensive way to improve the air in your home. If you heat and cool with forced air, you can replace the filter with better one— something you need to do every couple of months. Consumer Reports tests found that the $25 the 3M Filtrete Elite Allergen 2200 MPR filter does an excellent job removing dust and pollen.
2012年2月13日星期一
Pleather Lerner Arm Chairs
What does an Air Purifier from Sharper Image, 1980s David Bowie, and the pleathery chairs in Lerner have in common? They all look like they are from the future. Not a day goes by when I don’t pass by the rows of avant-garde arm chairs and feel like I am in the movie Tron and we are all but programs in the vast computer of life. What’s more is that sitting in these chairs provides the comfort to ponder such mysteries for hours.
Serving the Ferris post-mealtime crowd as well as students attempting to nab a mildly social study spot on the upper floors of Lerner, these retro recliners have a small, but loyal following. True Pleatherheads, as they are often called, must be able to enjoy the maximum comfort without falling asleep to maximize productivity— a task that deserves much applause. Early on my way to a meeting in the SGO, I decided to pop a squat in the perfectly square seat and see where it took me.
The cushion hit my bum with both rigidness and welcoming. Sort of like a troubled child coming home from military school. It let me sink in a bit, but I didn’t plunge into an abyss of sleek black textile. This probably accounts for students being able to work here without falling asleep. The lumbar support irked me a bit: one can slouch lazily, but if one desires to sit with proper posture, say a ballerina, or someone English, or someone with really good parents, it can be awkward because the horizontal of the chair is rather long, causing the knees to bend incompletely.
The pleather on the other hand was perfectly polished. I could almost see myself on it. It felt nothing of real leather, but rather of the reinforced plastic they make slip and slides with. This slipperiness should make for unreliable arm resting, but the chairs are arranged compactly side-by-side, so the double armchair action minimizes slippage. It smelt leathery, through you could tell this was the result of some polish or scent intentionally applied by the chair producer.
Extraneous to my evaluation, I must highlight one flaw that the chair will not be penalized on, but should be noted regardless. The accompanying coffee table set up is flawed. One has to crouch down to reach their belongings on it, and those who refuse to engage in such awkward behavior still can’t utilize it as a foot rest either: many people eat on these tables, so it is seen as a sort of party foul. Lerner is a social space, after all.
Serving the Ferris post-mealtime crowd as well as students attempting to nab a mildly social study spot on the upper floors of Lerner, these retro recliners have a small, but loyal following. True Pleatherheads, as they are often called, must be able to enjoy the maximum comfort without falling asleep to maximize productivity— a task that deserves much applause. Early on my way to a meeting in the SGO, I decided to pop a squat in the perfectly square seat and see where it took me.
The cushion hit my bum with both rigidness and welcoming. Sort of like a troubled child coming home from military school. It let me sink in a bit, but I didn’t plunge into an abyss of sleek black textile. This probably accounts for students being able to work here without falling asleep. The lumbar support irked me a bit: one can slouch lazily, but if one desires to sit with proper posture, say a ballerina, or someone English, or someone with really good parents, it can be awkward because the horizontal of the chair is rather long, causing the knees to bend incompletely.
The pleather on the other hand was perfectly polished. I could almost see myself on it. It felt nothing of real leather, but rather of the reinforced plastic they make slip and slides with. This slipperiness should make for unreliable arm resting, but the chairs are arranged compactly side-by-side, so the double armchair action minimizes slippage. It smelt leathery, through you could tell this was the result of some polish or scent intentionally applied by the chair producer.
Extraneous to my evaluation, I must highlight one flaw that the chair will not be penalized on, but should be noted regardless. The accompanying coffee table set up is flawed. One has to crouch down to reach their belongings on it, and those who refuse to engage in such awkward behavior still can’t utilize it as a foot rest either: many people eat on these tables, so it is seen as a sort of party foul. Lerner is a social space, after all.
2012年2月12日星期日
The Aromatic Plug-In Air Fresheners
An air freshener is a product designed to mask or remove unpleasant room ordors. These products typically deliver fragrance and other odor counteractants into the air.
Fragrance compounds have been used since antiquity to freshen air and mask odors, For example, the ancient Egyptians were known to use musks and other natural materials to scent their tombs. Over the last 2,000 years a variety of compounds, including numerous spices and floral extracts, have been used for their ability to impart a pleasant aroma. However, it was not until 1948 that the first modern air freshener was introduced. This product, using technology developed by the military to dispense insecticides, was a pressurized spray containing about 1% perfume, 24% alcohol or other solvents, and 75% chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellant. This was able to deliver a fine mist of fragrance that remained suspended in the air for a long period of time.
Today as the popularity of these scented air fresheners are on the rise, allergists are hearing more complaints about reactions to these toxic scented products.
Dr. Stanley Fineman is the president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACCAI). ” I’ve seen patients who say, ‘I go into somebody’s house who has one of these air fresheners and I just can’t stay there. I have increasing nasal symptoms, sneezing and coughing.’ There is no allergy skin test for air fresheners, but people can definitely have a physiologic response to it.”
“About 20 percent of the population and 34 percent of people with asthma report health problems from air fresheners. We know air freshener fragrance can trigger allergy symptoms, aggravate existing allergies and worsen asthma.”
Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) commonly found in air fresheners include: formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limonene, esters and alcohols. Fineman says a study of plug-in deodorizers found more than 20 different VOC’s with more than one third of those classified as toxic or hazardous.
Fineman says consumers should be particularly concerned if someone in the household has respiratory issues. He says studies show that even VOC exposure levels below currently accepted standards increase risks in asthma children.
High concentrations of VOC’s can trigger eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, and even memory impairment.
Despite all this, the home fragrance industry is expected to see continued growth, reaching $8.3 billion in global sales by 2015, so, why the fondness for air fresheners?
The new trend is manufacturers are marketing products to be aromatherapy which implies health and mood boosting benefits although there are no scientific studies to support these claims.
Dr. Stanley Fineman wasn’t the first to warn us about these dangerous chemicals in air fresheners. A study in 2010 led by the University of Washington discovered that 2 commonly used scented products (like laundry detergent and air fresheners) emit and average of 17 chemicals each. Of the 133 different chemicals detected nearly a quarter are classified as toxic or hazardous under at least one federal law.
Only one emitted compound was listed on a product label, and only two were publicly disclosed anywhere. Even so-called “Green” products were not “safe.”
Gretchen Schaefer, vice president of communications for the Consumer Specialty Products Association, an industry group, said that VOCs aren’t necessarily harmful.
“Anything that emits a scent — flowers or the scent of pine if you walk through a forest or your Christmas tree– is emitting a VOC,” she said.
In the United States, air fresheners are subject to the Toxic Substance Control Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, which requires that manufacturers inform consumers of risks and ingredients that could contribute to that risk. But some expects say the requirements aren’t stringent enough.
“The Federal hazardous Substance Act requires that the manufacturer put the proper–use information on the label,”Schaefer said.”These products are safe if you use them according to the label instructions.”
If you are still adamant about purchasing plug -in air fresheners use caution. Read the labels to ensure the product does not contain harmful chemicals. Ventilate the room as much as possible. Be extra sensitive to the amount of air fresheners you are using around small children.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) suggests that you first try to reduce bad home odors by attacking the source, rather than masking the problem. Identify and remove bad odors. Keep windows open as much as possible. If troubling odors persist, invest in an air purifier with activated carbon filtration.
Air fresheners need not be synthetic to produce an appealing and pleasant scent. Try adding orange, lemon or lavender essential oils to cotton balls and place throughout the house. You can also simmer spices like cinnamon and cloves in a small saucepan on the stove. These tips will leave your home smelling fresh and give you peace of mind that no harmful pollutants are being ingested.
Fragrance compounds have been used since antiquity to freshen air and mask odors, For example, the ancient Egyptians were known to use musks and other natural materials to scent their tombs. Over the last 2,000 years a variety of compounds, including numerous spices and floral extracts, have been used for their ability to impart a pleasant aroma. However, it was not until 1948 that the first modern air freshener was introduced. This product, using technology developed by the military to dispense insecticides, was a pressurized spray containing about 1% perfume, 24% alcohol or other solvents, and 75% chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellant. This was able to deliver a fine mist of fragrance that remained suspended in the air for a long period of time.
Today as the popularity of these scented air fresheners are on the rise, allergists are hearing more complaints about reactions to these toxic scented products.
Dr. Stanley Fineman is the president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACCAI). ” I’ve seen patients who say, ‘I go into somebody’s house who has one of these air fresheners and I just can’t stay there. I have increasing nasal symptoms, sneezing and coughing.’ There is no allergy skin test for air fresheners, but people can definitely have a physiologic response to it.”
“About 20 percent of the population and 34 percent of people with asthma report health problems from air fresheners. We know air freshener fragrance can trigger allergy symptoms, aggravate existing allergies and worsen asthma.”
Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) commonly found in air fresheners include: formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limonene, esters and alcohols. Fineman says a study of plug-in deodorizers found more than 20 different VOC’s with more than one third of those classified as toxic or hazardous.
Fineman says consumers should be particularly concerned if someone in the household has respiratory issues. He says studies show that even VOC exposure levels below currently accepted standards increase risks in asthma children.
High concentrations of VOC’s can trigger eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, and even memory impairment.
Despite all this, the home fragrance industry is expected to see continued growth, reaching $8.3 billion in global sales by 2015, so, why the fondness for air fresheners?
The new trend is manufacturers are marketing products to be aromatherapy which implies health and mood boosting benefits although there are no scientific studies to support these claims.
Dr. Stanley Fineman wasn’t the first to warn us about these dangerous chemicals in air fresheners. A study in 2010 led by the University of Washington discovered that 2 commonly used scented products (like laundry detergent and air fresheners) emit and average of 17 chemicals each. Of the 133 different chemicals detected nearly a quarter are classified as toxic or hazardous under at least one federal law.
Only one emitted compound was listed on a product label, and only two were publicly disclosed anywhere. Even so-called “Green” products were not “safe.”
Gretchen Schaefer, vice president of communications for the Consumer Specialty Products Association, an industry group, said that VOCs aren’t necessarily harmful.
“Anything that emits a scent — flowers or the scent of pine if you walk through a forest or your Christmas tree– is emitting a VOC,” she said.
In the United States, air fresheners are subject to the Toxic Substance Control Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, which requires that manufacturers inform consumers of risks and ingredients that could contribute to that risk. But some expects say the requirements aren’t stringent enough.
“The Federal hazardous Substance Act requires that the manufacturer put the proper–use information on the label,”Schaefer said.”These products are safe if you use them according to the label instructions.”
If you are still adamant about purchasing plug -in air fresheners use caution. Read the labels to ensure the product does not contain harmful chemicals. Ventilate the room as much as possible. Be extra sensitive to the amount of air fresheners you are using around small children.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) suggests that you first try to reduce bad home odors by attacking the source, rather than masking the problem. Identify and remove bad odors. Keep windows open as much as possible. If troubling odors persist, invest in an air purifier with activated carbon filtration.
Air fresheners need not be synthetic to produce an appealing and pleasant scent. Try adding orange, lemon or lavender essential oils to cotton balls and place throughout the house. You can also simmer spices like cinnamon and cloves in a small saucepan on the stove. These tips will leave your home smelling fresh and give you peace of mind that no harmful pollutants are being ingested.
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