Where to Buy Products for Mold & Allergy Control
Allergy Reducing Products,
Dust Mite Covers
Air Cleaners Purifiers
Insulation / Ventilation
Insulation
Ventilation
Dehumidifiers
Vacuum & Steam Cleaners
More Information
InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map
Air Conditioning
InspectAPedia Bookstore
Electrical
Environment
Exteriors
Heating
Home Inspection
Insulate Ventilate
Interiors
Mold Inspect/Test
Plumbing
Water
Septic
Roofing
Structure
More Information
Accuracy & Bias Pledge
Contact Us
|
Allergy/Asthma, Air Quality, Cleaning, Filtering, Ventilating, Dehumidification Products, Product Reviews, Advice
MoldAPedia ©
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest.
We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices,
false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at
inspect-ny.com/appointment.htm.
Notice: unless you find here a product review by the web author
you should assume that we have made no test and are making no claim about the effectiveness,
safety, or any other feature of these items. This information is provided as a
general reference and to invite feedback from consumers regarding their product
experience. Buying any product without understanding your actual needs (based
on your physician's advice and an examination of your residence) is risky.
Note: the website author has absolutely no financial relationship with any
product manufacturer or service described at the website.
© Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.
- Allergy Buyers Club various products
- Allercare Dust Mite products recalled by US EPA
- Allergenic covers and encasings Pillow, Mattress, Box Spring - aid in dust mite control.
This site also has Hypo-allergenic bedding and many other allergy control products including humidity/temperature gauge, hygrometer, various fans,
heaters, air filters, air cleaners, steam cleaning equipment sold via an on-line store at www.comfortliving.com
- The Healthy House Institute Books, articles, videos for reading on line or for sale
- Other allergenic bed linens and covers - listings wanted - listings offered here at no fee -
contact us
In my experience [which includes the detailed visual inspection and excruciatingly careful testing of a
large number of buildings for IAQ and other environmental concerns] there is no free-standing air cleaner, HEPA cleaner,
UV, ionizer, breeze machine, or any other free-standing plug-in air "purifier" that is really demonstrably effective at
cleaning up an indoor air contamination issue. The problem source needs to be identified, located, and removed.
Some of my IAQ clients report some improved relief when using an air cleaner in a small enclosed bedroom with the room
doors kept shut. How likely is it that the effect they describe is real? In a small room with the door shut and with no
local mold reservoir right in the room, portable equipment might be capable of producing a measurable effect on
the airborne particle level. But based on actual field inspections and measurements of particle levels in quite a few
buildings, I'm doubtful of any significant reduction in particle levels, mold, pet dander, or otherwise. My
measurements have not borne out the claims of the machine's makers/sellers. On the other hand, I have seen sick and
anxious people for whom any stress-reducing measure produces some self-reported improvement in their environment.
Since the science shows portable "air purifiers" to be ineffective at removing much from the air, I believe that the
improvement reported by consumers who use portable air cleaners could be a placebo effect. In rooms with air purifiers,
particle levels look about the same as the rooms (in the same area of the building) without them.
Consumer Reports Magazine (Consumers Union) looked at indoor air cleaners in 2003, as have many others, both
as neutral and in some case as biased researchers. CU found that the devices were generally ineffective and expressed
concern that they continue to sell well. The New York Times Magazine [22 January 2006 -- Rob Walker], reported on
the CU article and on this phenomenon. The Times ascribed continuing strong "air cleaner" sales (as did CU) to
public "concerns about allergies and indoor air contaminants, coupled with heightened worries over terrorism." Sharper
Image came in for particular criticism, probably because of their high-profile visibility in the marketplace and their
aggressive promotion of such products.
I agree with CU and most other researchers that these devices do almost nothing about mold and allergens in
buildings. I've tested buildings where frightened consumers have four or five of them running, sometimes two or three in
a room in a NY City Apartment. I have not seen any significant reduction in the total airborne particle level with or
without their use.
Research for one manufacturer, conducted by a university professor, concluded that the machines were effective, but
the construction of the experiment involved putting a fixed amount of particles into a closed test chamber, running the
machine therein, and extrapolating from the direction of the particle reduction curve. This was an unrealistic
experiment. In the "real world" of buildings and humans occupying them, if there is a significant indoor mold,
allergen, or other indoor particle reservoir, for all practical purposes, there is an infinite particle source forming a
stream of airborne particles moving through the room towards the air cleaner. (The manufacturer built a $1M test chamber
for this respected prof.)
According to the Times article, Sharper Image sued Consumers Union. The case was dismissed by a California
judge in 2004. The disagreement and the marketing of what clearly appear to be ineffective devices continues with
ionizing air cleaners produced by a variety of manufacturers. (See my ozone warning below).
My award for the stupidest of all of these products is the little battery powered "air cleaner" to be worn around the
neck, presumably the neck of an anxious asthmatic. I challenge any manufacturer of such a product to provide research
supporting the effectiveness of such devices.
In my microscopy lab (which does not have a mold reservoir problem) I was able to reduce the total level of airborne
(and surface) dust in the building by installing a central air handler which combined multiple levels of filtration along
with a heavy-duty multi-speed blower which can if necessary, run constantly. This particle reduction was in a generally
clean building with little carpeting, low occupancy use, and where there was no significant mold or allergen reservoir.
The approach used central air handling equipment that moves very high volumes of air through the equipment.
With a large problem particle source, the effective solution is to remove the problem reservoir. Trying to clean up
such a problem with an air cleaner is about as effective as trying to dust the bookshelves
by waving your vacuum cleaner wand at them from across the room! Worse, some machines deliberately or accidentally put out measurable levels
of ozone. Before buying an air purifier or air cleaner see our ozone warning article.
- PhototechTM indoor air purification and detoxification system, comparison chart
- Sun Pure "air purifier" (UV light, HEPA filter, other features) 800-705-5559
(Phillips Publishing) $500.
- Portable Room Air Cleaners-online store, Austin, Bemis, Blueair, C.A.R.E. 2000, Carrier,
DeLonghi, FamilyCare, Healthway, Honeywell, Hunter, IQAir, Panasonic, Sun
Pure, Wein air cleaners, various technologies offered by www.comfortliving.com
- Ozone warning article: some air cleaners and indoor air purifiers
deliberately produce high levels of ozone while others produce low levels as a byproduct of their operation. Not only is ozone ineffective
as an indoor air cleaner and quite inappropriate for mold remediation, it can cause health and property damage. In one of my field investigations
my clients used an ozone generator improperly and oxidized various building materials, leading to a building evacuation and costly repairs.
Also see Ozone Gas Hazards.
I have more to say on insulation [working on the text] since for certain problem locations such as over damp crawl spaces or exposed to moisture,
some insulation products appear to work better than others at avoiding mold, rodents, insect allergens, and general deterioration. I'll compare
current and historic materials used for insulation in buildings: air, solid brick, straw, cotton batts, asbestos, fiberglass, solid foam (of
various types), blown-in cellulose (paper), mineral or rock wool, blown or pumped UFFI, Icynene, and other products. Meanwhile see the links below
for more information.
- Fiberglass in Indoor Air, HVAC ducts, and Building Insulation,
Indoor Air Quality Investigations
- Crawl space ventilation system Atmox: Their product details look pretty smart. There is considerable controversy
about venting or non-venting crawl areas. Use an experienced, competent installer; what's appropriate depends on geographic area, individual
building characteristics, and occupant concerns. Improper venting can cause heating equipment back drafting, condensation, or other improper or
unsafe conditions.
I have more to say on crawl space and attic ventilation. Meanwhile see the links below for more information.
- Attic Condensation and Ice Dam Leaks - Detection and Correcting Venting and Condensation Problems in Buildings
- Humidity: How Low Should You Keep Indoor Humidity to Avoid a Mold Problem
Vacuum Cleaner & Steam Cleaner - Advice from an IAQ Investigator: These devices are used as household (or professional) cleaning tools
for environments with high levels of settled dust containing allergens, mold, etc. One can not
fix an allergen or mold problem by vacuuming, but one might be able to reduce the particle load in your air by careful cleaning.
A wide range of HEPA-filter
vacuum cleaners and HEPA vacuum cleaner bags is now on the market, all of which are likely to be of some help. Beware: some particles such as
certain toxic mold spores (Penicillium/Aspergillus, for example) are so small (1-2 microns) that ordinary household vacuum cleaners simply
aerosolize them, making you suffer more not less. As we get reports of products people like some of them will be listed here, but any web search
will turn up many more hits. Read the product literature carefully as machines vary widely in cost, in ease of cleaning, noise level,
effectiveness, as well as sometimes unpleasant and high-pressure salesmanship such
as is found at our local Poughkeepsie New York Main Street vacuum cleaner dealer.
Ultimately, no amount of vacuuming wall to wall carpets indoors will eliminate an allergen or mold problem. To my clients who have
asthma, allergies, or other respiratory concerns I recommend elimination of wall to wall carpets entirely. However even with all carpets
out of a home, housecleaning of dusty surfaces is still needed. A HEPA vacuum cleaner can help in this task, but check the unit that
interests you for leaks and blow-by since even if the filter is HEPA rated, if the cleaner leaks it's stirring up unwanted particles.
I'd also compare not only purchase cost but ease and cost of bag or filter cleaning or replacement.
What does "HEPA" mean? HEPA is an acronym for 'High Efficiency Particulate Air'.
HEPA filters originated in the 1940's, and HEPA became a registered trademark.
A HEPA� filter should remove least 99.97% of ultra-fine particulates such as dust, animal dander, smoke, mold and other allergens that are
down to 0.3 microns, from the air. Since the smallest indoor mold spores are around 1 micron, they pass right through ordinary filters
and vacuum cleaners - vacuuming in a moldy environment using the wrong equipment can make matters worse!
- The Allergy Buyers Club offers a comparison of HEPA vacuum cleaners but I don't think they've evaluated them for leakage.
- Ecosteam (UK) produces a range of home and commercial high-quality steamers
- Electrolux (U.S.) sells excellent HEPA vacuum cleaners, though IMHO a bit pricey. For a client I tested wall to wall carpeting before and
after vacuuming with an Electrolux vacuum cleaner. In the lab microscope I could see a significant reduction in particle debris levels
in my own lab instrument vacuum of carpet samples.
- Fogacci steam vapor machine (allergen control), The Home Environmental Co. 184 Bedford St., Lexington MA 02173 617-862-CURE 617-861-6251 fax
- Miele - makes excellent HEPA vacuum cleaners.
- Nilfisk - www.pa.nilfisk-advance.com
- Orek makes HEPA vacuum cleaners.
- Kirby makes a high-end HEPA-rated vac
- Saeco steam cleaner/vacuum $599. See Real Goods - the eco product co-op.
Try a web search, Keywords such as HEPA Vacuum Cleaners or Dust Mite Covers to return up-to-date product sources to check. Try including
your zip code or town name in a search for local supply sources.
More expert information on this topic
|
Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice 
Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building 
InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map
The Mold Information Center:
Home Inspection Construction Consulting Services
Use this simple, economical mold test kit
Environmental
Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis
Contact Daniel Friedman