Allergy Consumer Review Issue #34
Allergy Consumer Review Issue #34Dear Everyone,
Welcome to another issue of the Allergy Consumer Review. Spring arrived early to the Northeast and I hope you’ve experienced equally pleasant weather in your area. Unfortunately, however, this means that pollen season is already upon us – a time of concern for the many people who suffer from pollen allergies. Be sure to see our Pollen Solution Guide in this issue for battling pollen spores and hay fever as well helpful guides on Mold, Dust Mites and Cat Allergies. With warmer weather coming, the increase in humidity is not far behind. High humidity is not only uncomfortable for most people with asthma in particular, but can cause mold and mildew growth in a home and office. Dehumidifiers are very useful in mold prevention. In this issue we give high praise to a new line of Millennium dehumidifiers now available on our site. Related to air quality, be sure to see our in-depth review of the new AirFree air sterilizer – it’s ideal for mold and dust mite control. You also might be interested in my revised Air Purifier Comparison Chart which we will be updating every Spring. Keep in mind that the Discount Coupons & Special Offers in this issue are only good until June 15th, so you need to act quickly to be able to save at our Allergy Buyers Club Online Store.
In This Issue
- Cat Allergies Product Solution Chart, Pollen and Hayfever Product Solution Charts
- Living with Cats Revisited
- Misconceptions: Filter Speeds and Filter Changes. IQAir pre-filter life
- AirFree. Air Sterilizer reviewed in depth
- Millennium Basement Dehumidifier reviewed
- Hamilton Beach Humidifier reviewed
- Allergy Relief Products
Mercia Tapping President / CEO AllergyBuyersClub.com Contact Information Disclaimer: Product and solution information reflect information available at the time of publication, including prices, availability, and reviews. To get the latest information, contact us or join our newsletter. Cat Allergies Solution Chart & Pollen/Hayfever Solutions Chart For those of you who called and asked us for our ‘best picks’ of products for dealing with cat allergies and spring pollen/hayfever allergies, here are some handy charts listing our favorites and a brief explanation of why. In case, you missed them last month, we also completed mold and dust mites problem solution charts to help you with your shopping needs. For each problem we created a step-by-step guide so you would know what to do first. Our recommendation is to try a product in each step and keep going until you achieve symptom relief. Complete symptom relief seems to be very individual, idiosyncratic, and related to the severity of your symptoms. Cat Allergy Solutions Mold Allergy Solutions Pollen Allergy Solutions Dust Mite Allergy Solutions
Living with Cats Revisited – Spring 2002
By Mercia Tapping Naturally, if we were sane and rational about our allergies, we would stay away from anything that makes us sick. Many of us, however, are not sane and rational about pets and indeed one of my screening questions when I was single was ‘Are you allergic to cats?’ I never wanted to have to make the choice between my spouse and my cats. Besides, the cats would always win out. So by a cruel twist of fate, AFTER I got married and after a whole lifetime with cats, I found out I was allergic to them, with a 7 out of 9 scale rating.
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I want to be honest at the outset of this article. If I did not have cats, I would probably always wake up in the morning with a completely clear head. I would never sneeze around the house or experience mild sinus pressure. My eyes would never itch after I bury my head in their fur. BUT I would miss out on an important part of my life. My cat allergy symptoms are never gone completely, but they are manageable. Very manageable. |
If you are super allergic to cats consider immunization. See our Immunotherapy FAQ by Dr Spector. As yet there are no allergy-free cats or one-shot cat vaccines, although both are the subject of research. Above all, be sensible. I get letters from people who have anywhere from 10-17 cats and land in the hospital several times a year with severe asthmatic attacks. With more cats, there is more allergen to handle. Less is better. So here is an updated version of my original article.
- No more cats sleeping on the bed. Sorry, this is a small price to pay for allergy relief. If you get your symptoms under control by all means invite them back, but give yourself a break while you are trying to abate your symptoms.
- Close the bedroom door to try and keep the cat allergen down in the bedroom. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary from allergens. So tempt your cats to sleep elsewhere during the day.
- Wash all bedding in 140°F hot water at least twice monthly. This eliminates both dust mites and cat allergen (because we know some of you will still let them sneak up on the bed).
- Vacuum up cat allergen with a high grade HEPA vacuum cleaner twice weekly. Vacuum the walls, carpet, flooring, chairs, and furniture…everywhere. Use the hand tools on the vacuum. We use a Miele vacuum cleaner at home for quick pick-ups and a central vacuum for the rest. Cat allergen particles are very small and invasive so you really have to do a thorough job. Good hand tools on your vacuum cleaner are the answer here.
- Use high-end HEPA air purifiers starting with the bedroom. Since cat allergen is so difficult to remove a good HEPA filter is essential. Personally, I have found that the liberal use of high-grade HEPA filters running 24 hours a day is the key to my success. When we have tested our air at home with a particulate counter, the allergen levels was very low indeed. We do use a bit of extra electricity, but it is worth it. We use several HEPA filters all over our house. A Blueair purifier in the bedroom because it is so quiet. A Whirlpool Whispure in the family room/home office. An IQAir HEPA filter in the rest of the house. When it comes time to change any of the pre-filters, it is clear they capture a lot of cat hair. My furnace filter is also visibly capturing large amounts of cat hair when we wash it. If we had a basement, we would use a Clarifier air purifier because of its ultra violet mold killing properties which would also kill cat proteins. The important thing to remember about cat allergen is the constant high rate of recontamination (because you have cats running around the house!). When my husband has an allergic patient come to the house, we use one of the HEPA filters on high, to clear the air within a one to two hour period. It works like a charm. No passive system without a fan, which relies on natural air convection in a room can clear the air really fast. HEPA filtration systems may be noisy and expensive to maintain, but when push comes to shove, when you are in need of fast relief, a good HEPA filter will do it for you. Remember this basic fact about cat allergens. They need to be airborne and you need to breathe them in for you to have an allergic reaction to them. Cat allergen is very small so it remains suspended in the air longer. That is why I personally have multiple air purifiers in my home.
- If you have sinus problems because of your cats, use a Grossan nasal irrigator and clean out the allergens in your nostrils on a daily basis. This alone will reduce your absorption of allergens by at least fifty percent. The Grossan irrigator has been the subject of a great deal of research, and has been found to be extremely effective assisting with sinusitis and allergen reduction. Irrigation is an harmless procedure and sounds much worse than it actually is. Information can be found at Hydromedonline.com.
- After you pet the cats, wash your hands afterwards to remove allergens. Do not rub your eyes afterwards. When I forget, my eyes can itch for hours.
- Some people wash their cats to reduce the amount of cat allergen that is released from their cat in to the air, but there seems to be conflicting research about its effectiveness. A well-known brand of a liquid, Allerpet, which you can be applied to your cats’ coat, is available from your local veterinarian. Alternatively, you can get a micro fiber cloth (which you keep specially for this task) and just damp rub down the cats coats to rid of visible dander. I find this helpful. Never in a million years would my Siamese cats subject themselves to a bath, but a cloth wipe down is tolerated by them.
- Using a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home in addition to vacuuming, is now proven by research to be extremely helpful in killing off the cat proteins/dander which are embedded in your carpets and upholstery. We are great fans of steam cleaners. They really do provide a chemical-free way of cleaning and killing dust mites, bacteria, mold spores, and cat allergen.
- Even if you do all the above, you probably will not reduce the allergen even in your bedroom more than fifty to seventy five percent. The only way to get a better result than that is to over-pressurize a room, such as a bedroom. Frank Hames from IQAir says if you do that, you could make your bedroom a real sanctuary and dramatically reduce all allergens in the bedroom. This is also the answer for people who want fresh air coming in from the outside during the allergy season. IQAir offers positive air pressure kits to achieve this result. In conclusion, as I have said before, keeping a cat when you have allergies takes a concerted effort, and is only for those people like myself who are nutty enough about their cats to go to all this trouble. Good luck!
More Questions & Answers about AirFree 
Since we announced the AirFree Sterilizer, we have had a number of questions that we hope the following review will clear up. We recommend the AirFree Sterilizer primarily for mold and dust mite control, viruses and bacteria. Pluses:
- EFFICIENT: For contaminated air passing through AirFree it’s sterilizing efficiency is 99.99% in destroying microorganisms. Remember as in all purifiers, the allergens have to REACH the machine. However, assuming they reach the machine, the purifying effect is greater than regular HEPA filters. (We do have some like IQAir, Care and Healthway that have enhanced HEPA filtration performance capabilities.)
- EFFECTIVE: AirFree destroys even the smallest of airborne microorganisms in its unique ceramic heating chamber without any ozone being used. In addition, it destroys the smallest of microorganisms. For instance viruses are killed at 150°F, and since they are smaller than 1 micrometer, AirFree perform better than most average HEPA filters. AirFree destroys airborne allergens such as all types of fungus, including those from dust mite feces, mold spores, proteins from cat dander. To re-emphasize a point, AirFree does not incinerate dust mites. Air free destroys the fungus dust mites need for food without producing harmful by-products or gasses such as found in ozone machines.
- TECHNOLOGY: The core of the AirFree is 400°F. It is the intensity of the internal heat that sets AirFree apart and which is the secret of the documented results it has achieved.
- ROOM ALLERGEN REDUCTION: AirFree has achieved 85% reduction in the ambient air, the figure which is what really counts, and not at AirFree air outlet (99.99%). This is a very impressive figure. These results were achieved primarily with mold spores. Remember in certain circumstances, when some other allergens may be blowing into the room at a rapid rate, the results may not be so high.
- INDEPENDENTLY TESTED: This sterilizer has been tested in hotels, libraries, banks as well as laboratories and research centers with published results. Note the testing has been principally for mold spore reduction, and for which it has been found to be remarkably effective. USER FRIENDLY: You can turn on this air sterilizer and forget it! There is only 1 speed, so you can set it on and safely leave it on for weeks.
- SILENT: The AirFree is completely silent, but it still gets the job done. Great for the office or those bothered by noise in the bedroom at night.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: At 4 pounds, the AirFree sterilizer is extremely lightweight, and easy to move or carry.
- MAINTENANCE FREE: One of the most appealing aspects of this air sterilizer is that it has no filters and requires no maintenance. A true economic advantage over traditional air purifiers which often require replacement filters.
- WARRANTY: 2 years. Since there are no moving parts, fans or knobs, the manufacturer estimates a life of about 5 years. This figure still remains an estimate but we believe it is likely to be true.
Minuses:
- NO FAN: AirFree works best in areas where air is already circulating. Great for air-conditioned areas, forced hot air or areas with a fan, air purifier, or people moving the air about.
- WAITING PERIOD: Best results are achieved over a period of continuous use for 21-30 days. We think the wait is worth it to kill and keep mold spores, bacteria and viruses at a minimum, but if you need to decontaminate a room FAST, this technology would then be best used in conjunction with a HEPA air purifier.
- DOESN’T HANDLE CERTAIN ALLERGENS OR GASES/ODORS: Not effective for non-living organic particulate matter such as pet hair or gases. It would not be used for fast odor control where carbon adsorption is needed.
- AREA COVERED: Only good for areas up to 250 sq. ft., but effective nonetheless. We recommend purchasing several units to accommodate larger areas in need of air sterilization.
- SAFETY: AirFree’s top lid achieves 144°F on its top lid which is uncomfortable, but not enough to cause any burn. Children will instinctively remove their hands when touching the top lid. We personally liked it as a hand warmer. But some mothers of young children should exercise extra precautions.
Other Points: AIRFREE PLACEMENT AirFree can be put on a tabletop, but it will probably require additional air currents like generated air conditioning. Why? Because AirFree works by air convection. It will be impossible to grab by air convection the heavier microorganisms that will naturally be deposited on the floor. AirFree will still be efficient on a tabletop but not as much as if it was placed on the floor. For instance in a laboratory setting, AirFree is placed on table tops because that is where you need the air to be clean and not so much on floor levels. Nevertheless the lab tests done with AirFree on tabletops had air conditioning which was helpful to the AirFree performance. There is no real evidence that AirFree will not work on tabletops, but it is preferable to have it on the floor. Summary These AirFree Air Sterilizers are truly a breakthrough in home air sterilization with a small footprint at an affordable price! The fact that these air sterilizers actually incinerate microorganisms and other contaminants set them apart from other air purifiers. If you want to destroy mold spores, fungi, bacteria and viruses, air sterilizers are truly in a class all their own, and we’re excited to make them available to you. See all the air purifiers in our store
Millennium Basement Dehumidifier reviewed
Reviewed by Gary McEldowney: Allergy Buyers Club Staff 
We were eager to test this low temperature dehumidifier because there are very few residential low temperature dehumidifiers available. We are pleased to announce that Millenium Basement Dehumidifiers do the job and do it well! We loved the LCD electronic control panel and the ability to set your own desired humidity level.
Pluses:
- This dehumidifier works down to 50°F while most similarly priced units sold in retail stores operate only down to 65°F This is the only unit we have seen in the residential market with a programmable humidistat and temperature display In addition to removing moisture from the air, these dehumidifiers filter the air, and offer an easy to remove washable filter. Indicator lights will tell you when to clean the filter, and this feature is not available on other competitor models such as DeLonghi.
- There are 3 drainage options – either use the bucket, garden hose or the direct drain. The drainage bucket is in the front of the unit and the drainage hose access is under the front of the bucket. Slightly lighter in weight than other units in the market and rolls easily on 4 casters
Minuses:
- The units are somewhat heavy to bring up and down stairs The plastic dehumidifier unit housing is a bit thinner than we would have liked but will not rust The bucket needs to be carried with two hands when carrying to empty it. It does not come with a condensate pump. We did find an auxiliary pump that works well with this dehumidifier that we offer as an accessory.
- No duct kit is available so you have to run the dehumidifier in the room you wish to dehumidify.
Summary: These Millennium Low Temp dehumidifiers offer easy to use, lower temperature operation at an affordable price! The electronic control display with a humidistat you can set to your desired humidity level set these dehumidifiers apart from the crowd. We tested them in New England during the winter and found the low temperature operation to be accurate. We were hoping for more humidity, but this winter it was hard to find. We had to add our own water to the basement room and the unit performed up to our expectations. See all the dehumidifiers in our store
Misconceptions: Life Expectancy of IQAir Filters
By David Barnaby – Allergy Buyers Club staff Editor’s Note: David is our in-house IQAir Air Purifier expert. We often get asked about the IQAir filter life. This is a tricky question as it depends on a number of variables which David explains below. The life expectancy of the IQAir filters we list on our web site for the IQAir Healthpro air cleaners are dependent on three factors.
- How many hours a day you run the IQAir cleaner?
- On what speed do you run the machine?
- The pollution setting you run the filter on. This is an index from 1 to 9 with 1 being for the cleanest environment and 9 being for the dirtiest conditions. If you go to Chapter 3, page 16 in your owner’s manual there is a chart for each of the three filters depicting how many hours the filter will last based on the fan speed and the dust index. As you can see, you will get variations from 2 to 18 months depending on the speed you run it on. As far as the dust pollution setting goes, the filters come from the factory set at 4 and it is recommended you leave them at 4 unless you are aware of extremes of clean or dirty air. So assuming the dust index of 4, the pre-filter will last between 2.5 and 18.25 months. You can monitor the remaining life in hours of each of your IQAir filters from the control panel on your unit. You can also program your IQAir unit to turn on or off, set it to a particular fan speed, and activate it via a timer. See all the air purifiers at Allergybuyersclub.com
Hamilton Beach Humidifier Reviewed By Mercia Tapping 
After the Hunter humidifier 3.5 gallon manufacturer’s recall, we have been testing various humidifier brands. No manufacturer has come up with the perfect humidifier, in my opinion. They all have their drawbacks. This Hamilton Beach 4 Gallon Cool Mist humidifier is no exception. It is very good but does a few minor flaws in my opinion.
Pluses
- These humidifiers are extremely quiet on the low setting known as ‘QuietMist.’ In fact, the noise is barely detectable and satisfies even the most noise sensitive person, such as my husband who hates the noise of appliances in the bedroom.
- The fine mist emitted from the humidifiers doesn’t oversoak everything, and it doesn’t even leave a mist on the windows either.
- This humidifier has a unique built in humidistat, you can set your own desired humidity level between 20%-90% humidification. The manufacturer recommends 50% humidity. I was surprised at how often the desired humidity level was reached, especially because the outside conditions of rain and snow had caused the humidity level to rise in the room naturally without my noticing. If it wasn’t for the humidifier’s automatic humidistat, it would have continued to pump mist into the air, and the room would have been over humidified. Over humidification in a room can lead to mold growth. I love this feature on this humidifier.
- The parts on these humidifiers that need to be cleaned are dishwasher safe, and easily disassembled for washing in the dishwasher.
- The water tank sizes are a comfortable size and weight to carry and place back into the humidifier upon each refill. However I need to add that my husband who is the proverbial clutz, managed to not turn the cap back on tightly and spilt water all over the bedroom floor.
- When I used the automatic humidistat setting, the humidifier turned on and off automatically and used less water and therefore didn’t need to be refilled often. The humidifier actually lasted 6 days without needing a refill, which was unexpected.
Minuses
- The biggest minus in my opinion was the humidifier filter needs replacing about every 3 months depending on use, unlike some competitors which have filters that don’t need replacing. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have spare humidifier filters on hand for convenience.
- When the water tank needs replacing, it’s no problem to remove the container and fill it, but when the tank is full of water, I did feel that it is a bit heavy and awkward to turn it and place it back into the humidifier.
- When the humidifier needs refilling, it has no warning light, although there wasn’t evidence of overheating after the water ran out. I found the lack of a warning light irritating but I then disciplined myself to look at the actual humidity level on a regular basis and when there was a discrepancy, then it was likely the machine needed refilling. I also began to get an idea of how many days the water was likely to last and got into a routine. Because the water tank is smoke color, it’s a bit difficult to see if the water reservoir is in fact empty.
- I hate adding another chore to my routine and having to wash the machine out, although easy to do, is a minus in my book.
Summary The easy to use electronic auto humidistat panel on the Hamilton Beach humidifiers is a feature that gives it an edge over the competition, and the fine mist that is emitted will not oversoak a small space. If you want a very silent machine, Hamilton Beach’s trademarked QuietMist low humidifier setting is just right for the noise sensitive. For people who want a no-brainer, dishwasher safe humidifier that is easy to use and clean, for all my pickiness, I recommend these models highly.
Posted in: Eco Products, Newsletter
