Amway's Atmosphere Becomes The First Air Cleaner Certified Asthma and Allergy friendly
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 10 February 2009 12:27
- Written by Amway Watch
WASHINGTON, Feb 10, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- The growing asthma & allergy friendly(TM) Certification Program announced today that it has developed and adopted a certification standard and testing protocol for HEPA Air Cleaning Devices. The asthma & allergy friendly(TM) Certification Program administered by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) in partnership with the international research organization, Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), is an independent, non-exclusive certification program created to scientifically test and identify consumer products that are more suitable for people with asthma and allergies.
The first air cleaner to be Certified asthma & allergy friendly(TM) is the Atmosphere(R) Air Purifier available exclusively through Amway Global(TM) Independent Business Owners, www.amwayglobal.com.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a growing body of scientific evidence indicates that air within homes and other buildings can contain more allergens and pollutants than outdoor air, even in the largest and most industrialized cities. Symptoms caused by poor indoor air quality can include irritated eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma and respiratory allergies, may be triggered by exposure to indoor allergens and irritants. Experts suggest that the use of certain HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter devices may help reduce the level of airborne allergens when used as part of a comprehensive allergen reduction and environmental control plan for home or office.
The asthma & allergy friendly(TM) Certification process subjects air cleaners to performance-based testing to ensure they demonstrate the ability to reduce the total airborne allergen levels in a defined space. Assessment for certification requires that the air cleaner be evaluated in terms of indoor allergen levels that are representative of those found in both air and surface samples of typical homes. The asthma & allergy friendly(TM) Certification Mark is awarded only to those air cleaning products that have been scientifically proven to meet the strict allergen reduction standards set by the program. An abstract of the new certification standard is available online at www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com.
In addition to the use of certified air cleaning devices, allergen reduction tips include banning indoor smoking, minimizing the use of candles and wood fires, using exhaust fans in kitchen, bath, and laundry areas and frequent vacuuming. It is also important not to store or use chemicals, solvents, glues, or pesticides in the house.
About AAFA
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the leading national nonprofit organization fighting asthma and allergic diseases. AAFA provides free information, conducts educational programs, fights for patients' rights, and funds research to find better treatments and cures. www.aafa.org
About ASL
Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) is a physician led global certification company that prepares independent standards for testing a wide range of products to determine their suitability for asthma and allergy patients. ASL's management team possesses specialist skills in a variety of medical fields including asthma and other allergic diseases. www.allergystandards.com
SOURCE: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
