Talking Allergies

My husband and I got one of these about 6 months ago, and we really like it. We bought it while we were still living in an apartment that had a huge mould problem, and I was on 2 inhalers and waking up several times in the night not being able to breathe. Since we got it, I don't even use my Ventalin (sp?) anymore, except for when I go outside and it is really cold.

Do any of you have air cleaners?

I won't use ionizers or ozone generators. I won't go into why, but the EPA and Consumer Reports both have plenty of good articles. I don't know what Canada's provincial departments provide, otherwise I'd link them

I use a Honeywell air filtration unit--it has a charcoal prefilter and a HEPA standard internal filter. It makes a considerable difference with environmental allergies, especially dust mites and pollen.

ygg

_________________
~*~*~ That which does not kill me only gives me hives. ~*~*~

Yikes! I'll go do some research.

I use these black things that collect the ions and you wipe them clean
They are pretty good.
Will there be some things at the Allergy Expo?

We saw the Pediatric Respirologist a few weeks past and I asked him about the benefits of:
Central Air- Great, conditions the air to remove humidity decreasing moods. Encourages windows are kept closed decreasing pollens.

Airfilters- Good, removes the allergen particles suspended in the air. Does nothing for dustmites in the bedding. You still have to dust,lol.

Ionizers- "Don't waste your money! "

Please don't use the ionizers...when researching this topic we found them to be more of a...well lets say they are like magnetic braclets LOL. Anyways with advice from doctors, allergists and people who have asthma and allergies the HONEYWELL...as stated above is rated the best. We have 2...one for the livingroom and one in the bedroom. We noticed a difference right away with them. It can be expensive to change the filters...the Hepa is about every 2-3 years and the charcoal I change every few months. But there is not cleaner out there that works better.
Sue

Sue90 and everyone else:
So basicly the Indoor things I bought some years back I are not good.
They are shaped like a triangle and the negative ionsc collect the dirt in the air according to the booklet and they also have the postive ions and act like a magnetic.
"they are suppose to remove particles as small as .001 microns to as large as 1000 microns. "quote from the small book that came with it.
EPA suggetted criteria is not good either.........
There is even a space for prescription in the booklet.
So you are saying "They " ( in abroad sense of the word, I do not want say what they are ) are like a gimmick I can not remeber what you call it- like the old movies and you see the con guy with the person who says this is good and they leave the town after the demo.......So to speak..............

I did not think they looked after dust mites that is a whole other issue.

I could not belive all stuff at their site.

The filter I linked to in my first post had a stamp of approval on it from the Asthma Association of Canada. That's one of the reasons my husband wanted to buy it.

What about the air conditioner in cars?
Good or bad? Is there a filter we can change in it?

My two ioners filter things were in the AAIA's book and that is where I got the idea.
I think next time I will look at the more expensive way to this air cleaning of my Home.

There was a guy at the expo selling the hepa car filters...he said you can get them at Canadian tire for cars no older than 98 I believe. He gave me his card and told me to email him for a free filter...I did. Haven't got the filter yet but am going to C.T. to see just what they are worth.
Sue

Thanks I'll look into it.

I got a HEPA air purifier last night. It was a Honeywell 'quiet' one. If it's a quiet one, I'd hate to hear one not labelled as quiet!! haha Does anyone know if putting a HEPA filter on the furnace would achieve the same results as a room one? Also, I already have an electronic air cleaner on my furnace. Do you think adding the HEPA would make much difference?

I use a HEPA filter.

As others have mentioned, the ionizers (endorsed or not) have a fair bit of literature showing that there may be problems in exposing asthmatic individuals to ozone. There's also a question as to how well many of the devices work.

HEPA filters are very effective at cleaning the air, and don't release ozone. They are a bit noisier, but on the low setting, I barely notice it.

More info. here:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appl ... /index.htm