Filtrete™ Healthy Living Air Filters Shown to Be Effective and Economical Choice For Capturing Common Airborne Asthma & Allergy Triggers In the Home
More than 25 million Americans, including many children, suffer from asthma and allergies, causing them to miss work or school and costing millions of dollars in healthcare expenses1. To help reduce exposure to allergy and asthma triggers, many patients implement lifestyle changes, such as washing bedding frequently, using hypo-allergenic pillow cases and HEPA vacuum cleaners, and using high-efficiency air filters in forced heating and cooling systems. While some may question the effectiveness of these changes, a new study published in the August issue of the Journal of Asthma found that using a high-efficiency air filter with a MERV rating of 12 or higher can effectively reduce indoor levels of common airborne asthma and allergy triggers.
The study2 was designed and conducted by Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc., (EH&E) of Needham, Mass. EH&E professionals evaluated the effectiveness of six types of residential air filters at capturing four types of microscopic particles found in indoor air of homes – cat allergen, respiratory virus, and indoor and outdoor fine particulates – all of which can affect indoor air quality and contribute to cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and other asthma symptoms.
“While other studies have addressed ways to manage asthma at home, this is one of the first to evaluate the use of high-efficiency filters as an important part of the solution,” said Dr. David L. MacIntosh, Chief Science Officer with EH&E and Adjunct Associate Professor at the Harvard School of Public Health. “Some asthma interventions can be quite costly, yet this study demonstrates that spending an extra $50 per year for a higher-efficiency filter may have significant impacts on levels of many airborne triggers in the home.”
While effective asthma interventions should include several elements, study results show that the Filtrete Healthy Living Ultra Allergen Reduction and Filtrete Healthy Living Ultimate Allergen Reduction 1-inch air filters captured more than 50 percent of asthma and allergy triggers in a typical home. These filters also were found to be more than nine times as effective as standard fiberglass filters.
Other Relevant Statistics and Facts3:
- Airborne allergen exposures and viral infections are indicated as two major environmental contributors to the development or exacerbation of asthma.
- Americans spend approximately 70% of their time indoors at home.
For additional information on this study, see the full study findings in the Journal of Asthma.
To learn more about Filtrete high-efficiency air filters, visit Filtrete.com.
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Calculated Particle Removal Efficiency |
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| Filter Type | Cat Allergen | Indoor PM 2.5 | Outdoor PM 2.5 | Virus | Annual Cost | |||||
| 1” Fiberglass filter (MERV 1) | 4% | 2% | 1% | 10% | $18 | |||||
| 1” Basic pleated filter (MERV 4) | 19% | 9% | 7% | 41% | $20 | |||||
|
1” Filtrete™ Clean Living |
31% | 22% | 20% | 55% | $40 | |||||
|
1” Filtrete™ Allergen Defense |
46% | 37% | 35% | 70% | $45 | |||||
|
1” Filtrete™ Healthy Living |
59% | 52% | 50% | 80% | $70 | |||||
|
1” Filtrete™ Healthy Living |
73% | 66% | 65% | 90% | $80 | |||||
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3M and Filtrete are trademarks of 3M. © 3M 2014.
1 http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/asthma-statistics.aspx
2 The study, commissioned by 3M, the manufacturer of Filtrete Filters, was conducted for typical single family residences in two geographic locations, to represent varying levels of air quality and ventilation conditions.
3 http://informahealthcare.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/02770903.2014.895011
4 http://informahealthcare.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/02770903.2014.895011
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