The latest issue of Retrofit Magazine features a blog by Anna O’Donovan on the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program

Published in CEPro Magazine, this article written by Dr. Anna O’Donovan, describes how indoor air quality standards can make all the difference when choosing indoor air quality solutions for healthier homes

Are Allergens Underfoot in Your Facility? An article by ASL COO Jenifer Whelan, featured in Cleaning and Maintenance Magazine

When journalists are in need of an expert on indoor air quality they are increasingly turning to our Science Lead Dr. Gráinne Cunniffe

National Healthy Homes Month serves as a reminder of the vital role indoor air quality plays in our overall well-being. By understanding the impact of poor indoor environments and taking proactive measures to improve air quality, we can safeguard the health of our families.

Pollen screens offer a plethora of benefits – they not only help reduce pollen indoors but also allow for natural ventilation, are energy efficient, versatile and convenient.

In a market crowded by generic marketing jargon and claims, what can a genuine third party certification offer?

The concept of ESG means striving to find a balance between economic results, transparency, social interests and the environment…how can Trade Shows achieve this?

This generation demands sustainability and the prioritizing of health without the greenwashing and we are here to help

This generation demands sustainability and the prioritizing of health without the greenwashing and we are here to help

Many people can be allergic to dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens that can build up in bedding, clothes, and other washable items at home. Taking care of these items by washing them regularly is a fundamental part of maintaining a healthy home environment.

Dr. Emer Duffy, Science Lead at Allergy Standards Ltd., is the lead author of the recently published, highly relevant paper entitled ‘Colorimetric Sensing of Volatile Organic Compounds Produced from Heated Cooking Oils’ which describes the use of a simple, cost-effective and easy-to-visualise method for the detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

CERTIFIED Pure Safety® High Performance Insulation from Owens Corning has received the 2021 “Green Innovation of the Year Award”

Electronic equipment is fundamental to supporting a healthier indoor environment. From air cleaners to vacuum cleaners and air conditioners to dehumidifiers, these pieces of equipment can operate to clean, remove allergens and contribute to a comfortable indoor air environment. The certification of consumer products is an informative and essential way to communicate a range of functions and compliance characteristics.

The skin is the largest organ in the body and is the one that is most exposed to external factors. As a consumer it can be very difficult to know whether a textile has had a particular finish, and even more so to know what chemicals were used to deliver this finish. In order to provide consumers with a signpost for textiles that may be more suitable for them and the environment, a number of certification programs have been established

Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are molecules containing carbon which are predominantly in the gaseous state at room temperature.This article will present the possible sources of indoor VOCs, how VOCs impact on people with asthma and allergy and discuss the ability of air cleaners to reduce VOCs in the indoor environment.

Air conditioners can play a significant role in good indoor air quality. Greater asthma morbidity – specifically a larger number of hospitalizations, wheezing episodes and night symptoms due to asthma – have been associated with the presence of moisture, mildew and cockroach allergen in homes. Air conditioners provide a dual function of controlling temperature and relative humidity in home environments, as well as potential removal of allergens.

Dr. John Ryan, Chief Strategy Officer at Allergy Standards in Archetech magazine discusses the value of third party certification and the responsibility on those in the building and design industry to prioritise health and wellbeing

It is a common statistic when talking about the quality of indoor air, that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors. The origin of that statistic was a study by the US Environmental Protection Agency back in 19891. The importance of this is the nature of the contained environment of the home; in the move towards greater environmental sustainability, homes have become more energy efficient and more tightly sealed. While this provides a better environmental impact, it also means that the air in the home does not become renewed through passage of fresh air.

Bloomberg article discusses the future of cars and car cabin air purifiers, citing Mercedes Benz as the first car manufacturers to install CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® car cabin filters. 

NBC News describes the differences between air filters, air cleaners and air purifiers and the benefits of having one in your home. The Dyson air purifier recommended in the article is CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly®

John McKeon, MD, CEO of Allergy Standards, talks to Well+Good about good indoor air quality and its importance as part of a healthy home. Two of the three best air purifiers chosen by the author are CERTIFIED by Allergy Standards.

Allergy Standards Limited(ASL) is pleased to announce that their Project Manager, Gildas Guionnet has become a National Participant of the European Committee for Electrical Standardization (CENELEC) and member of the TC 59X/WG 06 Committee for Surface cleaning appliances (Vacuum Cleaners), through the British Standards Institution (BSI).

The global textile sector is enormous; in 2018 the value of the US textile sector was $78 billion and employed over 550,000 workers1. In 2017 China produced 79 billion metres of cloth2; that’s enough to go to the moon and back 100 times!

Textiles and clothes are a fundamental part of our everyday life however they also provide an excellent material for micro-organisms to grow on. Measures to prevent microbial growth on textiles and fabrics dates back to Egyptian times when mummy wraps were preserved using herbs and spices3.  Since then bamboo has been used in housing structures and design in China and in World War II a range of chemicals were used to impart antimicrobial activity to tents, tarpaulins and truck covers4. Prevention of microbial attack is essential for durability of the textile, in addition to potential use in prevention of transmission of disease.

Allergy Standards is now a member of the Consumer Technology Association – ‘where the people, policies and insights of innovation come together’

Beijing’s air quality hovers around the ‘unhealthy’ category for much of the year. The perfect storm of millions of cars, noxious fumes from factories and coal powered industry combines with the city’s geography : Beijing is built on a flat landscape and surrounded by mountains so if there is no wind to blow away the smog, it hangs over the city like a shroud

January wrapped up with our partners Congoleum, Guardsman, and SureFit showcasing their CERTIFIED products at the International Surface Event,and Winter Market in Las Vegas, Nevada.

We are aware and lucky enough to be educated on pollutants and allergens, toxins and poisons so that the indoor air quality in our homes promotes health and wellbeing. Large corporations have come to realise that the health of their employees directly effects their bottom line and that their reputation worldwide really matters.

Myths or misinformation – the consequences of believing them when it comes to asthma and allergies can range from ignorance to downright dangerous.

It’s a scary thing being diagnosed with a lifelong illness. Here are some myths that you may come across that may worry you.

Ingersoll Rand introduces future climate company, Trane Technologies, elevating market leading Trane® brand and celebrating the power of technological innovation.

Key takeaways from the 2019 World Allergy Congress in Lyon, France, attended by Allergy Standards’ Head of International Sales.

Car manufacturers have recently been taking steps to reduce that new car smell and indeed in the future we may be reminiscing about it to our kids.

Today, by using advanced technology, the most modern machines can confidently remove allergens ensuring a healthier laundry.

Air is one of the most fundamental requirements for life and air filters can be an excellent way to improve air quality, indoors and on the go.

Pollution, climate change, antibiotics, deficiency in vitamin D, sedentary lifestyle, hygiene hypothesis…what causes the rise of asthma and allergy rates?

Air pollution inside our houses can be quite detrimental for babies’ wellbeing, this is why a CERTIFIED air purifier is important.

A human could last up to 3-4 days without water and just 3-4 minutes without air, this is how important healthy air is to us.

Hotel magazine recommending to use CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® products and especially the Sanitaire® EON™ ALLERGEN Commercial Upright Vacuum. 

The health effects of poor indoor air quality impact both students and their teachers so what are the key aspects for a healthier indoor air in schools?

We spend most of our lives in our homes and many of us have realised that ensuring our homes are healthy is paramount to our general health.

Health US News recommends using Certified bedding scientifically tested by Allergy Standards to avoid indoor allergies during the summer.

Allergies are the most common health problems affecting children in the US and more than 50 million Americans experience an allergy of some type each year.

Great article featuring the best recommendations from Asthma Canada to clean the air in your home and reduce potential irritants.

The second of a two-part article on the development of an allergy and asthma management plan for the home, controlling of exposure to allergens through their removal or treatment.

With the continuous information provided to consumers about the allergen content of their food, why is it that we don’t receive similar information about the allergen content of non-food product?

ASL recently attended the IFAI Expo to learn about advanced techniques in textile testing, sourcing, and manufacturing.

Ahead of our attendance at day 2 of the New York Home Fashions Market September 2017 meeting I thought I would review a paper we produced some time back about textiles & allergies.

On our recent trip to Canada to meet with certification clients, Dr. John McKeon took time out to meet with Neil Cooney, the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Ireland.

From March 27 – March 30 the Certification & ASL Team went to New York to attend New York Home Fashions Market Spring 2017, meeting with clients, attending industry seminars and speaking with key retailers.