Indoor Air Quality Standards

If you are one of millions of people world wide that suffer from allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions, you may want to consider checking out the accomodation facilities at the Hilton O’Hare, Chicago USA.

In 2005, it was one of the first hotels of it’s kind in the US to take it’s indoor air quality standards to task. Located close to the O’Hare Airport, it offered healthier “allergy resistant” rooms for it’s guests afflicted with sensitivities and reactions to dust, mould and chemicals.

Research by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found 75% to 85% of asthmatics have positive reactions to skin tests of house dust. Common house dust is composed of many asthma and allergy triggers such as animal danders, moulds, spores, pollen, dust mites, cockroach allergens. The triggers can aggravate repsiratory problems including asthma, phlegm in throat, runny and blocked nose as well as coughing and sneezing.

The pilot project involved designing special rooms for the Hilton by Nicholas Nardella from Environmental Technology Solutions, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA. It involved gutting and then retro-fitting two rooms with environemntally friendly products and materials.

Everything contributing to poor indoor air quality was addressed. Standard carpeting was replaced with hardwood flooring, easier to clean and minimise dust. Door hardware, plumbing fixtures and other frequently touched areas were coated with an anti-bacterial coating to eliminate germs.

All paint, adhesives, coatings and furniture were free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gases. Fabrics such as furniture and drapes were manufactured with a Environment Protection Agency (EPA) approved materials. The wall paper is perforated to prevent moisture from getting trapped and breeding mould.

Air purification systems were set up in each room, collecting 99% of airborne particles and gases. A monitoring system allowed the hotel to maintain proper levels of odours, gases, carbon monoxide, humidity and temeperature, minute by minute. Mr Nardella said “If for example house keeping walked in and started using ammonia or another cleaner that off-gases, the hotel would know in 10 minutes, instead of days later.”

Mr Nardella added there was a “premium” initial cost for the construction upgrades. He did not offer a figure at the request of the hotel but did say that the chain expected a return on it’s initial investment in less than two years. The rooms were rented virtually every night and booked far in advance.

Hilton is looking to expand the pilot program to include 500 rooms across 10 cities. Source: Reed Business Information (US) 2005

Mitey Fresh Dehumidifier hire removes moisture from the air when you need it most and provides a drier environment preventing mould growth. If mould is present, mould removal includes removing musty-smelling furniture, as well as damp and or old carpets as these are often breeding and feeding grounds for mould. Improve indoor air quality with Mitey Fresh dehumidifiers for sale Australia wide.

Further mould and allergy relief, stop and prevent mould in cupboards and wardrobes with Dampp Chaser storage dehumidifiers and natural damp rid products such as Zeolite Australia wide and out doing the indoor air quality standards for the benefit of you and your family.

Click here to BUY a dehumidifier

Click here to HIRE a dehumidifier

Click here to see our range of stop mould products