unknown, did not save box. Invoice calls product HON24000 filters

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Seen by a doctor or nurse

   Made Aug 28, 2012 · , sent to the company Sep 19, 2012 · , published by CPSC Oct 3, 2012

   The product, in the report: The product is a new HEPA filter insert (HON24000) for my 10-yr old [REDACTED] air purifier. I purchased the product from Amazon.com, and their supplier was AllergyBeGone (866-234-6630). The product came with a small identifying sticker: RPS Products / BestAir / 847-683-3400. The new HEPA filter insert is white overall, and donut-shaped about 16-in in diameter and 12-in tall. The interior hole diameter is about 10 inches. The product is flat on top and bottom, and covered on top and bottom with what looks like white rubber. The inner and outer sides of the product are covered with what looks like clear/white plastic mesh. Inside the mesh is what looks like close-folded vertical folds of stiff white porous paper.

   I purchased a new HEPA filter insert ([REDACTED]) and charcoal pre-filter (HON38002) for my old [REDACTED] air purifier. The products came from AllergyBeGone (866-234-6630) via Amazon.com. I am reporting the HEPA filter insert (HON24000) as unsafe. It came with a small identifying sticker: RPS Products / BestAir / 847-683-3400. The new HEPA filter insert is white overall. All previous HEPA filter inserts I have purchased for the air purifier have been black outside. I first used the new HEPA filter on 8/13/12.

   I have operated my air purifier with the new HEPA filter in place three times. All three times when I turned on the unit I immediately noticed a strong organic chemical sort of smell, a smell too objectionable for me to remain in the room. Never before have I experienced any sort of smell when using the air purifier (I have owned it since it was new, perhaps more than 10 years ago, and have purchased and used several replacement HEPA filters and charcoal pre-filters through the years).

   I ran the air purifier for 3 hours each time on two different days and in two different rooms. The smell was just as strong after each time, so I turned off the air purifier, opened the windows and, after a time, was able to return to the room. On both occasions the next morning I awoke with a sore throat, which was gone by later that morning.

   A third time I ran the air purifier in my bedroom for 1-1/2 days while I was out of town. The same strong smell was immediately present, and remained as strong after 1-1/2 days of operation. I turned off the air purifier, opened the windows and, after a time, was able to return to the room. I later went to bed in the room. The next morning I again awoke with a sore throat, but this time by midday I was experiencing such low energy that I spent much of the rest of the day lying down. I developed a runny nose and scratchy throat during that day. All my symptoms worsened over the next several days, and I developed a significant cough and experienced much-interrupted sleep as well.

   One week after the 1-1/2 days of running, with continuing bad cough and very low energy, I realized that if the replacement HEPA filter were related to my symptoms, perhaps my paper hepa furnace filter had picked up contaminants and was continuing to spread them through my home. I replaced the furnace filter with a new paper hepa furnace filter and, on lying back down, had the sense of breathing more easily for 20 minutes or so (though I had not previously been aware of breathing difficulty). That same evening I had more energy and my cough had improved. I noticed significant improvement in both by the next morning, though my energy level was still at perhaps 50% of normal. After two more days I realized that though I had washed my sheets since the 1-1/2 days use of the air purifier in my bedroom, they had not been washed since I changed the furnace filter (my sheets are left open to the air during the day, and the air conditioning ceiling air ducts in the bedroom discharge directly onto them). I washed the sheets and that night my sleep was dramatically improved.

   Now three days later I am still experiencing fatigue – improved though still significant – I spend much of each day lying down. I sought help from my medical doctor yesterday, and it was her opinion that I am dealing with a two-fold trouble: a viral infection AND the effects of using the HEPA filter. I sincerely hope that no one else will need to suffer such effects.

   Model

   HON24000 replacement filter for [REDACTED]

   Bought from

   Amazon.com with AllergyBeGone.com supplier, New Jersey

   Bought

   Aug 13, 2012

   Where

   Baltimore, Maryland: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 53, Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand unknown, did not save box. Invoice calls product HON24000, made or sold by RPS PRODUCTS, INC.

   Reports CPSC links to it

   20120914-932F3-1272628

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Seen by Medical Professional

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources