Consumer Reports Slam Air Purifiers -- Again (NY Times Magazine)

January 23, 2006

Mates,

Here's a link to what I've wanted to say about so-called 'Air Purifiers' for a

long time -- but the NY Times Magazine has taken care of it -- and to a much

larger audience. The first two paragraphs are here so you get an idea of what

the article is about. To view the rest, click on the link below or above.

If you don't already use NY Times , you will need to register. Don't worry,

I've been a member for years and they have never misused my information, ever.

" Getting Through the Filter - by ROB WALKER

" October 2003, Consumer Reports published an evaluation of various products that

promised to clean indoor air, offering allergy relief and generally better

breathing. The magazine (published by Consumers Union, a nonprofit that dates to

1936) had tested such devices before and found little to applaud but noted that

they continued to enjoy " brisk sales " partly because of " concerns about

allergies and indoor air contaminants, coupled with heightened worries over

terrorism. " The 2003 report was particularly tough on Sharper Image, " the

champion of air-cleaner marketing, " giving the lowest marks in categories like

dust- and smoke-removal to its Ionic Breeze product, which the magazine called

flat-out " ineffective. " Sharper Image sued Consumers Union for defamation. This

set the stage for an interesting examination of the relationship between

consumers and brands at a time when that relationship is widely believed to be

in flux.

" In 2004, a California judge dismissed the defamation suit, and early last year

Sharper Image agreed to cover Consumers Union's legal costs. A few months later,

Consumer Reports published a new look at " ionizing " air cleaners contending that

some of these products not only do little to clean the air but also " can expose

you to potentially harmful ozone levels. " This time Sharper Image did not sue,

but its C.E.O. called the report " irresponsible, " and the company maintains that

the Ionic Breeze has never emitted unsafe levels of ozone. Late in 2005,

Consumer Reports came out with its latest round of tests, again slamming the

latest Sharper Image Ionic Breeze model. " If you own one, " the magazine advised,

" try returning it for a refund. " "

Good reading!

Cyn

Coulter Mulvihill SBN171909

Monday Morning Mold

Hyde Mulvihill APC

216 W. Foothill Blvd (91016)

PO Box 1007

Monrovia CA 91017-1007

(626) 358-7471 Fax: (626) 358-2894

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