In the market place anti-asthma and allergy friendly products is a 10 billion dollar a year industry. This amount does not even include medication, only consumer products that are non-medicinal in nature are included. This is the reason why a wide range of products from toys to beddings, carpet cleaning vacuums to stand alone air cleaners are marketed each year. Each product’s selling point may vary from being suitable for people with asthmas and allergies to dispelling allergen accumulation and some better overall heath. The challenge is the absence of a government set standard for such products. Since that is the case a well known nonprofit organization combating asthma and allergic ailments, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America thought it best to methodically test and recognize consumer goods that are better suited for individuals with allergies and asthma and set standards to protect consumers.

An area that households would be interested in when it comes to asthma and allergy prevention is of course cleaning. Carpet cleaning is a facet of household cleaning that parents and even single individuals take seriously as there are many vacuum cleaners claiming to better help asthma and allergy prevention. The AAFA vacuum cleaner standard includes testing in 1. Removing allergen-containing dust from carpets 2. Airborne allergen levels while vacuuming 3. integrity of the unit’s air filtration system as well as 4. Individual’s exposure to allergens when he or she is emptying the dust holder or bag change. If the vacuum cleaner has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap tiny particles there is a greater probability that it does positively impact asthma and allergy prevention. For a list of vacuum cleaners that the AAFA has already certified go to their webiste asthmaandallergyfriendly.com