Original Miele vacuum cleaner AirClean Filter-bags and certified HEPA filters outperform knock-off brands
Article by Lori Dolnick
Princeton, NJ – June 2010 – Alarming findings in a recent study commissioned by Miele, the leading German manufacturer of advanced filtration vacuum cleaners and household appliances, offers scientific evidence that generic knock-off HEPA filters and dustbags are not effective at capturing and retaining harmful fine particles that may trigger allergy and asthma attacks.The study proves using a generic HEPA filter and dustbag in place of genuine Miele replacement components seriously compromises indoor air quality by spewing 2.385 million lung damaging particles per minute into the air – 288x more than original Miele parts – effectively polluting the air for hours after the vacuum is turned off. Moreover, the poorly designed generic products reduce the vacuum’s airflow, undermining cleaning performance by more than 12%. “Since introducing our first HEPA Sealed System vacuum cleaner more than 15 years ago, millions of households have trusted Miele vacuums for their quality construction, powerful performance and advanced filtration system to safeguard their indoor air,” says Nadine Gast, Senior Product Manager for Miele. “Using generic or counterfeit dustbags and HEPA filters in a Miele vacuum would almost be criminal and, as the data certainly concludes, puts everyone in the home at great risk as millions of lung damaging particles remain suspended in the air for hours.”
Indoor Air Health ConcernsAccording to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution is a huge concern for everyone, not just those suffering from respiratory conditions like asthma, allergies or emphysema. Especially considering that 90% of our time is spent indoors with pollution levels that are reported to be two to five times greater than outdoor air. The EPA further identifies vacuum cleaners as an unsuspected, but dangerous polluter since fine particulate matter – such as those emitted from poorly sealed and filtered vacuums – are linked to adverse health effects including chronic bronchitis and premature death. http://www.epa.gov/
Fine particulate matter is so small it suspends invisibly in the air where we breathe. For example, tobacco smoke ranges in size from.01 to 1 micron. In fact, fine particles measuring 0.3-0.5 microns in size have a greater likelihood of being deeply inhaled into the lungs, where they can be absorbed into the bloodstream or remain embedded in lung tissue for extended periods of time. The average person breathes in about 16,000 quarts of air per day. Each quart contains some 70,000 visible and invisible particles. That’s over a billion particles per day that the lungs must filter out. Children breathe in 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults do – making them more susceptible.
The StudyMiele commissioned Interbasic Resources (IBR), a nationally recognized research laboratory, to conduct an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) emissions test comparing the performance of their original HEPA filter and filtering dustbag to generic knock-off brands that claim they are made for Miele vacuum cleaners. The test involved placing a device on the vent of the vacuum that measures dust particles emitted from each machine while ingesting ASTM specified material that mocks typical household dirt, dust and allergens. The results prove that the Miele vacuum, with its Sealed System engineering, equipped with authentic Miele replacement Filter-bag and certified HEPA filter, had a significantly lower rate of particle emission. “In fact, the generic brand seriously compromised the performance of the system, allowing 288x more particles to be released into the air. Using genuine Miele HEPA filters and AirClean Filter-bags will prevent this and are now proven to be the best option for those customers who are concerned about the air quality in their home,” concludes Gast.
The AirClean Filter-bag AdvantageUnique features to the AirClean Filter-bag include:➢ A nine-layer fortress of durable electrostatic fiber that holds on to fine particles that can easily leak through other bags. ➢ A spring-loaded collar made of durable plastic that snaps shut upon removal so that no dust can escape. Open bags and bagless bins are an environmental hazard when emptying into the garbage. Dust poured from a bin transmits fine particles right back into the air. The same holds true for any open bag that’s pushed into a garbage bag.
About Miele Vacuum CleanersMiele is the world’s largest family owned and operated appliance company, founded in 1899, and a leading maker of quality vacuums – legendary for their powerful performance, advanced filtration and brilliant design details that set the standard for floor care and cleaning.Miele’s long heritage of vacuum firsts dates back 83 years to the use of Bakelite as a sound dampener in 1927, the advent of convenient integrated tools and stunning fashion colors in the 1960s to the world’s first HEPA-certified vacuums in the 1990s. Throughout the century, these award-winning advances have established Miele as the “must-have” status vacuum – hailed as “so smart it could start its own Mensa chapter” and “it’s like the BMW of vacuum cleaners.”Beyond the frequent accolades, design awards and sleek good looks, Miele continues to focus on making vacuuming easier through patented new technologies like the S7 SwivelNeck as well as longer cords, automatic flooring sensors, powerful Vortex Motor Systems and silence settings. Miele’s passion for quality and innovation has resulted in a vacuum that excels not only in cleaning performance, but also in the area of filtration. According to recent independent tests, there’s no other vacuum on the planet that removes dust, dirt and allergens as efficiently as a Miele canister or upright. Miele’s unique combination of AirClean Filter-bagÂ, HEPA filter and Sealed System design is 99.99% effective in capturing lung-damaging particles. The key to this design is its hygienic self-closing AirClean Filter-bag whose revolutionary multi-ply filtering material helps homeowners dispose of the captured particles without coming in contact with them.For more information about Miele, please visit http://www.mieleusa.com or call 800-843-7231 x2540.
About the Author
Lori Dolnick is a professional spokesperson and an award winning writer in the home industry for over 15 years. A contributing editor to many design blogs, she has written for House Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, American Dream Homes, Kitchen + Bath Business and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Woman’s Day and more.