Air freshener / purifier - suggestions?

[caseyc]

I have seasonal allergies that make me sneeze from whatever is growing out there. Spring time is the worst, but I seem to be suffering all year round nowadays. Allergies make my nose run and feeling miserable sometimes.

Anyone have recommendations on a portable device that can clean the air inside a van to make the air cleaner and hopefully improve my allergy condition? Something that is compact and can run on 12 volts would be nice.

 

[ice_maiden]

I have not used this but it looks like Roadpro makes a 12v version,

http://www.amazon.com/Road-Purifier-IonizerMini-12-Volt-Ionizer/dp/B001CSAVDK

I have the same problem but usually take half a Zyrtec about every 3-4 days. End of problem.

Although I might have to try one of these.

 

[Zil]

It has been my experience there is no portable filter that will really work well for hay fever type allergies. At the worst time I use a Benydrel or something like it. Mostly I use Ocean brand nasal spray. Just salt water, in a pocket size squeeze spray bottle.

 

[blueberry]

A small one like the RoadPro ionizer might not be a problem, but I've read that ionizers can cause health problems. You're not supposed to be in the room when they are on, so definitely not in a vehicle. They also accelerate off-gassing of chemicals (lots of chems in vans, especially converted ones.)

My friend has a small HEPA filter in her car, and swears by it. Here's an inexpensive example: http://www.allergyasthmatech.com/P/Vapor_Eze_Clean_Air_5000_HEPA_Air_Cleaner/1372

 

[Duck]

Simplest solution: fresh air intake from somewhere, hepa filter on it before it enters the van. keep positive pressure with a low speed low power fan, and you have clean air leaking out anywhere, not contaminated air coming it. Low flow rates are Ok if it runs all the time I think. Larger computer fan+home built box to hold a filter before the fan(this way any small leaks draw air from the van back in, a fan pushing before the filter will push contaminated air out into van).

 

[peacetara]

I don't know how well it works for allergies, since none of my allergies are scent related, but I found this product called 'Moso natural' (website here: http://www.mosonatural.com ). Ferdy is 72 sq feet, I bought the 90sq feet version, it really helps! I think it's just bamboo charcoal, so maybe someone can make it themselves, I have no idea, but this little bag, as long as it's in the path of airflow, makes a huge difference in smells, moisture, etc. Supposed to last 2 years if you put it in direct sunlight once a month.

Again, I don't know how it will work for allergens, but if it works as well as it does for smells, then it would work really well!

With Love,
Tara

 

[caseyc]

Thanks for your input everyone! I ended up ordering these 2 items below to use in the van. Hopefully this will help.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GLCW90/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EPKY9C/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Zil]

The various ionic air purifiers work by generating small amounts of ozone, like in a thunder storm. They either use a small spark or ultraviolet light (black light). None seem to hurt but also don't do much. The charcoal bag is activated carbon, the coconut is more expensive and better acting. Blowing air past should help adsorb odors, it works better to remove stuff from water. You can buy quantities from water treatment suppliers. Sew your own bags.

 

[Ilyana]

I can't recommend an air purifier, but I've had good luck using homeopathic remedies for allergies, this one is especially good <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...eASIN=B0014ATEI4&linkCode=as2&tag=jewealch-20">BHI/Heel - Allergy - 100 Tablets</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jewealch-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0014ATEI4" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />and this one is also good <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...eASIN=B00014DSPE&linkCode=as2&tag=jewealch-20">Boiron - Sabadil, 60 tablets</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jewealch-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00014DSPE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />.

I like homeopathics because they work, there's no drug interactions, and they're safe for pets too.

Many people find taking Nettle herb capsules (or infusion) to be helpful. The infusion tastes pretty good, and it is a good overall tonic. Also local honey, you want the raw stuff with the pollen in it, it ought to look a bit waxy.

 

[owl]

You might think about opening the windows

 

[hippiechk]

I hope those new units work for you...let us know? I have serious chemical sensitivities as well as seasonal allergies and as far as my vehicle I love the onboard hepa filters in my van although they are a real PITA to change.

 

[MrNoodly]

Unless you plan on never coming out of your van, filters are kind of pointless. The moment you open the door, poof, all your filtration efforts are gone. Even if you want to filter the air just for sleeping, you'd need to confine yourself to your van a while before bedtime in order to give the filters time to do their thing. And if you keep using the van's engine to heat the van, you're sucking in pollen and dust laden outside air.

For what it's worth, my allergy problems have decreased greatly since coming to the desert. Way fewer growing things giving off pollen.

 

[jeanontheroad]

I'm allergic to just about everything, including dogs. This time around, we chose a dog breed that is supposed to be easy on allergies. That seems to be working. I am looking forward to being in the dry southwest, where I expect significantly less pollen.

 

[caseyc]

Thought I'd give an update here. I've been using these 2 devices now for several weeks in my van. I even used these 2 items while at Quartzsite RTR in the Arizona desert for a week.

Bottom line is that I can't tell positively if these devices are noticeably improving things for me or not. I'm sure that's also because I do things like roll down the windows constantly, plus open the doors all the time as well.

Maybe it's more psychological than anything else. I *want* to believe these items are helping me breath better. A lot of times, simply a change in environment does me the most good, in addition to lots of Claritin.

My seasonal/year-round allergies are hard to predict. Sometimes I feel miserable in an indoor environment, but I feel better going outside. Other times I feel miserable in the morning, but better in the evening, or the other way around.

It's so unpredictable that it drives me batty sometimes. Oh well, I don't know what to do. I'll just keep chugging along.

Casey

Thanks for your input everyone! I ended up ordering these 2 items below to use in the van. Hopefully this will help.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GLCW90/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EPKY9C/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MrNoodly]

Quartzsite in winter probably isn't a good test of air purifiers, unless you're bothered by dust and dirt. There's no pollen this time of year. Of course, there's always the possibility you're allergic to gadgets.

 

[TheMadTitan]

I can't recommend an air purifier, but I've had good luck using homeopathic remedies for allergies, this one is especially good <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...eASIN=B0014ATEI4&linkCode=as2&tag=jewealch-20">BHI/Heel - Allergy - 100 Tablets</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jewealch-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0014ATEI4" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />and this one is also good <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...eASIN=B00014DSPE&linkCode=as2&tag=jewealch-20">Boiron - Sabadil, 60 tablets</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jewealch-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00014DSPE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />.

I like homeopathics because they work, there's no drug interactions, and they're safe for pets too.

Many people find taking Nettle herb capsules (or infusion) to be helpful. The infusion tastes pretty good, and it is a good overall tonic. Also local honey, you want the raw stuff with the pollen in it, it ought to look a bit waxy.

I don't know if you'll see this Ilyana, but a substance being "homeopathic" does not mean it won't have interactions. They are still chemicals, and they can still have some nasty interactions. Just a word of caution. Just because it's labeled as a "remedy" or and "herbal supplement" doesn't change the chemistry. If you buy anything from a company that makes those claims on the packaging I would be extremely suspect of them.

 

[Ilyana]

I don't know if you'll see this Ilyana, but a substance being "homeopathic" does not mean it won't have interactions. They are still chemicals, and they can still have some nasty interactions. Just a word of caution. Just because it's labeled as a "remedy" or and "herbal supplement" doesn't change the chemistry. If you buy anything from a company that makes those claims on the packaging I would be extremely suspect of them.

I've studied and successfully used homeopathics (and many herbs as well) for over 20 years, and had very good results personally and so I feel confident in having the required knowledge to use them correctly. Homeopathic remedies are nothing like herbal supplements, and both require skillful use and study before using, hopefully one would also consult a professional if you're a beginner.

Thanks for the warning though.