Customer Alert: Sick Car Syndrome Potentially Hazardous to Your Health
26 June 1997
Customer Alert: Sick Car Syndrome Potentially Hazardous to Your Health
New Study Shows Automobile Air Conditioning Systems Incubate
Mold, Fungi and Bacteria Growth
ATLANTA, June 26 -- It may be lurking within the confines of
every automobile without the owner's knowledge. It may smell like last week's
lunch. Either way, sick car syndrome has become a reality and its effects may
be more harmful to the health of passengers than just a distinctive odor.
Recent studies conducted at Georgia State University show the main
mechanism of sick car syndrome is the result of condensation collecting on an
automobile's evaporator. The moist environment tends to harbor fungi, mold
and mildew, which grow within the air system on the coils and foam type
insulation. As air passes over the evaporator it picks up these microbes or
their waste and then enters the passenger compartment through the vents.
These microbes are the potential source of various ailments that the
passengers may exhibit.
Mildew-like odors are released when the air conditioner is activated
following a rest period and in some cases, the odor seems to disappear after a
few seconds or minutes of operation. The odor disappearance is caused by the
occupant's noses acclimating to the smell -- not that the microbes have
disappeared.
* "Sick car syndrome is a symptom that occurs from prolonged exposure to
microbes that grow in automobile interiors," says Myron Stein, President of
AirSept, Inc., an Atlanta-based company whose products treat the effects of
the malady.
According to Stein, "The presence of the microbes causes similar reactions
as sick building syndrome." These include any combination of the following:
* sneezing
* wheezing
* coughing
* eye and mucous membrane irritation
* drowsiness
* chest tightening
"For almost 1O years, AirSept has been conducting breakthrough research to
find an effective means to control the microbe's growth and prevent the
reoccurrence of the problem through development of a product that will last
for an impressive period of time." said Stein. "Too often, quick and short
cures contain perfumes that are more objectionable than the odor itself."
Stein continues, "Besides the readily detectable odor that may or may not
be there, some people will exhibit sick car syndrome symptoms. The symptoms
may appear immediately, two to six hours later, or it may take a year for any
symptoms to develop: a small percentage may never show symptoms."
Stein stated that the cause of the problem is that water gets trapped
inside the air conditioner's evaporator, and in this water are both the
microbes and the food they need to eat. In a short time these unwanted
microbes attach to the walls and fins of the evaporator and start multiplying.
When there are enough colonies growing, the odor they generate may become so
strong that the car's occupants recognize the presence of these unwanted
passengers.
To prevent or deal with sick car syndrome, nine points are being offered
for consumers which list certain steps and measures to be taken including:
1. Make sure where the problem is. If the car has an odor when you enter
it, the problem is inside the car. If you only get an odor when the fan is
on, the problem is most likely in the air conditioner.
2. Remove any leaves or biological mass from the windshield cowling or air
intake system.
3. Dry any ice, water, milk or liquid spills inside the car.
4. Check for any stale food inside the car.
5. After shampooing the car's carpet, dry it thoroughly before you close
the windows.
6. Check the trunk for any water leaks including the spare tire well.
7. When purchasing a used vehicle, ask the dealer to disinfect the car and
it' air conditioning system. By using the product available at the dealership
from OEMs, including product available from NAPA and other sources, you are
assured that any presence of bacteria and/or odor which comes from or is
within the AC system will be eliminated.
8. Consult with the automotive dealer's service department if and when an
odor problem persists. They should be up to date on what are approved
solutions to problems that might develop within the air conditioning system.
9. Make certain they employ an OEM-approved product that lasts at least
one year.
Laboratory and field tests have confirmed that AirSept air conditioner
treatment's formula will control the regrowth of the bacteria and fungi for a
year or longer.
* The impact of sick car syndrome is something that all the world's auto
manufacturers are actively concerned with and have devoted an enormous amount
of resources to learn how to control. Most automotive manufacturers worldwide
are working with AirSept. Major auto makers now have the AirSept solution
readily available to their customers through their dealer network.
AirSept is the world-wide leader in solving automotive air conditioning
odor problems. The secret for AirSept's long life is the combination of an
acrylic coating that contains a non-soluble EPA registered ingredient that
does not evaporate -- thus the treatment never comes in contact with the
occupants of the passenger compartment. All materials meet and exceed all
federal and state laws, rules, regulations and requirements. It is currently
the only long lasting treatment on the market approved to deal with sick car
syndrome.
AirSept products are available through most major franchised new car
dealers and NAPA Four Seasons.
For the part numbers of these manufacturers and any applicable Technical
Service Bulletins, customers can access a Web site operated by the Clean Air
Council at http://www.ac-ac.com.
For more information on AirSept, please call the Odor Hotline at
(800) 999-1051.
SOURCE AirSept Inc.