AAFA's asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program

AAFA's asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program

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The asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program scientifically tests & identifies products th

The asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program, administered by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) in partnership with the international research organization, Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), is an independent program created to scientifically test and identify consumer products that are more suitable for people with asthma and allergies. Americans spend an estimated $10 billion a year on non-medicinal, consumer products marketed for people with asthma and allergies such as vacuum cleaners, air cleaners, bedding, toys, flooring, and more. Often these products advertise a wide variety of features and benefits including suitability for those with asthma and allergies, the ability to prevent allergen accumulation, and in some extreme cases, promising improved health for consumers without providing scientific proof or validation for such claims. The allergen-avoidance market continues to grow as a result of increased consumer demand, but "currently there is little or no regulation governing claims".*

In 2006, the asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program was created by top medical experts and the oldest and largest nonprofit, asthma and allergy patient advocacy organization in the world, with the mission to empower consumers to make an informed purchase decision when choosing allergen-avoidance products. The Certification Program independently tests and identifies consumer products that are more suitable for the 60+ million people in the United States living with asthma and allergies.

Photos from AAFA's asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program's post 10/22/2026

Congratulations to eufy Clean on earning the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification for the Robot Vacuum Omni E35!

Robot vacuums are fast becoming a standard part of home cleaning, and with that comes a growing need for independent evidence of how well they actually perform.

To earn the certification, the Omni E35 was independently tested against the Program’s vacuum cleaner standard, covering the full cleaning cycle: allergen and dust removal from hard floors and carpet, airborne particles during use, particle emissions from the machine itself, pick-up performance over repeated passes, and particle levels when the dust bin is emptied. It met or exceeded every requirement.

"We're proud that the Omni E35 has earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification. It's an independent, science-based standard that requires products to prove what they remove through rigorous testing, rather than simply claiming it, and for Anker eufy, that's exactly the bar we want to be measured against," said Frank Zhu, President of Smart Innovations, Anker Innovations.

“As robotic vacuums become a standard part of home cleaning, it’s important that consumers have independent, science-based proof that these devices actually reduce allergen exposure,” said Dr John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards.

Read all about it here: https://zurl.co/y7Fyt

10/21/2026

Fresh paint smell gone? The Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) might not be.

Paint releases chemicals into the air as it dries, particularly VOCs, and it keeps releasing them well after the smell has gone.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, VOC exposure can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. People with asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities are advised to limit their exposure as much as possible, though everyone benefits from reducing it, which makes paint a smart place to start if you want better indoor air quality.

Many paints are labeled “low-VOC” or “non-toxic,” but not all of them meet the criteria to back that up, and full ingredient disclosure isn’t always available. Third-party certification fills that gap.

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified paints are tested for VOC emissions at both 24 hours and 14 days after application, rather than only after the standard 10-day conditioning period some other certifications use. The certification also reviews ingredients to confirm that any chemicals which could cause allergic reactions are present at levels low enough to minimize concern.

Certified paints also meet LEED criteria for low-emitting materials and comply with WELL Feature X06 Part 1b4 of the WELL Building Standard.

Look out for Certified paint from Benjamin Moore , True Value and Master Paints . And we can't wait to let you in on some big news soon!
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10/16/2026

Flooring is one of the largest surfaces in your building, so it has a real influence on indoor air quality.

Soft flooring can trap dust, pet dander, and pollen, but that doesn’t mean carpet is off the table. Treated carpets now build allergen-reducing technology into the fibers themselves. Hard flooring doesn’t trap allergens as easily, but the adhesives used with it can still release VOCs. Either way, look for independent verification rather than relying on the label.

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified flooring is tested to remove at least 90% of surface allergens for resilient flooring and at least 75% for textile and treated carpet, with VOC emissions checked at 24 hours and again at 14 days after installation.

Today’s tip is brought to you by [Certified Partner Name].

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Photos from AAFA's asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program's post 10/15/2026

What a great AAP 2026! Thank you to our colleagues at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) for bringing Asthma & Allergy Friendly® certified products to pediatricians at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.

Pediatricians are some of the most important people in the conversation about childhood asthma. According to AAFA, close to 5 million U.S. children have asthma, and an estimated 44 out of 100 children with asthma have uncontrolled asthma.

A huge thank you to our certified partners who donated certified products and samples to the booth:
eufy, Renegade Brands, Alen, Rabbit Air, Filtrete, Tarkett Official, Kleenex Air Filter , Mohawk Flooring and Purfect Palz .

Read the full coverage in our blog: https://zurl.co/sGSzG

10/14/2026

You can wash your sheets every week and still have dust mites living in your bedding.

Dust mites thrive in the warm, humid environment of bedding, and their waste is a well-established trigger for people who are sensitive to it. A dust mite-proof encasing on your mattress and pillows provides an effective barrier, and a simple step towards better indoor air quality in the bedroom.

Look for encasings that are tightly woven with no weak points at the seams or zippers, breathable, and able to withstand repeated hot washing without breaking down.

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified bedding is tested to confirm the fabric acts as an effective allergen barrier, remains breathable, withstands regular hot washing, and has been assessed for residual chemicals such as azo dyes and VOCs.

Our Certified bedding partners Sijo National Allergy Live Comfortably, DOWNLITE and Allied Home have earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® mark through vigorous testing to strict standards.

Read all our tips for IAQ month here: https://zurl.co/JQipL

10/12/2026

What temperature are your sheets going in at?

Washing machines play a big role in removing allergens like dust mite allergen and pet dander from bedding, clothing, and soft toys. The most effective removal happens at high temperatures, at least 131°F/55°C, since that’s what’s needed to kill dust mites. Not every washing machine holds that temperature consistently throughout the drum for the whole cycle, though, and that consistency is what matters.

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified washing machines are tested to maintain a consistent high temperature throughout the drum and to remove more than 95% of allergens, including dust mite and pet dander, from a typical wash load. They’re also tested to confirm they don’t produce ozone during operation.

The detergent matters just as much for indoor air quality. An effective laundry detergent should remove allergens from fabric without leaving behind chemicals that are sensitizers, and its VOC levels should be low.

Look for the trusted Certification Mark on Certified washing machines from LG Global and on detergent from Renegade Brands.

Want all the tips in one place? Visit https://zurl.co/oMoiU

10/09/2026

Under the bed, behind the TV, on top of the wardrobe.
When did you last vacuum there?

These are the places regular cleaning misses, so dust, pet dander, and other allergens build up undisturbed. Vacuuming weekly is the baseline for good indoor air quality, or more often in high-traffic areas or homes with pets. If allergies are a factor, make it once or twice a week, plus a deeper quarterly clean covering the mattress, vents, and behind furniture.

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified vacuum cleaners are tested to remove more than 90% of allergen-containing test dust from floor coverings and crevices, to keep airborne allergen and particle counts low during vacuuming, and to maintain filtration efficiency above 99% for fine particles down to 0.3 microns.

Robot vacuums can help too. They run daily on a schedule, so allergens have less time to build up between your regular cleans, and anyone with asthma or allergies doesn’t need to be in the room, or even in the house, while they work.

Certified robot vacuums must remove at least 90% of tested allergens from hard floors and 80% from carpet, and keep particles and allergen levels low when the bin is emptied. They work best alongside a full vacuum for stairs, upholstery, and mattresses.

Look for the Certified mark on vacuum cleaners from LG Global on your next purchase.

Want to read all the tips in one place? Find them here https://zurl.co/chHg0

10/07/2026

When did you last dust every single thing on that shelf?

Open shelves and surfaces crowded with ornaments and trinkets are hard to dust regularly, so they build up allergens over time. Fewer things on show means less to clean.

When you do dust, avoid using a dry cloth, which just sends particles back into the room. A damp or microfiber cloth traps and holds the dust instead. If you have allergies, wear a mask while doing housework. Leave the house for several hours after cleaning it.

The cleaning products matter for indoor air quality too. Many everyday cleaning products release VOCs, and terms like "natural" are often unregulated and not backed by scientific testing.

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified cleaning products are tested to remove at least 85% of allergens, such as dust mite allergen, pet dander, and pollen, from hard surfaces, while keeping chemical emissions low.

Read all our tips here: https://zurl.co/qAHEZ

10/05/2026

When Did You Last Check Your Air Filter?

Pull your HVAC filter out and hold it up to a light. If you can't see through it, that may give you your answer.

A clogged filter can't let air flow freely through the system, and it loses its ability to trap allergens and fine particles, so pollutants that were once being removed start recirculating into your indoor air quality instead. It also forces the system to work harder, which drives up energy use and your bills.

Check the manufacturer's instructions, but you may need to change it more often during peak heating or cooling seasons, or when outdoor pollution or wildfire smoke is high.

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified HVAC filters are tested to remove at least 85% of cat allergen, 92.5% of dust mite allergen, 95% of pollen allergen, and 40% of microparticles from the air passing through. They also have to maintain performance without a significant drop in airflow as the filter loads up, which avoids increased energy consumption, and have strong internal edge seals that stop air and particles bypassing the filter.

Check out air filters from our Certified partners Filtrete and from Kleenex Air Filters

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10/05/2026

When Did You Last Check Your Air Filter?

Pull your HVAC filter out and hold it up to a light. If you can't see through it, that may give you your answer.

A clogged filter can't let air flow freely through the system, and it loses its ability to trap allergens and fine particles, so pollutants that were once being removed start recirculating into your indoor air quality instead. It also forces the system to work harder, which drives up energy use and your bills.

Check the manufacturer's instructions, but you may need to change it more often during peak heating or cooling seasons, or when outdoor pollution or wildfire smoke is high.

Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified HVAC filters are tested to remove at least 85% of cat allergen, 92.5% of dust mite allergen, 95% of pollen allergen, and 40% of microparticles from the air passing through. They also have to maintain performance without a significant drop in airflow as the filter loads up, which avoids increased energy consumption, and have strong internal edge seals that stop air and particles bypassing the filter.

Check out air filters from our Certified partners Filtrete, and from Kleenex Air Filters

Want all the tips in one place? https://zurl.co/hxbJk
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