The Time is Right
Install A Fresh Cabin Air Filter Before The Allergens Strike

The worst is over, we're thinking. With winter officially behind us, we need only look to warmer days ahead. Not so for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. A short winter season followed by an early spring -- as we have experienced lately -- may only hasten the onset of allergens and pollen in the air, causing an itchy and runny nose, teary eyes, sneezing and congestion in those who are prone to allergies.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, an organization of allergists, immunologists and related professionals, "Avoiding your allergy triggers is the best way to reduce symptoms." (www.aaaai.org.) Limiting outdoor activities on days with high pollen counts, keeping windows closed (at home or in the car) to keep pollen out, and taking a shower after coming indoors, are some of the steps that AAAAI recommends.

However, "keeping your car's windows closed while driving may not be sufficient if your car's cabin air filter is clogged," said Chuck Kerrigan, Director of Marketing for Purolator. The company supplies BreatheEasy cabin air filters to the aftermarket in North America. (www.BreatheEasyCabinFilters.com)

Located under the hood or behind the glove box of most late model vehicles, a fresh cabin air filter helps clean the air that enters the driver and passenger compartment through the vents, keeping it free of dust and other pollutants that can aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms.

"When the cabin air filter remains unchanged for long periods of time, the dust and dirt that accumulate are blown back into the interior of the car when the A/C or heating is turned on," Kerrigan explained.

AAAAI lists three pollen seasons depending on where you live. Trees pollinate in the spring, grass releases its pollen in the summer, and weeds cause allergic symptoms in the fall. And, if in a given year, winter is short and spring comes early, allergens will strike more often than not.

Therefore, Purolator recommends changing the cabin air filter every 12,000 miles or per the vehicle manufacturer's suggested intervals in the owner's manual.

Two kinds of cabin filters are available -- the particulate cabin filter and the activated charcoal cabin filter. The activated charcoal cabin filter adsorbs most toxic and foul-smelling gases, such as ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrocarbons, keeping odors out of the car's cabin. Purolator offers both for many vehicles. Refer to the owner's manual or the application guide at www.BreatheEasyCabinFilters.com to see if your vehicle is equipped with a cabin air filter.

Purolator's BreatheEasy cabin air filters contain media that is engineered to capture and hold even the finest particles of contaminants such as dust, soot, pollen, fungus and bacteria. These filters are electrostatically charged to ensure that particles stay embedded in the filter and cannot enter the vehicle.

Purolator BreatheEasy cabin air filters come with illustrated vehicle-specific instructions that make installation simple for do-it-yourselfers or professional technicians.

So, why not take yet another step toward keeping allergens at bay?