Health eHeadlines Safe, New Weapon in War on Asthma and Allergies Offers Hope To Millions of Sufferers-Patented, EPA-Registered Application of Borate Compound Found Highly Effective In Household Dust Mite Control, University Study Concludes PR Newswire May 13, 2003 HOBE SOUND, Fla., May 13, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- You can't see them, but tens of millions of Americans suffer their effects: microscopic dust mites in carpets, upholstery and bedding. In fact, many researchers consider dust mite allergens as the number one household trigger of asthma attacks in children. One-tenth the size of the period at the end of this sentence, a dust mite lives off skin cells shed from humans and pets, with its water from moisture in the air. As many as 500 of them can be found in a single gram of household dust. But their favored nestings are the among the fibered jungles of carpets, sofas, chairs, mattresses, pillows, and the like. Controlling the tiny arachnids has long required bare floors and encasing mattresses and pillows, or various alternative chemical treatments with unpleasant odors or staining. Now a University of South Florida medical study confirms the effectiveness of steam vacuuming with an odor-free, stain-free solution of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT). The study was published in the April issue of Allergy magazine, a key academic journal for allergists and immunologists. It used the only commercially available DOT that is EPA-registered as safe for household use and sold under the brand name The Ecology Works DustMite and Flea Control ( www.ecologyworks.com ). The six-month, double-blind study was conducted among 93 homes in Central Florida separated into application, placebo, and control groups. Results indicated that DOT cuts dust mite populations and their associated allergen levels to nil levels and provides effective control for up to six months, longer than other chemical alternatives. An abstract and key conclusions can be found at http://www.ecologyworks.com/AbstractCondensed.pdf . "These conclusions are good news for allergy sufferers worldwide who, for any number of reasons, cannot or don't want to rip out their carpets or put their sofas out on the curb," said James Burnett, founder and president of The Ecology Works, based in Hobe Sound, Fla. "What's more," he added, "our DOT application can also help the millions of pets afflicted with dust mite-induced skin allergies. That's in addition to being an effective household flea control." About The Ecology Works The Ecology Works is a 10-year-old firm based in Hobe Sound, Fla., that develops, packages, markets, and sells environmentally safe products for allergy control and cleaning. These non-toxic yet highly effective formulations are based on naturally occurring plants and minerals, reflecting a belief in ecologically sound and sustainable economic practices. Its current product portfolio includes The Ecology Works DustMite and Flea Control, a U.S. patented and EPA-registered application; The Ecology Works Anti-Allergen Solution; and a line of non-toxic, environmentally safe, plant- based solvents and detergents. The Ecology Works can be reached at 888.353.2649 or www.ecologyworks.com. Contact: Bill Makley 561.706.9591 billmakley2@hotmail.com SOURCE The Ecology Works CONTACT: Bill Makley of The Ecology Works, +1-561-706-9591, or billmakley2@hotmail.com URL: http://www.ecologyworks.com http://www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2003 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved. <back>