Message from the President
of EcoQuest
10/02/07
Dear California Leader,
There has been some
confusion over a recent newspaper article on what a
California Agency (Air Resources Board of
California) recently approved that relates to air
purifiers beginning in early 2009. As we all know,
newspapers sometimes create sensational headlines to
attract readers and advertisers at the expense of
the accuracy in the facts they report. That is
unfortunately what has happened with this article
and others like it. In some cases the reporting is
inaccurate. In other cases, the personal opinion of
individual ARB staff members is being portrayed as
the recommendation and decision of the Air Resources
Board as a whole. This has created some false
impressions.
Here is a quick summary of
what really happened as it may affect your business:
1. Nothing has changed!
There was no “ban” or “recall” of any current
products being sold, or of any products sold in the
past. As we approach 2009, we believe responsible
people in California are going to want a product
with an Away Mode, so you may even see a greater
demand.
2. All current and past
company products are absolutely safe when the
instructions in the Owners Manual are followed.
These instructions are included with every unit
sold.
3. All current and past
company products meet the current Federal EPA Safe
Emissions Standard of .05 ppm of ozone in occupied
space, which California proposed to adopt effective
in early 2009, when used as directed.
California, along with
EcoQuest and other manufacturing companies, are now
starting the process to develop a standardized
testing protocol for this. In the future (sometime
in early 2009) our products will carry a
certification label that will meet this standard in
California, just as we currently do without such a
label. If California had a standard right now, we
would simply supply our products, pass the
certification and grow your businesses. But, there
is no standard except the EPA’s Safe Emissions
Standard which we meet. Repeating, whatever the
California Standard ends up being we will meet it.
4. California is concerned
over allowing consumers the option to use higher
levels of ozone, even if they meet other Federal
Safe Exposure Levels indoors, while the space or
area being treated is not being occupied, or when no
one is physically present. They think that a small
percentage of residents cannot read or understand
that they should not use elevated but safe exposure
levels when not physically present, and therefore
all residents should be denied this right.
Instead, California has
proposed that effective early 2009, that purifiers
purchased brand new by consumers may not be equipped
with this elevated safe ozone option. This does not
and will not affect purifiers or cleaning devices
sold any time prior to 2009. What this does mean is
that manufacturers would not be able to ship,
effective in early 2009, consumer purifiers with
this elevated optional use benefit. (We call it the
“Away Mode.”)
Only industrial or
commercial businesses will be allowed to purchase
purifiers or air cleaners that can produce any
elevated levels above the current Federal Safe
Emissions Standard of .05 ppm of ozone in
non-occupied consumer space, provided no person is
physically present during the operation of the
device.
5. EcoQuest, along with
several consumer groups, believe that not allowing
consumers and option to use otherwise safe elevated
levels is a mistake and contrary to the law. Our
legal team is still working to have this decision
revised. We want to allow a reasonable consumer
options here. Consumers should not be forced to pay
industrial or commercial businesses hundreds of
dollars any time they want a quick or emergency
clean-up or sanitization in an unoccupied room.
These are the same conditions we have now for
consumers.
Regardless, this policy
does not take affect until 2009. We are currently in
compliance, and EcoQuest products can be sold to all
home owners, businesses, and medical facilities with
no human fear of an unhealthy or dangerous
environmental concern.
6. What we should all be
concerned about now is reaching all those who are
currently breathing in the toxins and other
contaminants, who are using toxic cleaning products
to fight germs on surfaces, and who need products
like ours that do create healthier indoor
environments when used correctly.
That last point is
critical. Many great product becomes dangerous when
negligently. Our products, just like cars, kitchen
knives, and bath tubs, need to be used correctly.
OSHA warns of a “gas” that is dangerous. If you get
too much of this gas, you must leave the room and
get help. This gas is called Oxygen.
7. Finally, if you have a
customer who just does not accept these realities,
send them to EcoQuest Customer Service at
800-989-2299 and we will work with them.
We understand the
challenges you are facing in California, between the
media and this regulation. You may feel like your
future is uncertain. But rest assured, we have
products that meet the California regulation right
now, and will continue to pioneer innovative
solutions that will be effective for consumers in
California. Our active technology flies in the face
of traditional, less effective, passive methods.
Competitors, along with mis-informed
but well-intentioned officials, have been
criticizing new technologies and new ideas since
nearly the beginning of time. They certainly have
since we started our company. The horse and buggy
folks didn’t like automobiles either.
Yet our products have been
proven safe and effective over and over again
throughout our 20 year history. This is just another
one of those times where we have to step up to the
plate and prove our products are the safest, most
effective answer to the indoor environmental health
challenges facing the globe today.
The problem of polluted
indoor environments is not going away without our
help. Our next generation of products will not be
impacted at all by this ruling. Our existing
products will be made to comply in most cases. Our
solution is still the answer, and will continue to
work with the people of California to ensure
consumers have access to our technology.
Thank you for your
commitment in the face of adversity,
Mike Jackson
Founder and CEO – EcoQuest
International