Comments on: “Earth-friendly” hotel uses toxic chemicals

By: Susie Collins

Susie Collins — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:02:39 +0000

Julie, it’s great that you have good experiences in these rooms. I need to point out a couple of things. First, chemical sensitivity is not an allergy, so while the rooms may be ok for some with allergies, that is a different subject altogether from them being safe for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Further, while you may be okay with tea tree oil (which more than likely in the hotel is actually a synthetic or petroleum processed scent, neither very healthy), many with allergies and/or sensitivities are not ok with tea tree oil, synthetic or not. But the biggest problem I have with these “Pure” rooms is the use of the ozone air machines. I have cited in my post information from the EPA about these dangerous devices. Many people have become extremely ill and even disabled after entering a room or house previously treated with ozone. It is not the ozone per se, but the chemical reactions it leaves behind on fabrics and other items in the room. For the hotel to be using these machines under the label of “earth friendly” and “green” is irresponsible and dangerous to public health. This program at the Lenox is pure and simple greenwashing.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:24:51 +0000

I have stayed in a Pure room on three different occassions. My husband and i both suffer from sever allergies and thought we would give it a try. Well, it worked… no problems all night, it was the first nights sleep at a hotel that i actually got sleep. the tea tree oil scent did not bother me, in fact it made my sinuses feel better… I had done no research on the pure rooms, but it worked great for me with my allergies, and my husband. Everytime i travel, i look for hotels that offer Pure rooms.
Whoever wrote this article, did not do their research…

By: Leslie

Leslie — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:15:36 +0000

It surprises me everytime, how very little people & companies research the ozone machine before using it. Ozone is just about the worst thing in the world for someone with asthma – it’s damaging to the lungs, leaves behind a dangerous cocktail of chemicals that build and play off each other over time, and eventually will lead to respitory distress in a healthy person. The sad part is it doesnt kill any mold or bacteria according to the EPA unless you use an industrial sized & blasting machine like that use to UV filter water, which would cause a human do die within seconds. So the whole thing is total bunk. Also I don’t know anyone with asthma, or with asthma like probs who would want to enter a hallway of mysterious tea tree oil, that stuff is really strong and should be breathed sparingly, not constantly.
How about the concept of nothing smelling like anything!?!? No scents if you are catering to those who seek a healthy lifestyles and have disabilities that require them to lean eco-style.