Re: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity MCS Air Purifier

A Reader writes:

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the great pages & reviews, I've learned a lot, and also comments from someone with MCS are very valuable.

I'm looking for an air purifier for MCS on a limited budget (at the moment). Eventually I want to buy an IQAir (Healthpro+ or GC) or two.

The Plasmaclusters seem interesting, and I saw an offer for the model FU-800S, around 450 euros (cheap considering the prices in Europe).

The basic specs can be found but there isn't much information available. 28kg, dual fans/plasmaclusters, 480m3/h, 33% more air flow & rec. room size (61m2) than the FU-60SES but weighs 3 times more.

I don't know what makes it that heavy, and what kind of performance I can expect from the unit, if there is more carbon in the filters etc.

In your reviews I haven't seen any models that big. Have you any additional info on these behemoths besides what can be found from the web?

Do you think the FU-800S could serve as the first line of defense for someone with MCS?

My house has quite open architecture, the living room & kitchen are one contiguous space (maybe 50-60m3) and I think I'd need a powerful machine.

I suppose obtaining filters for the FU-800S can be another challenge in the future.

Also have some naphthalene odors (mixed with detergent etc) in a closet and a room that I'd like to remove.

Sources (naphthalene balls etc) are gone, but odor persists, been that way for years. I wonder if the PC would help me with this, or could I end up with something worse with the naphthalene?

Keep up the good work!

Ed's Reply

Hey Reader;

Sharp produces Plasmaclusters tailored to specific markets. FU-800S is not sold in the USA. I have no experience with any non-USA machine.

But note the very strong resemblance of Sharp's euro-market FU-60SEK the my discontinued FP-N60CX.

When folks overseas ask for advice, I have no way of knowing what products are available in their local markets.

Cairo, Egypt? hmmmm........

Sharp is a global corporation, with marketing just about everywhere, including Egypt.

You appear to be in the UK, where more web vendors reside, but depth of support is still less. Sharp has the advantage of being a big seller, but there are issues, see;

Sharp Plasmacluster Washable Carbon Filter Odors

On the web, I see few vendors offering FU-800S, only replacement filters - maybe this is a discontinued model.

I don't think the Plasmacluster, or any active oxidizer, is the best choice where MCS is a problem.

But all purifiers I would recommend for stateside chemical sensitive applications may not be available in Euro-world.

Here are two good companies which appear to serve the Euro market.

For MCS, I like AllerAir MCS series, out of Canada: AllerAir MCS air purifiers

And E.L. Foust, Elmhurst, Illinois: Foust MCS air purifiers

Foust allows customers to special order their activated carbon media and even refill their own cartridges.

Both AllerAir and Foust offer small batches of carbon media for MCS customers to test sniff for allergy before ordering.

Generally I do not recommend a single large air cleaner over a couple smaller units. Room air cleaners, regardless of power, tend to clean the immediate area more effectively than the periphery.

MCS people need to create a sanctuary around their bed, and try to conquer the environment from that position of strength.

So two machines, one in the bedroom and one were you spend time, would be better.

For the closet, you could try just putting small bags of activated carbon and/or zeolite near the odor source - way cheaper than a purifier and easily disposable when contaminated. I have a similar closet, and will get around to trying this myself eventually.

For MCS in general, while air purifiers can help, I believe the problem is more internally generated - by changes in the intestinal tract from carbohydrate-rich diets and misuse of antibiotics - as opposed to environmental influences.

Here are a couple resources to start with;

Acetaldehyde - A Common and Potent Neurotoxin

Acetaldehyde Detox

I believe MCS has a great deal in common with alcholism, an addiction related to yeasts and their toxic byproducts.

What has helped my MCS is living in the country, away from all internal combustion engines and other aldehyde sources.

Eating fresh raw produce almost exclusively will help.

As William Duffy said in Sugar Blues, Sugar Blues at Amazon.com

"You don't know your addicted until you try to quit" (eating refined and cooked carbohydrates).

Good Luck,

Ed