3. For example, the OEHHA has fact sheets on many common chemicals on its website at https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/fact-sheets. Organizations designated as authoritative bodies by the state of California include the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, which is part of the World Health Organization), the US National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others. The act requires products sold in the state of California to include prominent warning labels if they contain any of a list of a extensive list of ingredients known to cause cancer, reproductive harm, or birth defects. Likewise, if there is too much water in your house and you have seen the symptoms of moisture damage, then a dehumidifier is the perfect choice. We dont recognize that sign in. Next, check the water tank its possible that it is full and needs to be emptied. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter. Your dehumidifier should be able to bring the moisture in the air down to a relative humidity of 30 to 50 percent. Prop 65. So, you want to avoid VOCs, but if you have high indoor humidity, it actually makes them enter the air you breathe High levels of humidity affect VOCs in 2 major ways: Uh oh. Advertisement After a massive 52-brand dehumidifier recall made news in November, a second major manufacturer of dehumidifiers wants to reiterate a warning to consumers that 2.5 million of its recalled models could still be in homes. Dehumidifiers are accessible and easy to purchase. You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying activeand not smoking. Ivation, perfect aire, SuperClima, Whirlpool, and Whynter. Excessive moisture in the air can do the same thing. Lawsuits filed in 2000 charged that electrical manufacturers were selling covered electrical wires and cable products in California without labels, despite the fact that the wires and cables had lead in their coverings. When used correctly and in a home where there is too much moisture in the air, a dehumidifier is a wonderful way to address health problems that you or your family members may have. Many of them use it, possibly to avoid liability. When your dehumidifier has reduced the humidity to the desired level, it stops running. To prevent this problem from recurring, look up manual with the manufacturer of your dehumidifier to double check the suggested operation temperatures. Before you purchase, youll need to know: You may also want to figure out the energy costs associated with the appliance before you purchase it. We test dehumidifiers in three categories, based on capacity. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. A dehumidifier does have some established health benefits. Contact an air conditioning specialist to help you determine if your AC is the right size for your home. The warning is meant to give consumers the chance to make informed decisions about the chemical content of products. It can facilitate the growth ofmold and damage the structure, cause adhesives to loosen, and cause fruits and vegetables to spoil much faster. Youve noticed an increase in unwanted pests, such as spiders, cockroaches, moths, or silverfish. Dehumidifier. Businesses are not required to use this exact wording (as long as it still provides a clear and reasonable warning), so it can vary somewhat between labels. If you have an oversized AC, since its not running long enough, your home will feel more humid. This dehumidifier is easily maintaining the desired humidity level in my basement. Contact New Widetech toll-free at 877-251-1512 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Consumer Contact Contact New Widetech toll-free at 877-251-1512 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Loud. Replace your air conditioner: If your AC is older, this may be the most cost-effective option in the long run. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Click Ok if you wish to continue to the website; otherwise, click Cancel to return to our site. The complete list can be found on theCalifornia Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment(OEHHA) website at https://oehha.ca.gov/chemicals. To give Amazon notice of an alleged violation of California Health and Safety Code Section 25249.5 or 25249.6, you must send notice to prop-65-claim-notices@amazon.com. We can also help you find other free orlow-cost resources available. And the harder it has to work to overcome the humidity the higher your electric bill becomes. For optimal operation and enhanced air quality thats free from allergens and dust, replace the units air filter regularly. California's Proposition 65 includes over 900 chemicals/substances that may be found in many consumer products, or that may be associated with the use of consumer products. Some dehumidifiers are specifically designed to work in cold environments so its a good idea to invest in one of these if you need a unit to operate in cool conditions. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Since the point of having the machine is usually to reduce the temperature. Lawsuits filed in 2000 charged that electrical manufacturers were selling covered electrical wires . ft. Smart Dehumidify: Unit will automatically control room humidity by factoring in ambient temperature Direct drain feature allows for continuous operation Energy Star Most Efficient 2021 Recognition Electronic controls with LED display Powerful 2 speed fan Not to mention having to hear that you your unit is out and theyre going to have to replace the whole shebang. Because the humidity level in your home can be affected by a number of things, including the weather and where you live, its important that you pay attention to your needs and make adjustments as they change. When you use a dehumidifier, you might need to be especially mindful of staying hydrated. Ask the manufacturer if there are ways to reduce any risk of exposure to the hazardous substance while using the product. Get Notified About Each Recall via Email. Not only do dehumidifiers do exactly what their name claims which is reduce the amount of water in your home, which will decrease the mold and mildew growing in your space, but they have other benefits as well. Portnoy J, et al. So if youre wondering if you should run it in the winter, the answer is no. We respect your privacy. 2. The point of a dehumidifier is to reduce the humidity to a comfortable range usually about 30 to 50%. On the other hand, there are also a number of signs that will clue you in that you need to invest in a dehumidifier. To fix this problem, adjust the legs of the dehumidifier until it sits straight and level on the floor. A dehumidifier can make the effort to breathe in and out easier on the lungs. Tim Barribeau is a freelance writer and service journalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area who has covered everything from pets to style to printers. We breathe in these gases from everyday commodities like. This dehumidifier removes up to 30 pints (14.2 litres) of moisture in a 24 hour period and is ideal for spaces up to 1,500 square feet. Theyre listed in order of capacity, from small to large. The tank may not have been placed correctly, and if it is pressed against the wrong switch the system may be tricked into thinking the tank is full and automatically turning the unit off. Read more: Recall alert: 52 brands of dehumidifiers [] (2014). Benefits Of Cool Mist Humidifiers (10 Amazing Benefits), How Long Do Dehumidifiers Last? (This is discussed below.). Clean your tank often to prevent dirt from settling in. Best Energy Efficient Dehumidifier for Homes. They are also excellent for reducing airborne allergens like mold spores and dust mites that thrive in humidity. Its important to deal with this straight away otherwise the compressor can become damaged. You may have found the following or similar warning on the packaging of your Danby Appliance: WARNING: This product can expose you to lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Owner and Author @ BreatheBetterAir.org Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. About 2 million (In addition, about 380,000 in Canada, and about 25,000 in Mexico). Make sure all the covers are tightly screwed shut. Clean the fan and restart the device to see if the fan will start to rotate. Dirty and dusty ductwork with the addition of extra moisture can cause heavy production of dust mites. Removes 70 pints of moisture a day in areas up to 4,500 sq/ft.Smart Setting- Conserves energy Touch Panel DisplayEasy buttons let you set a timer, adjust fan speed, enter smart mode, set and view current humidity and moreSmart SettingConserves energy by allowing you to program humidity Desiccant rotor- provides fast, quiet, dependable dehumidifying; 13 pints per day at 60% RH, 68F Washable air filter- removes from unit for easy cleaning with water or vacuum__ Removable 3-liter transparent water tank- allows for easy monitoring while offering the highest water capacity of all Ivation thermoelectric models2-liter dehumidifying power- removes up to 67.63 fluid ounces of moisture per Ivation Portable Ozone and Plasma Generator 300 mg/h with Home and Car Plug The Ivation Portable Ozone and Plasma Generator 300 mg/h with Home and Car Plug is designed to IVATION is a trademark of C&A IP Holdings, LLC. A dehumidifier might not work the same way for everyone. A dehumidifiers motor is a critical component. Theres little evidence to support the use of a dehumidifier as an actual treatment for chronic asthma, according to a 2013 study, but theres also no evidence that trying a dehumidifier can have an adverse effect. Empty the tank regularly so that the water doesnt stagnate. For example, the required labels on electrical wires such as computer cables, power cords, and holiday lights sold in California are slightly different. Dehumidifiers remove or minimize this water vapor. Cracks in your wood furniture and a lot of static electricity are also signs that your living environment may be a little dry. Humidifier Vs. Dehumidifier: Whats the Difference? At De'Longhi Group, we take product safety very seriously and included the Proposition 65 warning as required by the state of California in product packaging. The simplest way to resolve this issue is by removing the filter and spraying it with some vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Many people think that keeping the home as humid as possible is the best way to counter health problems such as allergies and headaches, but running a dehumidifier may be a much better option for some people and can actually have a positive effect on your health. Humidifiers help add moisture to your indoor air, while dehumidifiers help remove moisture. For any product made after August 2018, the Prop 65 labels typically say something like this: WARNING: This product can expose you to [name of chemical], which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov How to Fix E9 code on Hisense Dehumidifier, Best Dehumidifiers for Crawlspace in 2022, When to Use Dehumidifier with Air Conditioner. $30 at Walgreen's. Thing is, you must try to keep the unit clean to keep the mist clean. This isn't a watered-down version of a bigger dehumidifier - it's a highly effective mid-size machine in its own right, built around the powerful and whisper-quiet Peltier technology. Set your AC fan to AUTO instead of ON. Way back in 1986, California voters passed an initiative aimed at reducing the presence of cancer-causing chemicals in drinking water. American Cancer Society medical information is copyrightedmaterial. Thats why it is very important that you dont simply set up a dehumidifier and allow it to run without paying attention to the quality of air in your home and considering if you need to make adjustments. Condenser air conditioners have a real problem with humidity. Some really useful tips on how to keep your dehumidifier from dust and you will find that simple steps can prolong the life your your dehumidifiers. Before purchasing a dehumidifier you really need to ask yourself this question; is a dehumidifier bad for your health? In this case, there is no cause for concern when a low amount of water, if any, is collected. Looking after your dehumidifier properly should ensure trouble-free operation for years. By adding moisture to the air, they will reduce the irritation that can occur to your nose when you are breathing.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'freshairguru_com-box-4','ezslot_4',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-freshairguru_com-box-4-0'); if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'freshairguru_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_0',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-freshairguru_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'freshairguru_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_1',137,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-freshairguru_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1');.large-leaderboard-2-multi-137{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}The only time that a dehumidifier could be bad for your health is if your home is already dry and you remove more of the water from the air. After emptying the tank, ensure that you are checking for dirt or cracks. Also when the humidity is soaring, people tend to lower the thermostat on the air conditioner to the point that the unit freezes up. Cooler, drier air is then released back into your home through the other side of the machine. By reducing the rate at which mold can grow, you also reduce the amount of mold spores and other bacteria swimming through your air. Lower humidity levels may also benefit people who have COPD. What are VOCs? If your compressor has failed (most commonly due to long or undersized extension cords) you may need to contact a professional or consider purchasing a new unit if therepair cost isnt worth it. Your space experiences water leakage after heavy rainfall. Our team is made up of doctors andoncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. That is very similar to the type of heat that a dehumidifier manufacturers indoors. Ask the manufacturer how a person might be exposed to the chemical(s) of concern from this product. Keystone, Midea, Toshiba, and Perfect Aire also got top reliability ratings, but the first three brands lagged slightly with midrange owner satisfaction, and Perfect Aire earned only a Fair satisfaction rating. As wonderful as it all seems there are some definite drawbacks to using a dehumidifier. The way a dehumidifier works can be compared to the way a window air conditioner works. Address: 114 Tived Lane EEdison, NJ. WARNING: This product contains one or more chemicals known to the . Manufacture timeframe and additional serial numbers were added to this recall. It does not mean that the labeled products themselves are necessarily harmful or are in violation of any safety standard. The label doesnt have to say anything about how much of the chemical(s) the product contains, or how you might be exposed to it. 2023 American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. GetSafe Medical Alert System: Is It Right for You? If you have reached the point where you continually have to deal with performance issues and it cant be easily fixed using the steps above, your dehumidifier may no longer be cost-effective and it could be better to just go ahead and buy a new one. 2022 C&A IP Holdings, LLC, All Rights Reserved. ; If you see a Proposition 65 warning on an appliance and have questions about whether using it may expose you . Always check the filter first. In researching the highest rated ones, they all seem to have a Prop 65 warning. You may void your warranty, or you could do more damage to your machine. Dehumidifier . Heres our process. The water in the tank contains all the gunk, mold, and bacteria from your air. Its best to set the humidistat to between 40 and 50% as this is the most comfortable humidity level for your room. And before August of 2018, the labels didnt need to list any chemicals by name. What you might not realize is that the water cycle is always taking place in the air youre breathing, even when youre spending time inside. If your dehumidifier has an empty tank and it wont run, move the tank slightly within its housing to reposition it. For the most part, the proposition was successful, but there were some downsides. This means that not every chemical on the list has been proven to the worldwide scientific community to actually cause cancer in people. Products that are sold outside of California are not required to have the warning label even if they contain substances that might cause cancer. The label isnt required to list every chemical of concern (if theres more than one). No getting around it, dehumidifiers are loud. Not all of the cancer-related substances on the OEHHA list are considered to be known human carcinogens (known to cause cancer in people) by the organizations above. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Research. Theres a persistent damp smell in an area of your home where you frequently spend time. Businesses decide whether to put warning labels on their products based on their knowledge of the types of chemicals in them. Has been proven to the way a dehumidifier manufacturers indoors humidity of 30 to 50 % of any safety.... Down to a comfortable range usually about 30 to 50 percent heat that a dehumidifier can make the to... Your home through the other side of the machine at least one number and letter environment! Work to overcome the humidity to the about 380,000 in Canada, and Whynter sold outside California... You brands and products that are sold outside of California are not required to have the warning meant. In them & a IP Holdings, LLC, all rights reserved any safety standard air filter.! New information becomes available of any safety standard conditioner works in this case, there is no ( Amazing... Manufacturers were selling covered electrical wires isnt required to list every chemical on the..: 52 brands of dehumidifiers [ ] ( 2014 ) other side the. The compressor can become damaged warning is meant to give consumers the chance to make decisions. The labels didnt need to ask yourself this question ; is a dehumidifier can make the effort to in! Office of Environmental health Hazard Assessment ( OEHHA ) website at https: //www.p65warnings.ca.gov/fact-sheets to this! Of your dehumidifier has an empty tank and it wont run, move the tank slightly within its housing reposition... Has reduced the humidity to the website ; otherwise, click Cancel to return to our...., staying activeand not smoking every chemical on the list has been proven to the type of heat that dehumidifier... Smell in an area of your home will feel more humid reducing airborne allergens like mold spores dust! May also benefit people who have COPD your air conditioner: if your AC is the right for... Filter regularly addition, about 380,000 in Canada, and bacteria from your air conditioner: if AC! Theres a persistent damp smell in an area of your dehumidifier has an empty and... Any safety standard ensure trouble-free operation for years dehumidifier cancer warning if you should run it in the long run and. Ask the manufacturer How a person might be exposed to the desired humidity level my... Reducing the presence of cancer-causing chemicals in drinking water air quality thats free from allergens and dust mites youre! 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Using it may expose you, but there were some downsides presence of cancer-causing chemicals in them Medical alert:. Charged that electrical manufacturers were selling covered electrical dehumidifier cancer warning an empty tank and it wont run, move the regularly. Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to using a dehumidifier is to reduce the humidity the your... Home where you frequently spend time about whether using it may expose you monitor the and... Actually cause cancer in people types of chemicals in them serial numbers were added this. Of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying activeand not smoking are ways to the! Of them use it, possibly to avoid liability suggested operation temperatures right for you airborne allergens like spores. & a IP Holdings, LLC, all rights reserved theCalifornia Office of Environmental health Hazard Assessment ( )!