ATMOSPHERE® Air Purifier

The BEST! Simply the BEST air purification system on the market - ATMOSPHERE® Air Purifier offers state-of-the-art air purification technology that features three pre-installed filters: a cleanable pre-filter, a replaceable carbon (odor) filter,* and a replaceable HEPA (particulate) filter. It also features a remote control unit with five operating speeds, a programmable timer, an integrated particle sensor, and an electronic monitoring system that alerts you when the filters need replacing or cleaning. The system is also backed by a two-year limited warranty. 29"H x 15"W x 11"D. 23.2 lbs.

*These filters are pre-installed, and indicator lights on the unit will signify when they should be replaced. Carbon (odor) filter (101077). HEPA (particulate) filter (101078).

"The Atmosphere Air Purifier is backed by these strong certifications:

AHAM – Certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to the ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2006 CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) test protocol for the removal of airborne tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen. ATMOSPHERE™ Air Purifier’s certified CADR is 250 for tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen.

U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® – ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier exceeds the strict energy efficiency guidelines established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for energy efficiency of room air cleaners.

asthma & allergy friendly certified™ – The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier was the first air purifier certified by asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and Allergy Standards LTD. Products carrying this certification mark have been scientifically tested and proven more suitable for people with asthma and related allergic sensitivities.

*Trademark: Allergy Standards Limited (Dublin, Ireland).

Benefits

Clarus™ Filtration
99.99% effective
The Clarus™ filtration system features an activated carbon filter with a surface area equal to 366 football fields, a HEPA filter and prefilter. This abundant filtration capacity effectively reduces odors and effectively removes up to 99.99% of airborne pollutant particles that pass through the system - including contaminant particles such as pollen, bacteria, dust mites, viruses, smoke, and other impurities as small as .01 microns.

Pureflow™
Whisper-quiet efficiency
Quiet operation is as important to the comfort of your home as clean air. Atmosphere offers you both with the unique Pureflow system. The Pureflow system eliminates excessive fan noise by operating only when it is needed. It also reduces energy costs to earn Atmosphere an Energy Star Rating.

IntelliSense
Just set it and forget it
IntelliSense technology gives you an automatic one-touch mode that monitors and protects the quality of your home’s environment – even when you’re not there.

Turbo Power
Power when you need it
When you want to clear the air of cooking, pet odors, smoke, or other contaminants, and you want to do it in a hurry, turn on the Turbo Power. With the Turbo Power function you’ll be able to clear and clean the air in up to a 390-square-foot room.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier remove the H1N1 virus?
There is a lot of recent concern about the H1N1 virus, and a possible pandemic. Amway Global is receiving questions whether the ATMOSPHERE® Air Purifier is capable of removing this virus from air. Through extensive testing we have documented that the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is capable of removing a number of bacteria and viruses from the air. The H1N1 flu virus is one of the Influenza A family of virus’. As shown in our product literature the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can reduce these viruses by more than 99.99%.

The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is not by itself an appropriate method of protection against viral or bacterial illness. While the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can effectively eliminate many known airborne contaminates and disease causing organisms in the air; it can only remove contaminants from air that is drawn into the system. Many viruses are believed to be spread in the aerosol form, by sneezing and coughing or by close contact including hard surfaces, such as door knobs, etc.

According to the Center of Disease control, good hygiene program is essential in minimizing the risk of contracting or spreading any communicable illness. The best practice is thorough and complete hand washing with soap and water. While the H1N1 influenza virus is too new a strain to have developed proof for effectiveness, we recommend cleaning of hard surfaces with disinfectants like PURSUE Disinfectant Cleaner. This can further limit the spread of viruses and bacteria.

For the most up to date information on what to do to protect yourself and your family from communicable disease or airborne pollution, consult your doctor or local health department, and follow any relevant public health advisories.

Why would I want an air purifier for my home? Isn’t the air inside my home protected from outside pollution?
Studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada show that indoor pollutant levels inside the home may be much higher than outdoor levels. Indoor air pollution/contamination can cause or contribute to a variety of health problems, including asthma, allergies, nausea, and chronic respiratory diseases. The air inside your home can contain contaminants and particles that include dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, bacteria, virus, dioxin, formaldehyde and even radon decay byproducts.

How large is a micron? Can I see it in the air?
A micron is one-millionth of a meter. The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier removes particulates as small as 0.009 microns, which is about 1,800 times smaller than the sharp end of a pin. A grain of pollen is 30 microns, dust mite byproducts are 10 microns, pet dander is 90 microns, smoke particles are 0.2 microns, and viruses can be as small as 0.02 microns. The trained human eye can only see contaminants that are approximately 50 microns in size.

How can I be sure that the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is really effective in removing most of these potential contaminant particles from the air inside a room?
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has verified the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier’s Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) for the removal of airborne smoke, dust and pollen through independent laboratory testing. CADR is widely accepted as a valid measure for comparing the performance of portable air cleaners and has been reviewed and referenced by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

How effective is the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier in improving the quality of the air in a room?
You can breathe easier knowing that the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is up to 99.99% effective in removing airborne contaminant particles down to sizes as small as 0.009 microns in a single pass through the system. In the recommended room size of 390 square feet (36 square meters) the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can reduce the particulate concentration by 80% in about 30 minutes. In addition, the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier also reduces household odors from cooking, smoke, and pets. The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is also very effective at removing bacteria, viruses and molds from the air that is drawn into the system. The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can also reduce formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is an irritant and suspected carcinogen that is emitted from some common household furnishings (e.g. carpet, ceiling tile) and products (e.g. wood products). Urea-formaldehyde glues and resins are used in some plywood and pressed board products, and they can slowly emit formaldehyde. The carbon filter contains two catalysts that destroy formaldehyde. The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is also very effective for the reduction of ozone and dioxin.

What certifications/approvals do we have?
usETLc – Certified to the U.S.'s ANSI/UL 507 safety standard for electric fans and Canada’s safety standard C22.2 No. 113 for fans and ventilators AHAM – Certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to the ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2006 CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) test protocol for the removal of airborne tobacco smoke, dust and pollen. ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier’s certified CADR is 250 for tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen. U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® – ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier exceeds the strict energy efficiency guidelines established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for energy efficiency of room air cleaners.

What are the dimensions of the unit?
External Dimensions 15.43 in (38.1 cm) wide x 10.69 in (27.9 cm) deep x 28.9 in (73.7 cm) tall

Will there be a serial number and will it be scanned during shipment?
Yes, the serial number is located in 3 places (1) under the unit, (2) on the shipping container and (3) on the Warranty/Registration card. It appears like this: 123456789Q1AA.

Will the unit be shipped in one package?
Yes.

Is there a separate web site for ATMOSPHERE?
Not at this time.

How much does the unit weigh?
Weight 24 lbs (10.9 kg)

How long is the cord?
Cord Length 10 ft (3.05 m)

Where is the best location for the system?
The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can be placed in any room of a home. The housing design ensures proper clearance between the Air Purifier and the wall to allow full circulation of purified air. The Air Purifier can also be placed in the center of a room, or in a corner, with no change in effectiveness. To avoid blocking air flow, don’t place items close to the front or above the unit and do not place items on the unit. Avoid placing the Air Purifier in front of heating or air conditioning vents. Air Purifiers will be more effective in rooms where doors and windows are closed.

What is the optimal room size the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can purify?
According to AHAM we can claim a room size up to 390 square feet. (approximately 20 x 19.5 foot room) or 36 square meters (approximately 6 by 6 meter room). This conforms to the AHAM CADR Certification Program criteria of an 80% reduction of airborne particulate contaminants in a room of up to 390 square feet.

Can we use the ATMOSPHERE in commercial settings, for example a bar or restaurant efficiently?
The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is intended to be used only in residential and light commercial environments. An example of a light commercial environment would be an office or retail shop. The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is designed for room sizes up to 390 square feet or 36 square meters based on standard ceiling heights of 8 feet or 2.4 meters. It is not intended for use in industrial environments, factories or bars, because of the large room sizes and continuous source of contamination. Use in unintended environments will be considered a misuse of the product and could result in poor performance and short filter life.

Can I change the settings remotely?
Yes, there is a convenient, slim-profile remote control included and there is a slot in the rear handle to store the remote in when not in use.

How does the air circulation process work?
The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier features the CLARUS™ filtration system with 3 stages of filtration for awesome performance. Contaminated air is drawn at low velocity toward the front of the unit to minimize noise and drafts. The contaminated air enters through and around the front shield where it encounters the pre-filter, the first stage of filtration, the pre-filter removes large, lint-like particles. The second stage consists of a particle filter with better than HEPA performance for removing contaminants such as; smoke, bacteria and virus, particles as small as 0.009 microns in size. The last and final stage is the carbon filter where objectionable smells, such as tobacco, pet, cooking odors, formaldehyde, dioxin and ozone are removed. The purified air is driven out the back and upward through the grill of the rear housing at high velocity to maintain good room mixing. While often over looked in air treatment performance, room mixing is a very important aspect of room cleaning. Air treatment systems, all of them, work by dilution in that they are constantly diluting the contaminated air of the room with the cleaned or purified air that is discharged from the unit.

What is the reason for the change in airflow direction of the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier compared with the Advanced ATS?
The specifics for the change are related to the industrial design or look of the product, overall size and the motor design. The important aspects of room cleaning performance are maintained in the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier in that we have relatively even airflow over the entire CLARUS™ filtration system. The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier has low velocity airflow in the front and high velocity in the rear for quieter noise while maintaining excellent room air mixing (circulation), a very important aspect of room cleaning performance.

Aren’t there other air purifiers that are just as good?
Competitive air purifiers, without filters, are approximately only 43% as effective as Atmosphere in removing contaminants from the air. It would take almost sixteen of The Sharper Image® Ionic Breeze® units (15.6 units) to clean the area of one Atmosphere – and with far less effectiveness and efficiency. Competitive units with filters – either HEPA or carbon or both are often very effective at handling smoke or dust, but see a reduction in efficiency when it comes to other contaminants. Atmosphere is equally effective at reducing and removing smoke, dust, and pollen, and is very energy efficient as well. Trademarks: The Sharper Image and Ionic Breeze (Sharper Image Corp., San Francisco, Calif.).

What is the difference between the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier and the Ionization-type air cleaners we hear about?
ATMOSPHERE uses CLARUS™ a three (3) stage mechanical filtration system featuring a pre-filter, particulate filter and carbon filter. They remove contaminants and pollutants from the air that is drawn into the system, safely, effectively and are low in maintenance. The ionizer-type systems use a technology called ESP (Electrostatic precipitation) where electronically charged metal plates ‘trap’ particles and many then supplement with ion discharge as a means of cleaning the air in the room. These technologies are usually very inefficient at removing particles from the air in that most of the contaminant that was drawn into the system was blown back into the room and the ionized particles will then collect on surfaces within the room such as furniture, walls, ceiling and floors, including the occupant. The contaminant is not really removed it is just deposited back into the room. The ESP technology also suffers from high maintenance and requires frequent cleanings to maintain performance. Testing has verified that most of these types were ineffective in removing dust, smoke and other particles from the air and exposes users to potentially harmful ozone levels. This is a concern for those with asthma, respiratory illnesses and allergies.

What should I know about the ozone produced by electronic or ionic-type air cleaners?
Ozone is a gas that is a strong oxidizer and is considered harmful to human health even at relatively low concentrations. It is produced by electrical discharges, specific wavelength light and by photochemical reactions between sunlight and smog. Manufacturers of ozone creating devices often use misleading terms to describe ozone, such as "energized oxygen" or "pure air" to suggest that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen. Ozone is a toxic gas with vastly different chemical and toxicological properties from oxygen.

The same chemical properties that allow high concentrations of ozone to react with organic material outside the body give it the ability to react with similar organic material that makes up the body, and potentially cause harmful health consequences. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs (see - "Ozone and Your Health" - www.epa.gov/airnow/brochure.html). Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, eye irritation, and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.

To be effective in removing most indoor air contaminants the concentration of ozone would have to greatly exceed health standards. In the process of reacting with chemicals indoors, ozone can produce other chemicals that themselves can be irritating and corrosive.

Why do we use HEPA instead of a UV light in our system? The particulates that the HEPA filter reduces - don't they build up in the filter and cause problems?
The technologies of HEPA filtration and UV light target different contaminates, with a little overlap. HEPA filtration targets particulate and biological contaminants while UV light can be used against odors and to destroy biological contaminates such as bacteria, fungal spores, and viruses. HEPA filtration works by trapping the biological contaminates within the fibers of the filter media where they can not thrive because the material used is anti-bacterial in nature and because there is not enough moisture to support growth or life. UV doesn't trap any contaminates but attempts to destroy the biological contaminates as they pass through the UV field if enough contact time and proper wavelength of light is used. In our opinion HEPA filtration is far superior to UV in terms of room cleaning performance. The only challenge with the build up of contaminates on the HEPA filter is that it requires replacement at the end of filter life but with throwing out the filter, all of the collected contaminates go with it, a big positive. UV needs bulb(s) replaced about once a year and by itself, doesn't remove any contaminates from the air.

How many speeds does the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier have?
The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier features five different speeds, plus an automatic mode that can sense particles in the air and switch the unit to the appropriate speed to keep the air in a room clean and fresh. The five speeds and automatic mode may be selected on the unit control panel, or by the remote control. The five speeds include Whisper, Low, Medium, High, and Turbo.

Can the unit be reset?
If normal troubleshooting processes are not effective, call Technical Support for help.

How does the AUTO mode or Particle Sensor function?
The AUTO mode features IntelliSense technology – exclusive to the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier. This provides an automatic mode that monitors and protects the quality of your room’s environment, even when you’re not there. The IntelliSense monitoring system is highly sensitive and can detect contaminant particles such as smoke, dust and pollen. It will increase or decrease the speed of operation to remove particles as needed and provide a display of how clean or dirty the air in the room environment is at any point in time. The particle sensor is active whenever the air purifier is running and it detects the density of airborne particulate contaminants (amount of particulate contaminant in a specific volume of air). When the air is very dirty, all five bars on the display are red; as the air is cleaned by the air purifier, the display changes to four red bars, then to three yellow, two yellow, and finally – when the air is clean – one green bar. Knowing how clean the air in the room is helps you make an appropriate selection when setting the fan speed manually. Otherwise, you can select Auto Mode by pressing the AUTO button, and let IntelliSense control the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier’s speed.

How can I clean the system?
Wipe the exterior surfaces with a damp cloth and dry. If very dirty, use a mild detergent solution, such as LEGACY OF CLEAN Multi-Purpose Cleaner. Do not use abrasive cleaners or products containing ammonia, alcohol, or paint thinner. These cleaners may damage the surface.

What type of operating modes are available?
Continuous Operation includes the Manual and Auto modes defined below:

1. MANUAL Mode – Provides continuous operation until you turn the Air Purifier off or change to another mode. Fan speed remains the same until you change it manually.
2. AUTO Mode – Provides continuous operation until you turn the Air Purifier off or change to another mode. Fan speed automatically changes in response to input from the particulate Sensor: the dirtier the air, the higher the fan speed. **For maximum air cleaning effectiveness, continuous operation is recommended.

Manual Operation includes the Timer and Turbo modes defined below:

1. TIMER Mode – Operates for a specified time period, which you select, at a fan speed you select. At the end of the selected time (from ½ – 12 hours), Air Purifier turns off.
2. TURBO Mode – Provides a burst of cleaning power. Air purifier operates at highest speed (speed 5 or turbo) for 30 minutes, then returns to the previous mode of operation and speed.

Does the unit utilize much energy consumption?
ATMOSPHERE has earned the U.S. government’s ENERGY STAR® rating by exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection strict guidelines for energy efficient performance. This agency sets the criteria to help shoppers for large and small home appliances identify the most energy-efficient products on the market. Customers can be assured that the appliance is a high-performance product that will lower its monthly operating costs for the life of the product. The following table contains nominal energy use values at each operating speed and off mode.

Speed	Watts
Off	0.8
1	3.2
2	7.4
3	15
4	29
5	or Turbo 51

What is “CADR” and what is CADR of the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier?
CADR is an acronym for Clean Air Delivery Rate and is a performance rating that measures the volume of purified air an air treatment system can deliver in a minute’s time. It is considered by many as the best method for determining a portable air treatment systems initial room cleaning performance because it challenges the entire air treatment system with contaminants that are common to our households such as, smoke, dust, and pollen. The testing is done in a real room and has been reviewed and referenced by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

How many filters are in the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier?
There are three filters featured in the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier’s CLARUS filtration system. There is a nano composite pre-filter, a better then HEPA grade particle filter, and a chemically engineered activated carbon filter.

What does the pre-filter do?
The pre-filter is made from a nano composite technology material and removes larger airborne lint and dust particles from the air before they enter the particulate filter.

What does the carbon filter in my ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier do?
The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier also features an carbon filter that utilizes 1,900 grams of a chemically engineered activated carbon that has a surface area approximately equal to 366 US football fields (226 soccer fields) or over 17 million square feet (1.6 million square meters). The two catalysts used along with the expansive surface area effectively reduces formaldehyde, dioxin, ozone, and odors from smoking, cooking, pets and other household sources.

What is a HEPA filter and what does it do?
HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor and is a performance standard for particulate filters. In order to achieve a true ‘HEPA’ rating, a particulate filter needs to capture 99.97% of 0.3 micron sized particles that are drawn into it, at rated airflow. The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is more efficient by eliminating up to 99.99% of particulate contaminants between 0.009 microns and larger that were drawn into the system, not just the filter media. The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier has been scientifically proven to effectively remove 7 classes containing 80 different particulate contaminants such as airborne allergens, bacteria, fungal spores, pollen, viruses, minerals including asbestos, and radon decay by-products.

What is single pass efficiency and is the low speed single pass efficiency improved over the Advanced ATS?
Low speed single pass efficiency is the ability of the filter to remove particles from the air that are flowing through the ATS at the lowest speed setting. Single pass efficiency is listed as a percentage of upstream and downstream particles and is normally conditioned by both particle size and airflow. The ATMOSPHERE™ Air Purifier was tested and achieved better than HEPA (HEPA = 99.97% at 0.3 microns at rated speed) by removing a minimum of 99.997% of the contaminate KCL in the 0.2-0.3 micron size range on speed 5 and results were slightly better on low speed where the system removed a minimum of 99.998%. Even the most penetrating particle size of 0.1 microns was reduced by a minimum of 99.990% on speed 5.

What is the difference between True HEPA filter of ATMOSPHERE and HEPA type filter of Advanced ATS?
We continue to work on the technologies used in our air treatment products to improve their performance. The particulate filter used in the CLARUS™ filtration system was developed exclusively for the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier and has performance characteristics that make it extraordinary. HEPA is a performance rating, which means that the filter media has achieved a 99.97% reduction of particles that are 0.3 microns in size. Our particulate filter is different and has been enhanced with 2 special processes that improve the performance of both airflow and particle reduction. This is how we’ve achieved better than HEPA performance for the entire ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier and why we can claim up to 99.99% removal of any particle size from 0.009 and larger at any speed of ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier's operation.

The filter used in the Advanced ATS was and is a good filter but doesn't have the performance of the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier filter. The Advanced ATS filter media shows potential HEPA performance at medium speed and potentially better than HEPA performance at low speed but at high speed and Turbo the performance was less than HEPA. ATMOSPHERE is better than HEPA at any speed and against any particle size from 0.009 micron and greater and is not limited to just the 0.3 micron size.

Is there air leakage around the HEPA filter and if so, what is the percentage?
No, it seals tightly. There is a soft gasket material around the perimeter of the particulate filter that provides an excellent seal for greater efficiency. The average leakage value reported by an independent laboratory was 0.00015% and can be attributed to the measurement variation within our target 3 digit test accuracy. The deviation between filter and system was so small it is considered negligible.

What is the HEPA filter made from and is it OSHA approved?
The particulate filter is made from an enhanced non woven melt blown polypropylene material. While OSHA does not approve products, OSHA does recommend the use of HEPA filters in certain occupational settings. It is reassuring to know that the filter used in ATMOSPHERE has exceeded the HEPA requirements. In fact, it has been tested by an independent laboratory and demonstrated better than HEPA performance.

Is there a performance curve to verify the reduction of particulates that are 0.009 micron in size?
We have independent laboratory test results supporting our removal of 99.996% of particulate contaminants that are drawn into the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier at the 0.009 microns size and these are available via the Technical Information Packet.

Does the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier filter any microbes from the air?
Yes, the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can effectively filter a variety of airborne particles including bacteria, viruses and fungal spores. The specific claims are listed in the product literature.

Were the specific microbes in the literature tested?
No. Some of the microbes listed are pathogenic to humans and were not tested with the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier. An accredited independent laboratory tested the ATMOSPHERE with test dust to determine how well the product filtered various sizes of particles. The resulting data was provided to an expert on filtration of airborne allergens and pathogens. This professor is an aerobiological engineer. He used computational modeling to predict the ability of the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier to provide high levels of air filtration.

How do we know that this expert can use computer modeling to predict the removal of different microbes?
This expert is known throughout the industry and is very well respected for his work with computer modeling. He has been working with the filtration of particles from air for a number of years, has published a number of scientific papers and has validated the computer model predictions against actual filtration testing of microbes. He has authored a book on the use of air filtration to defend buildings from bio-weapons. He is also a consultant to the US Homeland Security Agency on defending buildings from biological attack.

Does the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier filter the Avian Influenza virus?
Yes, the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can effectively filter a variety of viruses, including Influenza A viruses. The computer model predicts that the Influenza A viruses would be filtered by 99.992%. Since the Avian flu viruses are in the Influenza A virus class, the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier could effectively filter the Avian Influenza virus However, since a primary route of exposure to this virus is by physical contact, not inhalation, the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier should not be used as your only means of protection against Influenza A viruses.

Does that mean that the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can protect us from airborne disease causing microbes like the Avian flu?
No, the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier can help reduce the risk, but it can only treat the air that is drawn into the system. It cannot protect a person from nearby coughing or sneezing. Many respiratory viral diseases are also spread by hand contact with other people or from hard surfaces, such as doorknobs.

Can the bacteria and viruses trapped on the filter, multiply and escape back into the air?
No, viruses require living cells to reproduce, and both bacteria and viruses require water and nutrients to reproduce. Most pathogenic bacteria and viruses are destroyed due to dehydration caused by the airflow through the filter. HEPA filters also have a long history of use in applications like hospital isolation wards, to prevent the spread of airborne microbes.

In addition to ATMOSPHERE, is Advanced ATS able to remove Dioxins and VOCs?
We cannot make a VOC claim. Activated carbon cannot significantly reduce the VOCs in a room, for an extended period of time, unless hundreds of kilograms of carbon are used. The capacity of activated carbon for VOCs is quite low, and the humidity in the air lowers the capacity further. If someone was to start a new ATS filter in a room with VOCs they would find that they were removed from the air. The carbon can perform quite well for a short period of time, but once the capacity of carbon is reached, it will not remove the VOCs. Competitors will often make claims for reducing VOCs and they even show data. However, it is only a very short test and does not reflect the true performance over the life of the filter.

The reduction of formaldehyde is different, than VOCs. In ATMOSPHERE we are using catalysts on the carbon to destroy (oxidize) the formaldehyde. The testing showed that the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier reduced the formaldehyde by more than 70% over the rated life of the filter. The Advanced ATS was tested for the removal of formaldehyde but the removal performance was not high enough to meet our criteria for a reduction claim.

The dioxins are removed by a combination of filtration by the Particulate filter and the carbon filter. Most of the dioxins in the air are attached to dust particles, which are effectively removed by the HEPA filter. However, the dioxins will slowly evaporate from the trapped dust particles, which will be adsorbed by the carbon filter. Although the carbon filter has a limited capacity for compounds such as VOCs, it has a very high capacity for dioxins. The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier has been shown to reduce dioxins by more than 75% over the life of the filter. Again the Advanced ATS was tested for the removal of dioxin but the removal performance was not high enough to meet our criteria for a reduction claim.

How will I know it is time to replace the odor or particulate filters and clean the pre-filter, do I need to keep track of hours of usage for each filter?
No, both the particulate and the odor filters have electronic indicators that will alert you when it is time to change filters and there is an indicator to alert you when the pre-filter needs to be cleaned as well. The filter monitor icons will display which filter needs attention and the colors will indicate the status:

Color	Filters	Condition	Response
Green	All 3	Satisfactory	Until color changes
Amber	HEPA & Odor	Should be replaced soon	About 2 weeks
Red	Pre-filter	Needs cleaning	Will blink until you clean the pre-filter and reset
Red	HEPA & Odor	Replace immediately	Will blink until the HEPA or odor filters are replaced and reset
NOTE: Whenever a filter monitor shows Amber or Red, the Air Purifier beeps three times each time you press a control button as an added reminder that a filter needs attention. Remember to reset the filter monitors after cleaning or replacing any of the filters.

How often do we change the carbon or particulate filters and clean the pre-filter?

• Pre-Filter: Should be cleaned when needed, varies between 2 and 12 months and is dependant on the hours of usage/day + speed of operation. We recommend cleaning the IntelliSense (particle) Sensor Filter at the same time.
• HEPA: Is a replace only filter and life varies between 3 months to 5 years. The life is dependent on the hours of usage/day + speed of operation + particulate sensor readings. Replace as your unit indicates.
• Carbon: Is a replace only filter and life varies between 4 to 12 months. The life is dependent on the hours of usage/day + speed of operation. Replace as your unit indicates.

How do I maintain the filters in my ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier?
The best method for cleaning the pre-filter and the particulate sensor filter is to vacuum them. They may also be rinsed in water or washed with a mild detergent solution such as L.O.C.™ Multi-Purpose Cleaner, but they should be completely dry when they are returned to the unit. The carbon filter and the particulate filter are replace only filters, these filters should not be cleaned but will need to be replaced periodically. Please refer to the owner’s manual for complete instructions concerning filter access.

Could you please give some information on the new motor?
The motor is German made and utilizes an EC (Electrically Commutated) design that offers advantages in performance, efficiency, noise and size. It delivers almost twice the performance of our previous motor in that we deliver more airflow against an increased filter resistance and use 50 to 80% less power depending on speed. The motor has less vibration due to the electronic drive circuitry, which translates to lower motor noise and it also assisted in the smaller overall size because of its slim design. The motor is protected by 3 European patents and it is exclusive to the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier, no one else has this motor/blower system.

Is the pre-filter of ATMOSPHERE the same as the Advanced ATS?
The level of mesh of the prefilter is not the same as the Advanced E2526 ATS. ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier’s prefilter offers a larger surface area and less resistance to air movement, is less susceptible to aging/chemical attack and is more robust in general, and is easier to clean.

Were any patents acquired?
Yes, there has been one patent granted and five patents are pending:

• AM1153: Air Treatment System – Granted – This design patent application is directed towards the ornamental appearance of the Atmosphere air treatment system.
• WN3116: Air Treatment Filter and Related Method – Pending – This application is directed towards an activated carbon filter. Also provided is a method to treat a gas stream with the filter.
• WN3120: Control Panel Assembly – Pending – This application is directed towards a control panel assembly, and more particularly, towards a control panel assembly for an air treatment system.
• WN3121: Control Methods for an Air Treatment System – Pending – This application relates to control systems and methods, and more particularly to control systems and methods for an air treatment system.
• WN3122: Air Treatment System – Pending – This application relates to various mechanical features that can be incorporated in an air treatment system.
• WN3123: Filter – Pending – This design application is directed towards the ornamental appearance of a filter for an air treatment system.

My Atmosphere Air Purifier just stopped working. What do I do?
Contact Customer Support at 800-253-7088 from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. As of September 1, 2005, this number will be 800-253-6500. The new hours will be 8 a.m.–midnight, Monday through Friday, and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

What is the satisfaction guarantee and warranty?
The Atmosphere Air Purifier carries a 120-day satisfaction guarantee and is warranted to be free of manufacturing defects (for residential use) for two years from the date of original purchase. The remote control is included in the overall system warranty. The filters do not carry a separate warranty.
More Information
Limited Warranty

What does this warranty cover?
Amway Global Inc. ("Amway Global") warrants that the ATMOSPHERE™ Air Purifier (except for the filters) will not prove defective (as defined below) under normal use for two years from the date of purchase. An item will be considered "defective" if it is defective in materials or workmanship and if the defect materially impairs the performance or value of the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier to the original purchaser.

What does this warranty not cover?
This Limited Warranty does not cover:

• Any ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier that has been subjected to any use that is different than or inconsistent with the use instructions in the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier Owners Manual.
• Any ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier that has been subjected to any abuse, accident, physical damage, improper installation or application, alteration, neglect, improper temperature, humidity or other environmental conditions (including, but not limited to, lightening, flood or fire).
• Any ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier that has been damaged due to improper repair, modification, alteration or maintenance by anyone other than an authorized service warranty representative of Amway Global.
• Any defect or diminished performance caused by the use of any part or accessory that is not compatible with the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier.

How will the use of non-authorized parts or accessories affect the performance of your ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier?
Performance claims relating to the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier were developed through testing of the complete unit as designed by the manufacturer, and as installed and operated as recommended by the manufacturer. The use of replacement parts or accessory attachments not recommended by the manufacturer may result in diminished system performance. Amway Global does not warrant the performance of any non-ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier parts or accessories, and is not responsible for any damage to the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier caused by any non-ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier parts or accessories.

What will Amway Global do if your ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is defective?
If any ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier that has not been altered or subjected to tampering, misuse, or abuse proves to have been defective during the Warranty period then, subject to timely notification of the claimed defect, Amway Global will, at its option, either repair or replace the defective item at its expense.

How and when must you make a claim under this limited warranty?
For service under this Warranty in the United States, please contact Amway Global Inc. via telephone at 1-800-253-6500, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight, Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time BEFORE you return anything, for shipping and handling instructions. Then return the claimed defective product to Amway Global Inc. at 5101 Spaulding Plaza, Ada, Michigan 49355, together with a copy of a sales receipt or other proof of purchase and a brief description of the product defect.

For service under this Warranty in Canada, please contact Amway Global Canada Corporation, Product Support at 1-800-265-5470 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time BEFORE, you return anything, for shipping and handling instructions. Then return the defective product to Amway Global Canada Corporation, Box 7780, London Station Main, London, Ontario N5Y 5W3, together with a copy of a sales receipt or other proof of purchase and a brief description of the product defect.

No warranty claim may be made unless the purchaser has notified Amway Global of the claimed defect by writing or telephoning Amway Global within 30 days after its discovery (but in all events no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable warranty period). Upon receipt of an ATMOSPHERE> Air Purifier that is claimed to be defective, Amway Global will determine, in its reasonable discretion, whether the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is defective. By accepting a returned ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier for inspection, Amway Global does not concede that the returned unit is defective. Amway Global will bear the expense of shipping, both ways, with respect to the repair or replacement of any defective ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier within the warranty period. If, in Amway Global’s opinion, the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is not defective, it will be returned to the purchaser.

Other important limitations
If Amway Global fails to repair or replace any defective item within a reasonable time, its liability under this Warranty will in all events be limited to the purchase price of the defective ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier. Except as provided under Federal, State or Provincial laws, no person is authorized to or may modify or expand the warranty provided herein, waive any of the conditions and limitations of this Warranty, or make any different or additional warranties with respect to the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier. Any statements to the contrary shall be of no effect unless made in writing and signed by an authorized officer of Amway Global.

Except as provided under Federal, State or Provincial laws, this Limited Warranty sets forth the purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedies for any defect in the Atmosphere Air Purifier, and THE WARRANTIES STATED HEREIN ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT FOR THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ANY OTHER NON-DISCLAIMABLE WARRANTIES IMPOSED BY FEDERAL, STATE OR PROVINCIAL LAW. NO SUCH NON-DISCLAIMABLE WARRANTY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY AND THE WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SHALL BE FOR TERMS EXTENDING BEYOND THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY DESCRIBED ABOVE. Notwithstanding the foregoing, some states or provinces do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you.

This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state or province to province. The laws of some jurisdictions do not permit the exclusion or limitation of certain rights or remedies provided by such laws. As this Warranty is subject to such laws, some of the limitations or restrictions contained in this Warranty may not apply to you. The provisions of this Warranty are in addition to and not a modification of or subtraction from the statutory warranties contained in state or provincial laws.

AMWAY GLOBAL, INC. SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, INDIRECT, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT AND BASED UPON BREACH OF WARRANTY, BREACH OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT TORT OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY. IN PARTICULAR, AND WITHOUT LIMITATION, AMWAY GLOBAL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE, LOST PROFITS, OR OTHER ECONOMIC INJURY, NOR UPON ANY CLAIM BASED ON ALLEGED NEGLIGENT DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE OF ANY GOODS, OR THE OMISSION OF ANY WARNING WITH RESPECT THERETO. Some states or provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you.

Satisfaction Guarantee
We stand behind the quality of our products and guarantee your satisfaction. If for any reason you try our product and are not completely satisfied, you may return it within 120 days of purchase for an exchange or refund of the product price and applicable tax. This satisfaction guarantee does not apply to IBO purchases for stock or inventory. "
-Reposted from Amway.com