LYSOL® Does More to Help During Allergy Season

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the nearly 50 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, spring can be a difficult time of year(1). With warmer weather, families are inclined to spend more time outside, whether it be walking, biking, swimming or simply enjoying the flowers and trees in full bloom. Many people assume that the great outdoors is the only place where allergens exist and once inside their home, they are protected from triggers. If you're one of these individuals – think again!

Allergens from outside are easily transferred indoors and often exist on common areas throughout one's home including hard surfaces.  In fact, recent studies about allergens have shown that over half of homes in the U.S. contained at least six detectable allergens. Research shows that indoor allergens are one of the most important sources of "one in five" Americans developing an allergy related disorder(2). That is why LYSOL, as part of the Lysol Mission for Health program, is doing more to help allergy sufferers.

For families who suffer from allergies, it is important to take the right steps to help allergy proof your home.   LYSOL® has enlisted Pediatrician and author, Dr. Laura Jana, as well as Lysol Microbiologist, Joe Rubino, to help identify allergen triggers and ways to avoid them.  Use the links below to view the full "Allergy-Proofing Your Home" video series.

Tips on Allergy-Proofing your Home

• Foyer: When you come indoors, brush off your shoes to avoid tracking pollen throughout your home(3).
• Hard Surfaces: Finished wood baseboards, window sills and tables may all harbor allergens like pollen particles and pet dander. Lysol Disinfecting Wipes provide a dual benefit because they remove more than 95% of allergens and also kill 99.9% of germs on hard non-porous surfaces when used as directed.
• Living Room / Common Spaces: Vacuum carpets and soft furnishings regularly to pick up dust, dust mite debris, and other allergens like pet dander. If possible, opt for hardwood floors which can be easily cleaned and keep pets off furniture.
• Children's Rooms: Reduce exposure to dust mites by covering your child's mattress and pillows with special allergy-proof encasings. Wash bedding in hot water every 1 to 2 weeks.
• Kitchen / Bathroom: Mold is sometimes found in the home often due to excessive moisture, which can result from water damage or high humidity. Repair any water leaks and control indoor humidity by using exhaust fans.  Add a dehumidifier in areas with naturally high humidity, and use a product like Lysol Disinfectant Spray to kill the source of mold allergens on surfaces.

Taking these steps during your regular cleaning routine can reduce allergens in the home and help keep your family thriving throughout the allergy season.

To watch the videos and find other tips and tools to help control allergens, visit lysol.com/healthy-families/allergens.

About LYSOL® / Reckitt Benckiser

Reckitt Benckiser (RB) is a world leader in household, health and personal care. It is a FTSE top 25 company and since 2000, net revenues have doubled and the market cap has quadrupled.  Today it is the global No 1 or No 2 in the majority of its fast-growing categories, driven by an exceptional rate of innovation – typically about 35 percent of net revenue comes from innovations launched in the prior three years. It has a strong portfolio led by 19 global powerbrands which are: Finish, Lysol, Dettol, Vanish, Woolite, Durex, Calgon, Airwick, Harpic, Bang, Mortein, Veet, Nurofen, Clearasil, Strepsils Gaviscon, Mucinex, Scholl and French's, and they account for 70% of net revenue. RB people are at the heart of the company's success. They have an intense drive for progress and action and a desire to outperform wherever they focus, including in CSR where the company has the most ambitious corporate responsibility program in the industry through its Carbon 20 initiative.  Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the company employs about 25,000 people worldwide, with operations in over 60 countries and sales in almost 200 countries.  For more information, please visit www.RB.com.

(1) http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30

(2) Salo PM et al. Exposure to multiple indoor allergens in U.S. homes and its relationship to asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008; 121: 678-684.e2.

(3) http://www.aaaai.org/patients/advocate/2006/spring/gardening.asp

Contact: Christina Petroni
Porter Novelli
(212) 601-8164
[email protected]

SOURCE LYSOL