EcoQuest "Fresh Air" air purification system

EcoQuest "Fresh Air" air purification system

October 30, 2005

I am interested in earning extra income. As an asthma sufferer I am also concerned about the air quality in our home. EcoQuest promotes itself as being "America's best Spiritual based home business opportunity." At first, EcoQuest seemed a perfect fit. The company promoted itself as having high ethical standards marketing products for good health, pure air and water. I had hoped to become a part-time dealer. My wife and I received a "Fresh Air" by EcoQuest as a free three-day test unit from Don King, a former school principal from a small town in Alberta, Canada. The unit retails for $699 (American dollars) plus taxes. A dealer may purchase one for $449. Don, or Sky King, as he sees himself, brags that he has earned nearly $100,000 in his first eight months with the company. I found his manner and tactics rude, offensive and demeaning. I wonder, did he learn these through the extensive EcoQuest Training System? The "Fresh Air" unit is compact, comparable in size to a small, table-top stereo speaker. It has a purification plate which is cleaned with ammonia and hot water and a lint filter which may be be vacuumed or washed in hot water. This filter is more to protect the machine than to remove particles from the air. The five speed fan has a noise level comparable to a portable air conditioner, quiet on low speed, noisy on high. The fan also cools the well-ventilated machine so heat buildup is not a problem. It uses photo catalytic oxidation technology to cover an area up to 3000 square feet. EcoQuest sales literature claims that their units can sanitize mold, mildew and bacteria and can greatly reduce allergens such as dust, dander and pollen. I questioned Don King about how one measures the amount of dust, dander and pollen being removed from the air, and how does one measure the amount of mold mildew and bacteria being killed? If I was to market this unit I wanted to be able to show that it was doing what was claimed. When I asked Don for proof he quoted scientific theory and meaningless marketing hype but provided no tests that could be easily conducted in the home. He advised me that I should be more positive and have more faith. I was referred to an article entitled “Overcoming One’s Limiting Thoughts”. Don sensed my reluctance to accept all of the EcoQuest claims on faith. He suggested that if I did not act on the dealership proposal that he was offering I would always remain a loser. In April 2001 a federal court entered an injunction barring Alpine and EcoQuest from "making any claims that the 'air purifiers' sold by the company remove any indoor air pollutant, except for 'visible' tobacco smoke and some odors." I have no doubt that the EcoQuest "Fresh Air" removes "visible" tobacco smoke and some odors. So does opening a window! I resented Don King's bullying tactics and found them very offensive. EcoQuest touts itself as an ethical company. Where are the ethics? In my experience EcoQuest represents the lowest level of direct marketing. EcoQuest is about making money, it is not about pure air or health care. I

tested their "Fresh Air" unit in my home and experienced no results whatsoever, nothing but an empty promise. Don't accept EcoQuest claims on faith. Search "EcoQuest scams" using any internet search engine. EcoQuest is still promoting their "air purification systems" to asthma and allergy sufferers with the claim that they can be of some health benefit. According to the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, Alpine Industries and its marketing operation EcoQuest have been barred from "claiming that their products prevent, or provide relief from, medical conditions of any kind." I say to EcoQuest, "Prove your claims, or get out of the market!"

Sincerely,

Dennis

Ottawa, Canada Click this link to e-mail the message author: Email User

Comment On This

I don't know what the big fuss is about. I got an Eco Box and liked it so much, I became a dealer on Vancouver Island. The technology simply makes breathing easier in our house. And customers I have sold the product to say the same thing. I don't think any product can make absolute medical claims. All I know is I feel healther.

There certainly is some good science backing up the technologies effectiveness:

"Kansas State University (Manhattan) studies show that the technology in the Eco Box kills Staph (Staphylococcus aureus), MRSA (Methycillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus), E-Coli (Escherichia coli), Anthrax family (Bacillus spp.), Strep, (Streptococcus spp.), Pseudomonas aureuginos, Listeria monocytogenes, Candida albicans, Black Mold (Stachybotrys chartarum), Avian Influenza H5N8." (Jounal of Rapid Methods & Microbiology, 15, (2007) 359-368.)

Sounds to me like simply a personality conflict between Dennis and Don. Whose to say who is right and who is wrong, and frankly, who cares.

I know a lot of my friends on Van. Island have the flu, and my family doesn't. That doesn't mean I am claiming the Eco Box protects us from the flu, but I would sure hate to be without it right now.

September 29,09

Jack Ricord

ricord AT shaw.ca

Comment On This

Comment On This

I bought two Fresh Air units about 10 years ago, & I frankly don't care about the company's spiritual thoughts. Most people operate in the lower third of the 77 degrees of consciousness anyway. It's like playing Alan Watts' Game of Black & White and it's all foolishness. Get over yourself.

Regardless, the units I have do exactly what they're advertised to do. I use two because I have a four-level house with over 3000 sf of space. I've had people in my house before who smoked before they came in, and I just turned up the nearer unit and pushed the ozone button, and an hour later the smoke smell had left their clothing. What more do you want?

Comment On This

I am a mold inspector, biocide applicator, and an indoor air quality specialist with the beginning of COPD. I got certified through NORMI (National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors-1500 members)who stand behind the Ecoquest technology. I did quite a bit of research on RGF and the product/technology itself and found that there is a lot of rediculous statements by failed dealers. It isn't that the products are bad, it is failed dealers who thought they could get rich quick. My EQ business flopped because I didn't stick with the system. When I did I made 3700 in my 1st 6 weeks. I just got bored, but that wasn't the company. EQ bought RGF's light industrial and residential divisions. The Chinese govt proved it killed SARS and then they bought 110,000 units. Plus there is plenty of testimonies. My mother in law has respiratory issues was fine after I gave her a fresh air to use and my own COPD on some of the hot days I had to be in my apartment, the air was bad outside and even in my neighbors apt I couldn't breath...so I am sold, which is why I can sell em. Plus I have had mold issues every time I lend out my unit so it is obvious that it works. I think they may not be effective for 3000 sq ft but 2 ecoboxes for better circulation will do 3000 great for the same price...or a Fresh Air and an Ecobox for a larger place. All my relatives have children with serious allergies on my moms side....and there are several kids on that side who have kids now...so I have a bunch of family members who think they are great...plus the way they destroy oder. I am at associate manager level so I make a larger commission on those under me but I must say it really is a great company but I wouldn't suggest getting into it full time unless you are great at self discipline and can make calls for a few hours a day...and follow directions. There are many different "plans" you can use so I am going to use a different method and see what happens. I never loan my unit out anymore. I bought 2more Fresh Airs and I just ordered and ecobox to do that with. The ecobox is neat cuz it has the new 4 sided RCI cell that requires no maintenance