Our Sensitive Choice® program aims to increase community awareness and understanding about managing asthma and allergies.
A new program that will help people with asthma and allergy make better purchasing decisions - for their health’s sake - has been launched across the country by the National Asthma Council Australia. The ‘Sensitive Choice’ program, which encourages companies to be asthma aware and to develop products that will be better choices, allows approved products to feature the new Sensitive Choice blue butterfly logo on packaging and advertising.
All products are reviewed by the Sensitive Choice Product Advisory Panel comprising experts in allergy, respiratory medicine, pharmacy, general practice, industrial chemistry and consumer issues. Only products that are clearly a better choice for people with asthma or allergy are included on the Sensitive Choice register.
Already the growing range of Sensitive Choice products includes air-conditioners, vacuum cleaners, bedding, air purifiers, pool and spa chemicals, building products and personal care products.
According to National Asthma Council Chief Executive Officer, Kristine Whorlow, over two million Australians have asthma and 40 per cent of Australians suffer from allergies.
"These people want good information to help them make better purchasing decisions that have the potential to benefit their health and improve the quality of life, and that is the aim of the Sensitive Choice program,” she said.
“Unfortunately, we can’t say that these products are the very best choice for everyone, because asthma and allergy in different people reacts differently to different triggers.
“We want to encourage manufacturers and suppliers to produce goods and services which have the potential to be of benefit to people with asthma and allergy.
“Of course, seeking medical advice for asthma and allergy is the essential first step, as is continuing to follow your doctor’s advice,” she explained.
“And now, the Sensitive Choice butterfly can also help people with asthma and allergies when it comes to making purchasing decisions.”
The National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program has also been adopted by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand with the Sensitive Choice butterfly starting to appear on products in that country.
The Sensitive Choice register of approved products is regularly updated and expanded and available via the website: www.sensitivechoice.com.au.
Sensitive Choice Product Snapshots
Some of the early products approved for the Sensitive Choice register included:
Air Conditioning / Heating
• Aeris Guard air conditioner treatment
• Daikin air conditioners and air purifiers
• Hydronic Heating Australia
Bedding
• Aaxis Sleep Comfort low allergy mattress and pillow protectors
• Dunlop Enduro, Stamina, Viscoflex, Opulence and Luxura mattress foams
• Jaspa Herinton pillows, quilts and underlay all treated with HealthGuard or Ultrafresh
• MiniJumbuk woollen quilts, pillows and underlay
• Tontine - pillows and quilts
Building Products
• Bradford Gold residential building insulation and SoundScreen soundproofing insulation
Healthcare / Personal Health
• Ansell surgical powder free gloves
• Ego Pharmaceuticals low irritant sunscreen and skin care products
• Panadol pain relievers from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
• Narium nasal drops and Aquae dry mouth spray from Hamilton Laboratories
Flooring
• Dunlop Comfort Choice carpet and flooring underlay treated with Ultrafresh
Furnishings
• Warwick Fabrics furnishing fabrics treated with HealthGuard
Paint
• Taubmans Easycoat paint range with Microban
Pool / Spa Chemicals
• Pool and Spa Poppits
Vacuum Cleaners
• Dyson HEPA filter domestic vacuum cleaners
Washing Machines / Dryers
• LG Electronics Steam Combined Washer and Dryer
For further information, or to arrange an interview with a National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson, please contact:
Kelly Ward
Ward Communications Pty Ltd
Tel: 03 9744 1855
Mob: 0407 860 834