Hilton recongizes the needs of those suffering with asthma and allergies.

Those of use who live with Asthma every day, especially when triggered by severe allergies, already know how to modify our home and work environments to minimize the affects of pet dander, dust and dust mites, pollen, and other environmental triggers. However, how do you take the best care of yourself when you travel, where you have no control over your environment? Hilton hotels have recognized our needs and plans to address them.

According to a recent article in the Daily Herald online (http://www.dailyherald.com/bu siness/story.asp?id=299497), 5,000 Hilton hotel rooms in 80 cities will begin renovations to improve air quality in the third or fourth quarters of 2007. With over 50 million Americans suffering from allergies, these new "enviro-rooms" are a step in the right direction. Negotiations between Hilton and Environmental Technology are in the final stages. The plan is to completely gut 5 percent of the rooms at 248 hotels, and convert them to allergen-reduced rooms. Room modifications may include such features as hardwood floors, all-cotton bedding, anti-microbial treatments on faucets and doorknobs, and wallpaper that is dotted with thousands of pin-sized holes to prevent trapped moisture from causing mold growth.

In addition, all of the paints, glues, and other adhesives used in construction must meet specific guidelines, and they are trying to eliminate anything that will collect dust or odors. A system is put into place to monitor air quality and to notify staff of any problems. According to a representative of the engineering department at Environmental Technology, enviro-rooms are supposed to be eight to twelve times cleaner than normal rooms.

These features will come with an added cost to the guest. Guests staying in an enviro-room at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport hotel pay an additional $25 per night. The hotel installed two enviro-rooms back in 2005, and because of the positive feedback and customer demand, has converted eleven more rooms.

Will guests all over the country be willing to pay extra for one of these extra-clean rooms? Recent changes to local laws in some US cities, banning smoking in or near businesses, point to an increased awareness of the importance of clean air. Increased publicity about global warming and the trend towards "green" built homes illustrate the consumer demand for more environmentally friendly products. A cleaner planet means less pollution and better air quality for all of us, which makes a huge impact on the quality of life for people sensitive to air quality.

The Hilton family of hotels seems to recognize the special needs of those with allergies and asthma, which we can only hope will lead the way for other businesses to make the changes necessary to accommodate such a large portion of the population.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Blaney.
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