Instructions


General Overview:
1. Receive vacuum cleaner and sampling kit in the mail
2. Sample your air conditioner filter
3. Send the sample back to UT
4. UT researchers come to your home to sample

Your contribution to the research process will consist of the following 4 easy steps:

1. Preparation: Along with this kit you should have received a Eureka Vacuum Cleaner from Amazon (in a separate package). Please make sure this vacuum works and place the ice pack included in this kit in the freezer.
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2. Sampling: Following the detailed directions that will be provided to you, you will sample your filter. The sampling will take under 10 minutes.

3. Returning the Kit: Using the included insulated shipping box and prepaid postage, all you have to do is drop this in a FedEx drop box. If you foresee a problem dropping off your package at a FedEx location, text us with your 3 digit code and let us know.

4. Home Visit: Researchers from the University of Texas will schedule 2 in person home visits (now and in 2 months)

Step by Step Instructions
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(once you have enrolled and received the materials)
You should have received the sampling kit from the University to proceed with the instructions

Preparations

1. Unboxing: The kit you recieved from the University of Texas should include the following
One Pair of gloves
One red vacuum adapter and mini white collector
One amber bottle with plastic cap
Icepacks or two water bottles to be used as icepacks (not for drinking)
One insulated shipping container with return shipping and tape
2. Before continuing, place the two provided ice packs (or water bottles) in the freezer. Continue on with the rest of the procedure any day from Monday to Wednesday.
3. You should have received a new vacuum cleaner. This is yours to keep as our gift to you for participating! Plug it in and make sure it works.

Sampling your Filter

This side UP
Air flow arrow should point DOWN
This side DOWN
Filter Size
4. Remove the filter from your air conditioner and lay it on a clean surface, DUST SIDE UP (wires down). The airflow arrow that can be found on the side of your filter should be pointing down. 
5. Put on the gloves and attach the red vacuum adapter to the hose on the vacuum. Gloves help to make sure the sample does not get contaminated.
6. Insert the white dust filter into the red vacuum hose adapter.
7. Starting in one corner of the filter, vacuum HALF the filter, leaving the other half as intact as possible. To vacuum, slowly drag the hose nozzle across the filter making sure to vacuum all the dust you can. Vacuum for about 2 minutes.​
8. With the red adapter pointing up to keep dust from falling out, turn off the vacuum. Carefully remove the vacuum adapter and white dust mini-filter from the vacuum hose.
9. Remove the white dust filter from the vacuum adapter by pushing it out from the end that connects to the vacuum hose, place it in the provided amber bottle and tightly close the white cap. 
10. Place the amber bottle and red adapter in the provided insulated box. Place the box in your refrigerator until you are going to mail it. (Please do so within 12 hours)
11. Reinstall the filter you just sampled into your air conditioning unit. It is important that you reinstall the same filter. UT researchers will bring you a new filter during our upcoming home visit

Returning the Package

12. Remove the ice packs from the freezer and place them in the box next to the amber bottle and red vacuum adapter. Put the insulated lid on the box and close the cardboard box around it. Put the provided return shipping in the clear envelope on the side of the box and tape shut with provided shipping tape.
13. Drop the box off in a FedEx express drop off box (closest box location has been given to you) between the hours noted.

Scheduled Home Visit
Once the sample is returned to UT, you will soon receive a report of our findings in your house. Researchers will be reaching out to you to schedule the in person visits to your home.