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Link: KVIA.com – The El Paso News Leader
IQAir North America, the industry leader in high-efficiency air cleaning products, announced today the introduction of their new whole-house air cleaning system. The system, named the PerfectHome, far exceeds the level of air cleaning effectiveness provided by any other whole-house air cleaning system. It is designed to be the ultimate high end air cleaning system for people with health conscious lifestyles. The PerfectHome contains the world's most advanced two-stage filtration process. It captures micro-particles with its MERV 16 rated pre-filter. Then it eliminates nano-particles with its high-performance HyperHEPA filter. The PerfectHome is based on IQAir's patented technology used in hospitals to filter particles as small as Avian flu, SARS virus, and MRSA. The PerfectHome filters 100% of the air passing through a residential HVAC system, with a 99.97% efficiency for particles as small as 0.3 microns and 99.5% efficiency for particles down to 0.003 microns. In addition to providing the highest level of air filtration efficiency, the PerfectHome also offers the lowest air resistance in the whole-house air cleaning market. Due to the PerfectHome's energy-efficient digital fan, the system provides up to 2,000 CFM of ultra-clean air with zero pressure drop. "The performance of the PerfectHome is unprecedented," says Frank Hammes, President of IQAir. "Previously, this level of air filtration was only possible in multi-million dollar clean rooms. At an installed price starting at $7,500, this system addresses the absolute high end in the residential air cleaning market. It is for people who want and demand the very best in their homes."
Link: Reduction
There is renewed interest in the hospital environment as a potentially important factor for cross-infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other nosocomial pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtration unit (IQAir Cleanroom H13, Incen AG, Goldach, Switzerland) at reducing MRSA environmental surface contamination within a clinical setting. The MRSA contamination rate on horizontal surfaces was assessed with agar settle plates in ward side-rooms of three patients who were heavy MRSA dispersers. Contamination rates were measured at different air filtration rates (60-235m(3)/h) and compared with no air filtration using Poisson regression. Without air filtration, between 80% and 100% of settle plates were positive for MRSA, with the mean number of MRSA colony-forming units (cfu)/10-h exposure/plate ranging from 4.1 to 27.7. Air filtration at a rate of 140m(3)/h (one patient) and 235m(3)/h (two patients), resulted in a highly significant decrease in contamination rates compared with no air filtration (adjusted rate ratios 0.037, 0.099 and 0.248, respectively; P<0.001 for each). A strong association was demonstrated between the rate of air filtration and the mean number of MRSA cfu/10-h exposure/plate (P for trend<0.001). In conclusion, this portable HEPA-filtration unit can significantly reduce MRSA environmental contamination within patient isolation rooms, and this may prove to be a useful addition to existing MRSA infection control measures.
Link: A Breath of Fresh Air in the Fight for Clean Air.
A NEW air management system which kills an unprecedented 99.7% of airborne bacteria and viruses, including MRSA, Anthrax and Bird Flu, has been developed in the UK by Quest International.Housed within a small unit similar to a standard air-conditioning unit, the AirManager kills contaminates in a single cycle, purifying air which could carry potentially fatal bacteria and viruses. The result is an environment free from bacteria and unpleasant odours wherever an AirManager system is installed.
David Hallam, Director of Research and Development at Quest said: “AirManager has so many applications that people in every field of life will benefit. Whether an environment suffers from unpleasant odours or more serious airborne particulates such as MRSA, AirManager cleanses the air and makes a room pleasant and, more importantly, safe to be in.”
The system has been developed over several years by Mr Hallam who was prompted to develop the system when an ailing relative, Uncle Tom, recovering from a colostomy left some unpleasant odours in the nursing home where he was a resident.
“The solution to Tom’s problem and that of his fellow residents was fairly simple,” said Mr Hallam, “but since then we have been developing the AirManager technology for a wide range of markets including food technology, laboratories, hospitals and healthcare, aviation and the military – in fact anywhere where you need a clean air environment.”
AirManager uses Closed Coupled Field Technology (CCFT) which can kill bacteria and other contaminates quickly whilst at the same time remaining harmless to people in the vicinity.
Link: Superbug-killer in hurry for trials.
A BACTERIA-killing cleaner could be the answer to the deadly superbug MRSA which is plaguing Britain's hospitals. Conquering the bug which kills at least 5,000 patients a year has been declared a top priority by the NHS. But getting the process into clinical trials for testing is a frustratingly slow business, says the company involved, Steritrox, based in Stockport. The firm is harnessing the power of ozone to change fresh air into a bacteria killer. Ozone has been known for years as an anti-bacterial, but the problem is that it is also dangerous to humans. Now Steritrox, has developed a method of using it to deep-clean, which leaves rooms safe for humans after just a short time.
Link: Bromsgrove Standard.
A HOSPITAL patient from Bromsgrove who spent years as a building inspector has slammed Redditch's Alexandra for the poor ventilation system, saying he thinks it could be a breeding ground for bugs. Bert Batty, 96, looked after the upkeep and maintenance of14 hospitals in the 1960s and following deaths from hospital bugs was one of the technicians asked to look into cross infections. He told The Standard that when he was on ward ten of the Alex for a minor operation he noticed the atmosphere felt heavy and unclean and felt there was not sufficient ventilation. "I asked the ward sister where the air extractor unit was and was told that there wasn't one, but I could open my bedside window. "I enquired further because when I arrived all of the windows were closed and the mechanism in the skylight was also shut." When Mr Batty returned home, he called the hospital and set up a meeting with representatives from there. After being told at that meeting that air change control was operated from a centralised system, Mr Batty said he feared dirty air could be recirculated around the hospital.
Link: Full Room Sterilization.
The Penta is a hybrid unit of the one used in the study published in The Lancet Medical Journal, McGill University scientists found that shining proprietary Ultraviolet Purifiers on the air conditioning coil reduces over all sickness by 20%, reduces respiratory symptoms by 40% and has resulted in a 99% reduction of microbial and endotoxin concentrations on irradiated surfaces within the ventilation system. The PENTA is placed in a room and will disinfect 360� covering walls, floors and ceilings without the use of chemicals and leaving no residual toxins. The PENTA has safety features of 2 timers: one to set for the duration dependant on the duration of the sterilization and the other to let you leave the room before sterilization starts. The benefits to Health Boards, Doctors offices, Dialysis rooms, Food Processors and Prisons is that if an area is infected or requires disinfection the PENTA can be wheeled in, turned on, and when the job is complete the area has been sterilized. Older labour intensive methods of using cleaners could leave area where bacteria can breed, alternatively using more hazardous ozone / gas methods may have other health and safety implications, i.e. leakage, etc.
STERIS, a worldwide leader in decontamination and infection prevention, will host a special seminar at the Summit to look at the work it has been conducting with ambulance services. Trials conducted with multiple ambulance trusts demonstrate a high level of environmental contamination within the patient and paramedic areas of emergency vehicles. These trails additionally demonstrated that current and traditional methods for cleaning emergency vehicle interiors have little effect in reducing contamination levels. Following the use of STERIS’s proprietary Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP�) fumigation technology, trial data showed that ambulances could be fully decontaminated within two hours. Further trials of the VHP technology have now taken place with other ambulance service trusts across the United Kingdom. Reporting on parallel research using STERIS’s technology, a speaker from a leading UK hospital will discuss how STERIS’s VHP technology assisted the hospital in decontaminating a ward following a period of persistent MRSA contamination. The Department of Health has approved the use of VHP following a special Rapid Review Panel assessment gave the technology the green light to fight infection in hospitals.
Link: News.
Nick Adams, the chief executive of Bioquell, the producer of a technology that it claims eradicates superbugs such as MRSA, appealed yesterday for the NHS to take a more active approach towards the problem. Bioquell has developed a "room bio-decontamination service" (RBDS), used in Singapore to tackle Sars and undergoing trials in a US hospital. Mr Adams said by comparison, the response from British health authorities has been muted. "Unlike America, none of the NHS hospitals have good financial data on how much MRSA superbugs are costing, leaving them with no financial imperative to purchase preventative equipment", he said. He attributes the apparent lack of UK interest in RBDS to NHS hospitals' lack of accountability for secondary infections acquired by patients. In the US health insurance does not cover these infections, and hospitals are liable for the cost of treatment.
Link: Powerair
With greater understanding of the behavior of airborne-transmitted bacteria and viruses, new devices and processes are necessary to combat infection. Infectious agents such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and SARS were once thought to be strictly surface contaminants; however, new evidence suggests that both of these may have an important airborne component of their transmission. Recent research indicates that some pathogens can attach to the surface of minute dust particles and be transmitted using the dust particle as a vehicle. Chemical contaminants may also be transmitted in a similar fashion. Novapure Systems’ new “Powerair” product line is designed to treat airborne bacteria and viruses as well as those pathogens resident on fine dust particles. The new Powerair air purifiers use Novapure's proven germicidal ultraviolet light (UVGI) and cold catalyst technology to control microbial contaminants, such as molds, bacteria and viruses, and airborne chemical contaminants. “We have developed the Powerair air purifier as a response to health care facilities and apartment dwellers who have told us they want the benefits of the Novabreeze UV air purification system in a portable unit. The new Powerair is a unique UV air purifier offering – far superior to many of the off the shelf air filters and purifiers available in the past to control indoor air quality”, states John Pink, President of Novapure.
Link: PR Network
Bioquell cut its losses sharply over the past 12 months despite a slower than expected take-up of its anti-superbug technology in the UK. The company said it was it was disappointed by the response of NHS hospitals to its hydrogen peroxide based technology, especially given the increasing concern about the rising number of MRSA and other super bug infections in the UK. "Take-up by NHS hospitals has been slower than we could have reasonably anticipated, and we are having to invest further to secure adoption of the technology," said the firm. Losses in 2004 dropped to �300,000 compared with �2.1m, aided by sales rising from �12.6m to �15.5m. Turnover was boosted by a strong showing from its bio-decontamination equipment in the US with demand forecast to remain strong. A US hospital also has Bioquell's room decontamination service on trial. No UK hospital has tried the service even though it has been offered with a commitment to train staff and deliver equipment.
Link: Research and Markets
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c13755) has announced the addition of Biocides Used as Agents in Control of Sick Building Syndrome to their offering.This report provides in depth information on the market for biocides used as agents in the control of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). It includes interviews with over 360 manufacturers of biocide treated products. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) results from an environment where air quality is reduced due to the growth of microbes such as bacteria and fungi (mold). SBS is a growing problem in buildings that are well insulated and have less air exchange, resulting in the potential for increased bacteria and fungi growth. The problem is often exacerbated by central heating and air conditioning systems, which may increase the spreading and re-circulating of microbes (such as MRSA).
Link: PRESS RELEASE:
(PRWEB) February 7, 2005 -- This report provides in depth information on the market for biocides used as agents in the control of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). It includes interviews with over 360 manufacturers of biocide treated products. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) results from an environment where air quality is reduced due to the growth of microbes such as bacteria and fungi (mold). SBS is a growing problem in buildings that are well insulated and have less air exchange, resulting in the potential for increased bacteria and fungi growth. The problem is often exacerbated by central heating and air conditioning systems, which may increase the spreading and re-circulating of microbes. Biocides used as agents in controlling SBS, are finding an increasing usage in coatings, construction products, plastics and textiles where antiallergy / antimold and health claims are made. These claims are based upon the ability of Biocides to control the number of microbes that live on the surface of treated articles. The total market for specialty Biocides was over $ 200 million at manufacture level in 2004. Biocide usage as SBS agents are broadly used over 3 main areas namely Coatings & construction products, Plastics & Textiles. The future growth for Biocides used as SBS agents is predicted to be at least 10 % per year. Most interviewee's believe that there is an opportunity to sell products that will improve the environment by reducing mould, odours and dangerous bacteria such as MRSA type bacteria.
Clean Air Healthcare
Clean Air Healthcare Ltd is a UK based manufacturer of a non-invasive medical device for the reduction of inhalent allergens for use by asthma sufferers in the home which has also been proved effective in other medical, scientific, and industrial applications.
This is being promoted as a tool in the fight against MRSA
Nightingale joins fight to eradicate superbug
A BASINGSTOKE company has developed an air filtration machine to kill the MRSA hospital superbug that claims thousands of lives each year. But despite the breakthrough in technology, Energy Technique is finding sales in the UK tough going when faced with a National Health Service that is strapped for cash. Only this month Leigh Stimpson, managing director of Energy Technique, who lives in Basingstoke, addressed a health commission in Ireland, which is looking into the superbug crisis.
The Irish meeting brought Mr Stimpson into contact with NHS chiefs and members of the public to get across the message that the Nightingale filtration unit has been shown to be 99.8 per cent effective by the Health Protection Agency at Porton Down in Wiltshire.
this is kent
An Innovative Westerham company is forging ahead in its bid to combat hospital 'superbug' MRSA with a revolutionary air purification system. Microgenix Technologies Ltd is making serious inroads into medical markets with equipment it claims can eradicate virtually all dangerous pathogens from the air we breathe. And following trials by its own Infection Control Department, the latest hospital to install the air purification system is the University Hospital of Lewsisham in south London, which placed an order for five machines.
Ample
Energy Technique PLC, the company behind the Nightingale air filtration unit that kills the MRSA hospital superbug, will address a health commission looking into the superbug crisis. The company will report that Nightingale has been shown to be 99.8 pct effective by the Health Protection Agency at Porton Down, Wiltshire.
A short introduction from Dave Roberts
This 12 minute introduction will help you grasp the key facts and the key issues surrounding drug resistant staph aureus (mersa, mursa)
