Air Quality, both indoor and outdoor is the primary factor for acute respiratory infections. Globally, more than 1.5 million people die annually from respiratory infections which are attributable to the environment.
Air pollution is the introduction into the atmosphere of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause discomfort, disease, or death to humans, damage other living organisms such as food crops, or damage the natural environment or built environment. The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth. Air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth’s ecosystems. According to Environmental Protection Agency indoor air pollution can be 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor levels. A recent report by World Health Organization (WHO) asserts the rule of 1000 which states that a pollutant released indoors is 1000 times more likely to reach people’s lung than a pollutant released outdoors. Nearly 28% of all deaths due to Indoor Air Pollution in developing countries occur in India only.
Important facts about Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
• People spend 75-90% of their time indoors
• 50% of all major office buildings have contaminated heating, ventilation and Air-conditioning. If not properly maintained, they turn a hotbed for growth of moulds and bacteria
• Children inhale more particles for their size than adolescents or adults
• Polluted Air causes 94% of all respiratory problems
• More than 300 million people have been diagnosed with asthma, about 1/3 are children under 18
• About 40,000 dust mites, a common allergen can live in one ounce of dust
• An estimated 10-15% of the entire population may be allergic to cat or dog dander
• A person sheds up to 700,000 skin flakes per day
Shikha Singhal Jain
The quality of indoor air inside offices, schools, and other workplaces is important not only for workers’ comfort but also for their health. Poor IAQ has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, commonly known as ‘Sick Building Syndrome’. IAQ has rapidly become a buzz word for the HVAC Industry. Most people associate indoor air quality with air filtration, which is designed to remove airborne particles. The problem is that standard air filters have little or no effect on microbial (viruses, bacteria & mould) and gases (VOC’s & odour) which are the primary source of health-related air contaminants.
There are numerous solutions available for the same; a snapshot of effectiveness of each of these technologies on Indoor Air Pollutants is given in the chart below:
As it can be easily ascertained from the chart, when considering only Microbial and Gases, no other solution is as effective as the Photohydroionization (PHI) technology. In independent laboratory tests, the PHI Technology has shown inactivation rates of over 90% in a matter of hours for the most common and deadly bacteria, viruses and moulds.
Photohydroionization (PHI) is an advanced oxidation technology patented by RGF® utilizing broad spectrum HE/UV light targeted on a quad metallic target that produces nature friendly oxidizers: Hydro-Peroxides, Hydroxides, and Superoxide Ions that reduce microbes and gases in the conditioned space. These are friendly oxidizers as they return to oxygen and hydrogen after oxidizing/ destroying the pathogens.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), till date has only been discussed in relation to Operation theatres, Intensive Care units, occupied buildings and so on. Did you know 97% of the of toilet seats harbour micrococacceae, which can cause skin reactions; 39% are contaminated with streptococcaceae – the leading cause of epidemic sore throat – and bronchial pneumonia; 22% harbor pseudomonadeceae, which can lead to urinary tract infections and blood poisoning; 81% can infect visitors with coryneform, which can cause diphtheria and hepatitis; and serious viral infections can be transmitted by a drop of urine on a toilet that has been present for up to 45 minutes.
Hydroperoxides is an oxidizing agent having properties of Virucidal, Germicidal, Antiseptic, and Disinfecting & Deodorizing. PHI technology is used in washrooms with heavy traffic to remove odours completely (changing the molecular structure of odours) along with eliminating microbial (killing it by a process of cell lysing). Its advanced oxidizers- called hydro peroxides, spread to various places killing the infection (bacteria, viruses, fungus, mould ) in the air as well as on surfaces (infection in air and on seats, handles, taps, basin etc). Life threatening communicable infections like SARS & H1N1 (swine flu) is picked up by people from common areas and surfaces. PHI technology is a tested technology that kills the HINI virus on surfaces as well and prevents the spread of the same. Chinese government in the year 2003 had used this technology at 150 locations at subway stations and found it to be very effective and it is made mandatory to install Pure Air Janitor System at subways, airports and government offices to prevent the spread of any epidemic.
Reflective Electro Magnetic Energy (REME) Cell patented by RGF® creates an Advanced Oxidation Process i.e., charging the Hydro-Peroxides commonly known as Ionized Hydro-Peroxides for continuous removal of Particulates (Dust, Dander & Pollen) equal to .3 micron with the existing standard media filters. The standard filter efficiency increases by 73% thereby enhancing the life of fine filters. The REME also destroys the microbial and gases in the same manner as the PHI.
It is normal reaction to question the long term safety of any product that is effective and uses new or ‘breakthrough’ technology. The breakthrough in the RGF Advanced Oxidation technologies is a group of oxidants known as Hydro-Peroxides. Hydro-Peroxides
have been a common part of our environment for over 3.5 billion years. Hydro-Peroxides are created whenever three components are present: Oxygen molecules, water vapour and energy. Photohydroionization technology recreates the same environment indoors. Advanced Oxidation products have been successfully used worldwide without a safety problem.
The PHI and REME cells are safe for both human beings and animals as well for the environment. The PHI process has been approved by the USDA-FDA-FSIS for food processing. The process produces advanced oxidation Plasma levels of 0.02 ppm which is well below the levels detectable levels in outside atmosphere.
PHI and REME are known to reduce or eliminate elements like:
Many air purifiers only purify the air that passes through the device. These results in a large percentage of the room left untreated and unprotected. PHI™ Cell not only treats the air that passes through the device, but it also sends the friendly-oxidizers into the entire room for complete coverage. The technology is also safe, reliable and cost effective.
Advanced Oxidation Process is based on nature’s natural air purifying process. The laboratory tests show inactivation rate of most virus at 99+%. While traditional air purifiers often require frequent media change and regular maintenance this is a zero maintenance product.
PureAir PHI™ system is small, compact, lightweight, easy to install and requires no modification to existing HVAC systems. It also does not require regular cleaning or maintenance.
PHI/ REME Applications
The PHI and REME Technology can widely be used in the following applications
• Airports
• Medical Facilities, Doctor Offices
• Veterinary Hospitals
• Pharma & Bio tech Companies
• Hotels/ Resorts
• Bars/ Restaurants
• Residences/ Luxury villas
• Fruit & Vegetable packing & storage
• Food processing plant
• Refrigerated trucks/ vehicles
• Storage facilities
• Office buildings
• Military tents
• Offshore rigs – living quarters
• Cruise lines/ ships
• Barns
Shikha Singhal Jain
Director
Zeco Environmental Solutions Pvt Ltd