ANSR

Sanuvox extends commercial warranty to 15 years for ballasts and 2 years for UV lamps

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:56:06 +0000

Sanuvox Technologies Inc. a provider of UV air sterilization systems for air and coil applications has extended the warranty of their commercial UV BioWall and UV IL-CoilClean commercial systems from a 5-year to a 15-year ballast warranty and the high-intensity UV lamp warranty has been extended to 2 years.

In 1995, the very first Sanuvox commercial UV air sterilization system was installed, 16 years later that same purification system is still in operation. For the past 16 years, Sanuvox has provided thousands of commercial UV air purifiers and coil cleaners showing exceptional reliability in many diverse environmental conditions around the world.

According to Normand Brais PhD., Founder and VP Engineering of Sanuvox Technologies,”We have always listened to our customers, to provide features and systems that address their needs. UV system reliability is of course one of the most important aspects of a UV installation and Sanuvox is very proud to stand behind our exceptional track-record by offering an industry first 15-year ballast and 2-year UV lamp warranty.” Dr. Brais goes onto saying, “At the heart of a Sanuvox UV system is a lamp and a ballast. If we can provide extended protection to the end-user at no-cost, that is one less thing they do not have to worry about and go on to enjoy the benefits of a well-designed UV system without worrying about the costs associated with a system failure.”

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Desert Springs Hospital Uses Sanuvox ASEPT.2X UV Sterilization System

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:54:59 +0000

Desert Springs Hospital in California is using the ASEPT.2X mobile UV sterilization system to disinfect patient rooms with success.

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ABC News reports about Cedar Rapids Medical Center using Sanuvox ASEPT.2X UV Sterilization System

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:53:00 +0000

Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, IA, is using ASEPT.2X mobile UV sterilization system to disinfect patient rooms with success.

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New Sanuvox Mobile UV Sterilization System for hospitals

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:50:08 +0000

Sanuvox releases the ASEPT.2X mobile UV sterilization system to help reduce nosocomial infections in hospital environments.

The ASEPT.2X mobile UV sterilization system uses a primary and secondary unit to sterilize high-touch surfaces with ultraviolet ‘C’ energy controlling (6 log reduction) drug-resistant microorganisms, such as MRSA and C. diff. in less than 10 minutes in a standard patient hospital room. The two-unit operation dramatically lowers the sterilization time typically associated with UV sterilization, while achieving exceptional deactivation rates by minimizing shadow areas through the use of the two-unit system.

Studies show that even with the best terminal cleaning practices, an operating or patient room can remain the source of many potential harmful drug-resistant microorganisms as manual cleaning effectively cleans less than 50% of surfaces. In the US it is estimated that HAIs (Hospital Acquired Infections) result in 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths costing the healthcare system between 28 to 33 billion dollars annually. Statistics show that one in every 20 patients admitted to a US hospital falls victim to an infection they contracted while there.

UV sterilization (UVC 254nm wavelength) has been used in hospitals for decades. Commercially available mobile UV systems are used to sterilize the patient room in the terminal cleaning process. However, the limitation to UV sterilization is that it is a “line-of-sight” technology. UV sterilization is ineffective in shadowed areas where the light cannot reach. This can include the other side of high-touched areas, such as a remote or call button or the other side of a bed or bed rail. As such, conventional UV systems require multiple positioning within a room to lessen the chances of shadow areas that block the sterilizing ability of the UV light. In doing so, time and resources are spent moving the system around the room and preparing the room for additional treatments.

The ASEPT.2X mobile UV sterilization system has been tested by ATS Labs in Minnesota (USA) to show a 99.9999% reduction in MRSA and C. diff. in less than 5 minutes around high-touched areas close to the patient bed, and under 10 minutes throughout the rest of the room. The ASEPT.2X is also being evaluated in one of the nation’s leading teaching hospitals.

The now readily available ASEPT.2X includes many firsts incorporated into a mobile system. Some features include a total of eight infrared motion detectors (360 degree protection around each of the two units) that will shut the units down should any personnel enter the room during the sterilization process. Wi-Fi communication between both primary and secondary units controlled and monitored by any smart device while logging all sterilization cycles.

According to Normand Brais, Ph.D., Founder and VP Engineering at Sanuvox, “The ASEPT.2X UV system helps eliminate the one limitation in UV sterilization, shadows. By maintaining a closer proximity to high-touched areas and reducing shadow areas by treating both sides of the patient bed and surrounding areas, Sanuvox is able to deliver an elegant solution in reducing HAIs while increasing productivity.” The idea is to make the ASEPT.2X easily accessible to virtually any medical facility looking to implement the system.

Although single UV systems can sell for well over US$100,000, Sauvox believes that with every unit in operation, it can save lives and wanted the systems priced right to do so. As such, a fully equipped two-unit ASEPT.2X system will sell for considerably less, making the unit readily available to most who are looking into the technology.”

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The Myth of HEPA Filtration

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:48:47 +0000

High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters (HEPA) are commonly used to achieve a significant dust and particulate control. Hospitals and companies operating clean room fabrication labs use these types of filters to reduce the particulate contamination to acceptable levels. Properly installed and maintained HEPA filters undoubtedly reduce airborne contaminants. But this fact has spawned the myth that environments serviced by HEPA filters are free from contamination.

Like all filters, HEPA filters have an efficiency curve with a minimum in the range of 0.1- 0.3 μm. The particle removal efficiency for 0.3 μm particulate is 99.99%. However, reports^1,2,3 show that as many as 50% of installed HEPA filters operate well below their theoretical efficiency due to:

incorrect installation resulting in air bypassing the filter bank
damage during the installation or service of the air handler, especially in settings where maintenance staff lack the specific training needed to maintain HEPA filters.
trapped viable organic matter (e.g. fungi, bacteria, mold) that has grown through the filters In many cases a combination of the above factors compromises the efficiency level of HEPA filters.

Another way to look at HEPA filter protection is to determine the particulate allowed to pass through the filter because of its inherent 0.01% inefficiency. Assume that conservatively the HEPA will be challenged with 10,000 particles in the size range of 0.1-0.3 micron per cubic foot of air every minute (cfm) and that this HEPA filter is rated at 1,000 cfm. This HEPA will allow 10,000 particles to pass through every minute or 14,400,000 every 24 hours of operation.

While it is possible to reduce or eliminate damage during filter installation with the implementation of training and good operational procedures, it is more difficult to deal with the problems presented by viable organic contamination. With the exception of high end cleanroom fabrication labs, many facilities using HEPA filters are not staffed with technicians who have the knowledge necessary to maintain the environment that HEPA filtration is designed to provide.

Air handlers equipped with HEPA filtration usually have both pre-filters and secondary filters upstream to protect the HEPA filters. This minimizes the load and improves the life of the more expensive HEPA filters. With this design larger particles entering the air handler are therefore removed before they reach the HEPA filter.

This filtration scenario works well until viable organic matter starts the growth process within the HVAC system. Conditioning coils, particularly the cooling coils, are ideal for culturing microorganisms. The constant temperatures, moisture and an abundant food source equate to laboratory conditions for growing and sustaining a multi-species microbial population⁴. Eventually these organisms will travel downstream and become entrapped by the HEPA filter.

Filters treated with an antibacterial preservative typically show less tendency to develop microbial growth⁵. Under ideal conditions for microbial growth the treatment will, at the best, delay the process.

It is one thing to stop a small inorganic dust particle but a completely different thing to stop a small living organism. The situation becomes even more cumbersome if moisture is finding its way to the filter. This establishes conditions on the filter media that are similarly ideal to the ones on the coil. Again, studies show that when filters are loaded with microbial growth and moisture, it is very likely that the same organisms can be found on the supply side of the filters⁷.

The picture shows a typical final filter located downstream from the cooling coil at a hospital. The organic growth on the upstream side of the filter is clearly visible as white and dark areas (see arrows). Condensation water coming off the coil virtually saturated the filter. Besides creating an ideal environment for organism growth, the water also increased the delta pressure across the filter adding 1″ (W.G.). It is quite clear that this filter has lost much of its protective properties and instead assumed a roll as an incubator of contamination. Unfortunately this situation is not rare and can be found in many air handlers varied environmental settings.

Severe contamination of the cooling coil and drain pans are the root cause of this condition. The contamination causes water and organisms to come off the coil surface and travel down to the final filter. Fouled and clogged drain pans act as a secondary reservoir for microbial growth.

Contaminated air handlers not only yield reduced filtration efficiency, they also may increase indoor air pollution. Studies of office buildings suggest that once filters are colonized with fungi, they produce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are offgassed, adding to indoor air quality problems^6,7, especially for building occupants that are immune compromised or suffer from allergies.

Building owners who install VIGILAIR® Air Handler Protection Systems experience clean coils and drain pans. Coils are returned to their ‘as designed’ efficiency and drain pans work as intended instead of exacerbating the problem. Filters remain dry and free from viable organisms. Microorganisms captured by the dry filter will find it difficult to survive and reproduce.

In summation, the HEPA filter is the highest efficiency filter available for HVAC systems. Like all filters there exists a determinable inefficiency that belies the myth of the HEPA as an ‘absolute’ solution to airborne contamination removal. The presence of microbial matter within HVAC systems raises the bar for contamination control of conditioned environments.

VIGILAIR® is a proven, highly effective system that provides an uncontaminated air handler environment. High efficiency Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) ensures that cooling coils are completely free from organic growth. VIGILAIR® UVGI compatible filters allow UVGI exposure of the filter surfaces which ensures inactivation of any organisms trapped on the filter surface.

References

Michele R. Evans, David K. Henderson, Infection Control in the Healthcare industry in the 21^stCentury, Hospital Engineering & Facilities Management 2005, Issue 2 pp. 58-62
Colin Perllman, Are Hospitals Getting Left Behind?, Cleanroom Technology, October 17, 2005
Andrew Streifel, Control Factors in Hospital Building Maintenance and Operations, Hospital Engineering & Facilities Management 2005, Issue 1 pp. 55- 58
R.B. Simmons, D.L. Price, J.A. Noble, S.A. Crow, D.G. Ahearn, Fungal Colonization of Air Filters from Hospitals, AIHA Journal (58) December 1997
D.L. Price, R.S. Simmons, S.A. Crow, D.G. Ahearn, Mold Colonization during Use of Preservative-Treated and Untreated Air Filters, Including HEPA Filters from Hospitals and Common Locations over an 8-year Period(1996-2003), Journal of Industrial Microbiology Vol. 32: 319-321
M. Möritz, H. Peters, B. Nipko, H. Rüden, Capability of Air Filters to Retain Airborne Bacteria and Molds in Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditionng (HVAC) Systems, Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 203, 401-409 (2001)
D.G. Ahearn, S.A. Crow, R.B. Simmons, D.L. Price, S.K. Mishra, D.I. Pierson, Fungal Colonization of Air Filters and Insulation in a Multi-Story Office Building: Production of Volatile Organics, Current Microbiology, Vol. 35 (1997)

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Infection Prevention: Environmental Cleaning and Practical Infection Control

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:42:39 +0000

Recent events in the US healthcare industry have combined to create a rush by healthcare facilities toward the adoption of technology for total room disinfection. Events include: 1) changes to the Affordable Care Act that reduced CMS and insurer compensation to hospitals due to high rates of Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs); 2) elimination of CMS and insurer reimbursements to hospitals for individual patient healthcare costs if and when a patient develops an HAI; 3) a number of peer-reviewed publications of total room disinfection systems used at terminal discharge demonstrating successful reductions of either bioburden or HAIs or both; 4) presenter advocacy at recent infection prevention professional conferences including American Prevention and Infection Control (APIC) and Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA); 5) industry innovation; and 6) industry promotion.

In the ensuing market competition between hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) fogging and UV total room disinfection systems, UV appears to be the leader in the U.S., likely for reasons of speed, safety and ease of use¹⁹. Well-trained housekeeping staff can completely disinfect 20 to 50 patient rooms per day depending on the speed of the mobile UV system chosen. The faster the disinfection system, the faster the room turnaround, and the greater the improvement in hospital revenue; the less EVS staff time required, the lower the hospital operational costs; and there is no risk to staff or patients of exposure to residual aerosol disinfectant.

Of the two types of energy-based disinfection systems being marketed today, UVC has been a proven technology for disinfecting air, water and instruments for over a century^2,3. UVC is a narrow spectrum technology operating at a frequency of 254 nm, very close to the optimal germicidal frequency (263 nm to 266 nm) for bacterial and viral disinfection.

PX light is a broad-spectrum technology developed in the 1950s primarily for flash photography. PX does however include some germicidal UV in its range of emitted light frequencies.

Efficiency

Narrow spectrum UVC emitters are relatively efficient at generating germicidal UV with a known range of efficiency from 24% to 38%. That means a bulb rated for 100 W input power from one manufacturer may emit 24 W of germicidal UV, while a 100 W bulb from another device manufacturer may produce as much as 38 W of germicidal radiation. Technologies known to impact this range include tubing materials, and temperature management. Further optimization of emission of UV energy onto surfaces can be accomplished with reflectance technology.

By contrast, PX bulbs are relatively inefficient at generating germicidal UV with a published efficiency of just 9%. Much of the input energy is wasted as heat and visible light, rather than being converted to germicidal UV. Consequently, for any given input power, a UVC lamp will emit approximately 4 times more germicidal UV than its PX counterpart.

Given the example of a typical US hospital receptacle that supplies up to 2000 watts of electrical power, the maximum germicidal UV output of a PX device can only be 180 Watts (9 % x 2000 watts = 180 watts), whereas a UVC device can generate 760 Watt of germicidal UV (38% x 2000 watts = 760 watts).

Disinfection efficiency is a direct function of the delivered germicidal UV power and exposure time. Therefore, it becomes quite clear that UVC can disinfect up to 4 times faster, or 4 times more, than a PX device from a single emitter using the same power (760 watts / 180 watts = 4.2X).

Efficacy

UVC constants have been published for all bacteria and viruses allowing easy calculation of time and power required for deactivation with germicidal UV. Disinfection constants vary greatly with the organism. In general, vegetative bacteria are deactivated very quickly, spores require a lot more time.

At a UVC energy dose of 400 mJ/cm², all known epidemiologically important pathogens (EIP), including Clostridium difficile spores, are rendered inert. Germicidal UV creates thymine-thymine dimers and thymine-cytosine dimers of neighboring molecules on strands of DNA and RNA, preventing organism replication.

The higher the emitted energy of the device, the faster the target energy dose is reached, and the faster the disinfection cycle. For example, if the device emitted 400 mJ/cm²/minute at the target distance, only one minute of operation would be required for disinfection. If the device emitted 40 mJ/cm²/minute (more commonly expressed as 0.667 mJ/cm²/s i.e. 0.667 mW/cm²) at the target distance, then 10 minutes would be required to achieve the same disinfection dose.

Life Cycle / Maintenance:

The life of a PX bulb is counted by the number of pulses it can sustain before the electrodes are destroyed. Typical published values for PX life-cycle range from 1 to 10 million pulses. Assuming an average life cycle of 5 million pulses, and a flash rate of 3 times per second, (the value reported by one PX manufacturer), this will only result in an expected life of 463 hours. (5 million / 3 = 1.67 million seconds = 463 hrs.) Given that a typical disinfection cycle lasts 15 minutes according to one PX manufacturer, this means that the PX lamp will need to be replaced after 1,852 cycles. Assuming the PX unit is used 20 times per day, then the PX lamps will need to be replaced every 3 months.

By comparison, the published life expectancy of a typical UVC lamp is between 10,000 and 17,000 hours. For at least one manufacturer, that could mean bulb replacement as little as every 5 years.

Operational & Proximity Safety:

Because of their inherent high temperature flash operating mode, PX lamp surfaces become extremely hot (1000 ^oC) and may become a fire hazard or cause severe injuries if accidentally touched after discharge (similar to a burnt flash bulb from a 1950s flash camera). In addition, the gas pressure that builds up inside the hot lamp becomes pressurized to several atmospheres and can explode violently projecting glass debris. This may be the reason at least one PX manufacturer retracts the PX lamps into a protective canister immediately after discharge.

Viewing Safety:

UVC can be safely and comfortably viewed from behind glass. UVC does not penetrate glass or plastics. This allows high visibility of the disinfection process in glass-walled areas like ICU.

Conversely, PX devices discharge an intensely bright fast-paced strobe of visible light. Staff need to be trained to protect patients, visitors and staff from accidentally viewing the device through glass while in operation. This may require installation of additional curtains or blinds, as well as training of EVS staff and clinical staff working in commonly glassed areas such as ICU. Even casual contact walking beside partially covered glass can subject passersby to discomfort from the intense white light flash.

Mercury:

At least one PX manufacturer promotes the fact their product does not contain mercury. True. Conversely, UVC lamps do contain a tiny amount of mercury, the same as every fluorescent lamp used throughout hospitals, commercial and industrial buildings and residences all over the world. The amount of gaseous mercury that could be released from a broken UVC lamp in a hospital is much too low to create a health risk. Many manufacturers also encapsulate their lamps in a protective Teflon sleeve that both eliminates any possible release of mercury vapor and serves to protect occupants from exposure to fragments of broken glass in the event of breakage.

Discussion

Optimization:

All light energy, whether visible or invisible, UV or non-UV, UVC or PX, follows an inverse square law. If the distance from the point source to the target doubles, the energy decreases to 25%. Conversely, if the distance to target is halved, the energy density quadruples. Thus whether using 9% efficient PX or 38% efficient UVC, using two emitters instead of one would cut the distance to target for all surfaces in half and would reduce the room disinfection time by 75%.

A further effectiveness optimization strategy would be to locate the two emitters equidistant on either side of the patient bed with an overlap pattern of UV emission and set to achieve a Log6 reduction on the most distant outer wall surface. This would double the germicidal UV in the vicinity of the patient bed between the emitters, the most critical area in the room, and provide up to a Log12 reduction. Adding additional emitters would shorten room disinfection time even further but the law of diminishing returns would suggest two to three emitters is optimum.

Conclusion

Both UVC and PX have been shown to dramatically reduce bioburden and HAIs. However, UVC appears to be 4 times more energy efficient than PX, and 4 times faster or more effective than PX. UVC appears to provide 10 times longer lamp life and dramatically lower life cycle costs than PX. UVC does not expose staff to the risk of contact with excessively high temperature, or exploded lamps that PX may. UVC can be safely and comfortably viewed while in operation from behind glass or plastic whereas PX presents a risk of temporary blinding or discomfort for passersby.

All germicidal UV systems can substantially shorten room disinfection times and optimize room turnaround using two or three emitters.

UVC appears to offer significant technological, operational, safety and cost advantages over PX. Perhaps that is why UVC is the predominant air, water and surface disinfection technology used in all other industries. There are millions of UVC installations worldwide and no apparent movement afoot in any industry to switch from UVC to PX. The market share for UVC in other industries is likely in the order of 99.99%. Perhaps we should pause to consider that context, as well as the safety, operation, efficiency, efficacy, life-cycle and maintenance costs, when we consider our options for germicidal UV surface disinfection for healthcare.

References

Koutchma,T., Orlovska,M.,Zhu,Y., UV light for fruits and fruit products, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph Food Research Center,. p.69, table 2.2.
Schaefer,R., Grapperhaus, M. New Surface Discharge Pulsed UV light source C-1,Third International Congress on Utraviolet Technologies, Whistler, 2005.
Schaefer,R., Grapperhaus, M., Schaefer, I., Linden,K. Pulsed UV lamp Performance and Comparison with UV Mercury Lamps Environ. Eng. Sci. Vol. 6 pp. 303-310 , 2007.
Nerandzic, M., Thota,P., et ali, Evaluation of a Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet Disinfection System for Reduction of Healthcare-Associated Pathogens in Hospital Rooms. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, February 2015, Vol.36, no.2.
Reed, N.G. The History of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for Air Disinfection Public Health Rep. 2010 Jan-Feb; 125(1): 15–27.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_germicidal_irradiation
Block, S.S. Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 5^th Edition 2001
Hurst, C.J. Modelling Disease transmission and its prevention by disinfection Cambridge University Press 1996
Bolton, J.R., Cotton, C.A. The Ultraviolet Disinfection Handbook American Water Works Association 2008
Huang, S.S., Datta, R., Platt, R. 2006. Risk of acquiring antibiotic-resistant bacteria from prior room occupants. Archives of Internal Medicine. 166(18), 1945-1951.
Drees, M., Snydman, D.R., Schmid, C.H., Barefoot, L., Hansjosten, K., Vue, P.M., Cronin, M., Nasraway, S.A., Golan, Y. 2008. Prior environmental contamination increases the risk of acquisition of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 46(5), 678-685.
Hamel, M., Zoutman, D., O’Callaghan, C. 2010. Exposure to hospital roommates as a risk factor for health care-associated infection. American Journal of Infection Control. 38(3), 173-181.
Otter, J.A., Yezli, S., Salkeld, J.A., French G.L. 2013. Evidence that contaminated surfaces contribute to the transmission of hospital pathogens and an overview of strategies to address contaminated surfaces in hospital settings. American Journal of Infection Control. 41(5 Suppl), S6-S11.
Huslage, K., Rutala, W.A., Gergen, M.F., Sickbert-Bennett, E.E., Weber, D.J. 2013. Microbial assessment of high-, medium-, and low-touch hospital room surfaces. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 34(2), 211-212.
Stiefel, U., Cadnum, J.L., Eckstein, B.C. Guerrero, D.M., Tima, M.A., Donskey, C.J. 2011. Contamination of hands with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after contact with environmental surfaces and after contact with the skin of colonized patients. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 32(2), 185-187.
Morgan, D.J., Rogawaski, E., Thom, K.A., Johnson, J.K., Perencevich, E.N., Shardell, M., Leekha, S., Harris, A.D. 2012. Transfer of multidrug-resistant bacteria to healthcare workers’ gloves and gowns after patient contact increases with environmental contamination. Critical Care Medicine. 40(4), 1045-1051.
Hayden, M.K., Blom, D.W., Lyle, E.A., Moore, C.G., Weinstein, R.A. 2008. Risk of hand or glove contamination after contact with patients colonized with vancomycin-resistant enterococcus or the colonized patients’ environment. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 29(2), 149-154.
Carling, P.C., Parry, M.F., Bruno-Murtha, L.A., Dick, B. 2010. Improving environmental hygiene in 27 intensive care units to decrease multidrug-resistant bacterial transmission. Critical Care Medicine. 38(4), 1054-1059.
Nerandzic, M., Cadnum, J.L., Pultz, M.J., Donskey, C.J. Evaluation of an automated ultraviolet radiation device for decontamination of Clostridium difficile and other healthcare-associated pathogens in hospital rooms. BMC Infect Dis. 2010 ; 10: 197
Anderson D.J., Gergen M.F., Smathers, E., Sexton D.J., Chen L.F., Weber, D.J., Rutala, W.A. and CDC Prevention Epicenters Program. Decontamination of Targeted Pathogens from Patient Rooms Using an Automated Ultraviolet-CEmitting Device. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2013 May ; 34(5): 466–471.
Levin, J., Riley, L.S., Parrish, C., English, D., Ahn, S. The effect of portable pulsed xenon ultraviolet light after terminal cleaning on hospital-associated Clostridium difficile infection in a community hospital. American Journal of Infection Control August 2013Volume 41, Issue 8, Pages 746–748
Simmons, S., Morgan, M., Hopkins, T., Helsabeck, K., Stachowiak, J., Stibich, M. Impact of a multi-hospital intervention utilising screening, hand hygiene education and pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) on the rate of hospital associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Journal of Infection Prevention September 2013 vol. 14 no. 5 172-174
CADTH 2015. Rapid response report: Summary of abstracts. Environmentally active agents for infection prevention in health care facilities: Clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and guidelines.
Andersen, D., Chen L. F., Weber D.J., Moehring R.W., Lewis S.S., Triplett P., Blocker M., Becherer P., Schwab J.C., Knelson L.P., Lokhnygina Y. Rutala W., Sexton D.J., CDC Epicenters Program, Duke Infection Control Outreach Network, Duke University Medical Center, University of North Carolina Health Care, High Point Regional Health System, Alamance Regional Health Center, Rex Healthcare, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Duke University. 2015 The Benefits of Enhanced Terminal Room (BETR) Disinfection Study: A Cluster Randomized, Multicenter Crossover Study with 2×2 Factorial Design to Evaluate the Impact of Enhanced Terminal Room Disinfection on Acquisition and Infection Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO). SHEA Featured Abstract Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America, IDWeek October 9, 2015, San Diego, California.

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Purifying Air and Destroying Airborne Bio-Contaminants

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:29:08 +0000

It is not uncommon for outside contaminants, including odors and allergens, to find their way migrating into a building. Restaurant odors, manufacturing off-gassing, diesel fumes from idling trucks, and even jet fuel from helipads can be pulled into the make-up air and distributed throughout the HVAC system and building.

Sanuvox Technologies line of in-duct UV air purification systems are the ideal solution for these often troublesome issues. Sanuvox offers exceptionally cost-effective systems that can address IAQ issues that filters and absorption media cannot. The proprietary system eradicates biological contaminants such as mold, bacteria, viruses, germs and allergens; reduces chemicals, VOCs and biological odors. Installed PARALLEL to the air-stream results in greater « dwell time » between the air and the UV lamps.

THE EQUIPMENT

The duct-mounted units are installed in the return or supply side of the HVAC system parallel to the airflow, and are supplied with multiple germicidal UV-C lamps, each with a section of oxidizing UV-V that can be adjusted (covered or removed) depending on the concentration of odors.

Typical installation on the HVAC return side:

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

The UV lamps disinfect the recirculating air in two ways:
1. The oxidizing UV-V section of the lamp reduces the chemical components in the air through photo-oxidation. The selected units are designed to be “dosed” on site according to the need.
2. The germicidal UV-C section destroys airborne biological contaminants (viruses, bacteria, mold).

PROCESS ON BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS

1- ACTIVATION PHASE: H₂O + O* –> OH* +OH*
The ultraviolet photon energy (170-220nm) is emitted from a high-intensity source to decompose (break-down) oxygen molecules into activated monoatomic oxygen. The rate of production or effectiveness of this process depends on the wavelength and intensity of its source.

2- REACTION PHASE: OH*+ P –> POH
The activated oxygen atoms (O*) are then mixed in the airstream; the process will react with any compound containing carbon-hydrogen or sulfur, reducing them by successive oxidation to odorless and harmless by-products. If airborne contaminants are outnumbered by the activated oxygen atoms, then there will be formation of residual ozone (O₃), which will occur following the oxidation of normal oxygen molecules (0₂).

3- NEUTRALISATION PHASE: (also germicidal) O₃+UV(C) –> O₂+O*: O+O –> O₂

CHEMICAL DECOMPOSITION

Formaldehyde CH₂O + OH* –> CO₂ + H₂O

Ammonia NH₃ + OH* –> N₂ + H₂O

Styrene C₈H₈ + OH* –> CO₂ + H₂O

Mercaptans H₂S + OH* –> SO₂+ H₂O

WHERE TO INSTALL

Many buildings and facilities can be equipped with these in-duct units, like buildings near airports and helipads, buildings with adjoining warehouse (diesel), printing shops, restaurants, mechanical workshops, and crematoriums.

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Disinfecting Locker Rooms and Bathroom Odors

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:28:13 +0000

Lockers room odors are the result of perspiration which is excreted by the sweat glands in our skin. Sweat itself is not the source of the odor, but rather the off-gassing of the bacteria which feeds on sweat. The source of this unpleasant off-gassing can be found on occupants, clothes, towels and equipment as well as other soft materials.

The Sanuvair® S300 air purification system with HEPA filter is the ideal solution to reduce and elimitate unpleasant odors, such as in locker room and bathrooms. The proprietary Sanuvox process sterilizes and oxidizes bacteria, viruses, chemicals and odors, dramatically improving the air quality.

THE EQUIPMENT
As stand-alone units, the P900 is equipped with a blower of 80 cfm, the Sanuvair®S300 with a blower of 300 cfm, and the Sanuvair® S1000 with a blower of 1000 cfm. Filters (except on the P900) capture particulates (pet hair, etc.) while the dual zone UV-C/UV-V “adjustable” lamp disinfects the air.

The Sanuvair® S300 unit can be used as a stand-alone with optional intake and exhaust louvers or ducted using an 8-inch flexible duct with optional collars.

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

Untreated air is drawn into the inlet of the unit, purified with the germicidal / oxidation UV lamp, filtered and then exhausted. Recirculating the air in the room continuously reduces bacteria and odors, improving overall air quality.

WALL INSTALLATION, Sanuvair® S300:

SIZING THE EQUIPMENT
Approximately 6 to 8 air changes per hour are required.

A P900 unit (80 cfm) with a dual zone UV-C/UV-V lamp will be required for a 1,200 cu.ft. room (15’ X 10’ X 8’).

A Sanuvair® S300 unit (300 cfm) with a dual zone UV-C/UV-V lamp will be required for a 4,500 cu.ft. room (25’ X 20’ X 10’). Collars can be ordered to duct the unit using an 8-inch diameter duct, or an intake and exhaust louver grill(s), if the unit will be used as a stand-alone system.

A Sanuvair® S1000 unit (1000 cfm) with a dual zone UV-C/UV-V lamp will be required for a 15,000 cu.ft. room (50’ X 20’ X 15’). The system uses 2 x 8 inch inlets and 2 x 8 inch exhaust outlets (collars).

The unit should be positioned near the center of the room to be as effective as possible. Excluding the P900 unit, the two other units can be installed in the plenum above the ceiling or in an adjoining room and ducted with 8-inch round duct.

THE CHARACTERISTICS
All Sanuvox air purification systems are equipped with a dual zone “J” UV-C/UV-V lamp. All dual zone lamps have a maximum oxidizing UV-V section in order to minimize residual ozone. In situations where odors are more concentrated, it is possible to outfit the units (except in the P900 unit) with special lamps incorporating a larger section of oxidation, with the installer making the final odor adjustments on site.

WHERE TO INSTALL
Many buildings and facilities can be equipped with one of the stand-alone units, like team sport locker rooms, dressing rooms, fitness centers, laundry rooms and storage, or basements.

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Sterilizing Air in Facilities

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:27:02 +0000

New buildings are built tighter to save energy, while older buildings are implementing new measures to reduce heating and cooling loss. Reduced fresh air also prevents dilution of contaminated air resulting in an increase of contaminants as they are now trapped inside and are continually recirculated throughout the space.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) applications in hospitals, schools, commercial buildings and offices vary. From Hospital Acquired Infection (HAls), sick building syndrome, absenteeism and work place productivity, Indoor Air Quality influences these facilities in many differents ways.

When the objective is to eliminate up to 99.9999% of airborne bio-contaminants, including viruses and bacteria that circulate through the ventilation system without increasing the pressure drop resulting from high efficiency filtration, Sanuvox offers the right solution with its high efficiency patented air purification system.

THE EQUIPMENT

The BioWall air purification unit is installed in the ventilation duct parallel to the airflow, allowing sufficient contact time that is required for airborne sterilization. The UV-C intensity of each lamp can be measured in “realtime” with an optional UV-C sensor, ensuring the required inactivation intensity will be delivered to the contaminant.

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

To create the sterilization chamber in the existing duct (up to 5 feet deep per unit), the walls are covered with an aluminum reflective material. The proprietary sterilization sizing calculations take into account: air velocity, dimensions of the duct, the UV lethal dose needed to sterilize the microorganism for the desired inactivation rate. The sizing calculations will determine the number and length of the BioWall unit(s) required. The optional UV-C sensor will guarantee that the UV-C emitted from the lamp will exceed the amount of UV-C that is required at all times.

UVC GERMICIDAL PRINCIPLE

The 254nm UV-C germicidal wavelength has been used for decades for sterilization and its effect on microorganisms is well documented. UV germicidal process inactivates microorganisms by damaging their DNA structure, making it incapable of reproducing. The germicidal efficiency can deliver virtually a 100% disinfection rate. The system can achieve exceptionally high disinfection rates as a result of the BioWall unit being mounted parallel to the airflow and the desired intensity is sized for each particular application.

WHERE TO INSTALL

Many buildings and facilities can be equipped with the BioWall unit, like hospitals, private clinics, veterinary clinics, as well as fertility centers. It can also be installed in schools, universities, offices towers and commercial buildings.

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Coil Cleaning in Museums and Archives

ansr — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:26:15 +0000

Air quality can severely impact and deteriorate irreplaceable paintings, documents, drawings, books and journals within a vault, storage area, library and exposition hall. Preserving these fine treasures from the ravages of mold, spores and bacteria are a priority for libraries, archives, museums and collectors. UV systems are designed to destroy airborne mold spores and their associated odors, as well as bacteria that can very well destroy treasures from the past.

Sanuvox UV IL-CoilClean systems are designed to destroy mold and other bio-contaminants on the evaporator coil, which results in spores as well as off-gassing being « blown-off » the evaporator coil and distributed through the facility.

Sanuvox in-duct UV BioWall systems effectively destroy thousands of airborne bio-contaminants, such as mold, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, VOCs and odors.

THE EQUIPMENT

The Sanuvox IL-Coil Clean system for HVAC coils utilizes a patented technology to focus the maximum UV energy on any surface. The patented anodized aluminum parabolic reflector serves two purposes:
1. Redirects the maximum amount of UV energy produced by the lamp onto the coil surface, requiring less or shorter lamps and fixtures.
2. Protects the UV lamp from fouling.

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

Prolonged exposure to UV radiation will keep the air conditioning coil clean and free of bio-contaminants, including viruses, fungi, bacteria and bio-film that may grow on the coil. Maintaining a coil free of microbial growth will maximize the efficiency of coil heat transfer and reduce the hours of operation of the compressors, resulting in lower energy costs.

UV-C GERMICIDAL PRINCIPLE

The UV-C wavelength is well documented for its germicidal properties. The effects of ultraviolet radiation on biological contaminants have also been included in the latest ASHRAE Handbooks. Generally, this relationship is similar to the absorption curve of nucleic acid (DNA) the basis of all living organisms. The germicidal destruction rate for any specified bio-contaminant can be greater than 99.9% as the maximum UV intensity produced by the UV lamp is directed onto the coil and each application is sized according to its requirements.

WHERE TO INSTALL

Many buildings and facilities can be installed with either the IL-CoilClean or the BioWall, like libraroes, museums, archives, record rooms, evidence rooms, private collections, or galleries.

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