Case Studies

01) “Reducing Airborne Microbes in the Surgical Operating Theater & Other Clinical Settings: A Study Utilizing the AiroCide^® System” – Journal of Clinical Engineering, April/June 2004

A study was performed examining the airborne microbial killing efficiency of the AiroCide^® Photocatalytic Air Purifying System. The study was conducted in coordination with the medical microbiology & immunology and biomedical engineering departments of a major state university and examined baseline bacterial and fungal cultures, commonly known as pathogens, collected at specific clinical test areas. Samples of unique clinical interest such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were studied in depth. Results of the test showed bacteria reductions of 69% in an Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Day Surgery procedure room, 25% in a Surgical Operating Room (OR) and 95% in a Surgical Instrument Sterile Preparation Room. MRSA was present in the OR and reduced by 100% after use of the AiroCide system.

02) “Advanced Air Sanitization in a Medical Office Setting A Clinical Study of Indoor Air Quality Data from the Use of a Photocatalytic Air Purification System” - Michael R. Papciak, M.D.

A clinical test of the AiroCide air purifying system was conducted in a pediatrician's office complex. The primary objective of the test was to determine the effect on airborne bacteria of turning off an AiroCide system that had been operating 24/7 for 6 months inside a pediatric facility. The secondary objective was to measure the difference in performance of the AiroCide system in a pediatric "sick" waiting room compared to a pediatric "well" waiting room. In 24 hours after turning off the AiroCide system the airborne bacteria in the facility increased by an average of 181%. One week later the average level of airborne bacteria was 211% higher than when the AiroCide system was operating.

03) Research Summary - Outpatient Surgery Center; Georgia, USA

A study measured the efficacy of the AiroCide air purifying system in removing airborne bacterial colony forming units (CFU's) in an operating room in an outpatient cosmetic surgery facility. Two tests were run in the 1,750 f3 operating room. In test #1 there was a 93% reduction in airborne bacteria in the operating room after 24 hours of operation. In test #2 there was a 47% reduction in airborne bacteria in the operating room after one hour of operation.

04) Research Summary – Dental Office; Georgia, USA

Tests were performed in multiple locations inside the offices of a 26,800 ft3 dental practice to measure the efficacy of two (2) AiroCide air purifying systems (model ACS-100) in removing airborne bacterial and mold/fungal colony forming units (CFU’s). The tests resulted in an average 45.3% reduction in airborne bacteria in 24 hrs. and an average 80% reduction in airborne mold/fungi in the same 24 hours period.

05) Research Summary – Oral Surgery/Periodontics Office; Georgia, USA

Air sampling tests were performed in an active oral surgery and periodontal medicine facility to measure the efficacy of the AiroCide air purifying system in removing airborne bacterial colony forming units (CFU’s). The tests resulted in airborne mold/fungi reduction of 66% in the operating room (OR#3) and 100% in the adjacent corridor in 48 hours. Airborne bacteria were reduced by 82% in the corridor in the same 48 hours.

06) “A Study to Investigate the Effects of the AiroCide ACS-100 Air Cleansing System on the Air Quality in the Cage Washing Area of a Laboratory Animal Facility” – Surrey Diagnostics; Surrey, UK

The allergen levels in the cage washing area of a laboratory animal facility were seen to decrease by over 90% when the system was turned on and allowed to clean the air for 7 days. 5 days after the AiroCide system had been turned off it can be seen that allergen levels were rising again. There was a 46% reduction in airborne microbial organisms when the AiroCide system was operational. The levels were seen to quickly rise again once the system was turned off.

07) Research Summary – Two Consumer Households; Georgia, USA

A clinical study was conducted to determine the initial and sustained reduction of airborne mold and bacteria in two residences of similar size, design and structure. The test period consisted of three (3) individual days of air sampling that spanned a 3-month time frame. Airborne mold was reduced in the homes by an average of 60% in 24 hours and sustained an average of 87% over a 6 month period. Bacteria in the air inside the homes was reduced an average of 57% in 24 hours and maintained a level of 49% lower than baseline over a 6 month period.

08) Research Summary – Carpet Warehouse/Allergens; Madrid, Spain

A clinical test of the AiroCide air purifying system was performed inside a carpet warehouse situated underground over a thirty (30) consecutive day period. The objective of this test was to determine the AiroCide ability and efficiency in reducing environmental contamination. The three AiroCide^® ACS-100 units installed in the room reduced the amount of airborne bacteria and fungi by 82% and 46% respectively over a period of thirty (30) days. These results are significant considering the high traffic and the high initial level of contamination and the better air quality feeling expressed by the usual staff working inside the warehouse immediately after the treatment.

09) Research Summary – Childcare Facility; Minnesota, USA

A clinical test of the AiroCide air purifying system was conducted at a two-story, 18,000 ft2 childcare facility to determine the ability of the AiroCide technology to reduce the amount of airborne mold and bacteria inside the facility. The test period consisted of five (5) individual days of air sampling and spanned a 6-week time frame. The system reduced the amount of airborne mold and bacteria by 60% and 28%, respectively over a 6-week test period. These results are significant considering that mold and bacteria levels tested in the air outside the facility increased over the same time period by 3% and more than 600%, respectively.

10) Research Summary – Corrections Facility and 911 Call Center; Georgia, USA

A clinical test of the AiroCide air purifying system was conducted at a Georgia county corrections facility complex. The objective of the test was to determine the ability of the technology to reduce the amount of airborne bacteria inside the facility. The test period consisted of two (2) consecutive days of air sampling. The system that was installed in the facility reduced the amount of airborne bacteria by 53% in 16 hours.

11) Research Summary - Private High School Athletic Complex; Georgia, USA

A clinical test was conducted at the athletic complex of a large private high school to determine the ability of the AiroCide air purifying technology to reduce airborne mold and bacteria inside the school's 8,000-ft3 varsity football locker room. The test period consisted of six (6) individual days of air sampling that spanned a 3-week time frame. The system dramatically reduced the amount of airborne bacteria and mold by an average of 60% and 70% respectively over a 3-week test period.

01) Research Summary – Tomato Repacking Facility; Florida, USA

A clinical study of AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in a 28,500 ft3 tomato ripening room/cooler at a major tomato repacking facility in Riverview, FL to measure the reduction in airborne mold and airborne bacteria. The system reduced the amount of airborne mold in the cooler by an average of 90.5% after a 72-hour period. Airborne bacteria were found to be present at sufficiently low levels to be considered insignificant.

02) Research Summary – Organic Produce Wholesaler; Netherlands

A clinical study of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in a refrigerated cooler inside a warehouse of a large organic produce wholesaler located in Holland, to determine if the technology would reduce the amount of airborne mold present. The three (3) ACS-50 systems utilized for the study reduced the amount of airborne fungi inside the cooler by an average of 96.8%in 72 hours.

03) “A Study on the Elimination Power of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system of Ethylene, Mold and Bad Odours Inside Cold Rooms” – Cartagena Polytechnic University, Spain

A study was conducted in Balsapintada, Murcia (Spain) utilizing the device, in two different cold rooms filled with peppers and melons respectively. The AiroCide PPT has proven to efficiently remove ethylene (by 58.1%), CFUs and VOCs concentrations in cold storage indoor air as well as that it is applicable to different stored produce.

04) Research Summary – Plant Propagation Laboratory; Bogota, Columbia

A study was conducted by Esmeralda Farms researchers in their 96 m3 (approx. 3,400 ft3) In Vitro Propagation laboratory to measure the effect of using the AiroCide PPT air purifying system to kill airborne fungi and bacteria. The system reduced the amount of airborne fungi by 100% and reduced the amount of airborne bacteria by an average of 98% over the 8-week test period.

05) Research Summary – Wholesale Citrus Warehouse; Valencia, Spain

A test was performed to determine if the AiroCide PPT air purifying technology could reduce the presence of airborne mold in a 42,000 ft3 refrigerated warehouse containing oranges. Air samples taken seven (7) days after operating the system showed an 80% decrease in all airborne mold spores from air samples taken before the system was turned on. There was no evidence of blue or green mold spores in the second round of air samples, which represents a 100% reduction of these harmful molds.

06) Research Summary – Tomato Cooler, Regional Produce Wholesaler; Alberta, Canada

A clinical study of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in the 19,500 ft3 tomato cooler of a regional produce wholesale company in Alberta, Canada. The study was conducted during three days of normal business activity. The results show airborne mold reduction inside the cooler of 54% in 24 hours and 62% in 48 hours. Airborne bacteria in the same cooler decreased 75% in 24 hours and 100% in 48 hours.

07) Research Summary – National Organic Produce Wholesaler; British Columbia, Canada

A clinical study of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in 15,840 ft tomato storage cooler of an organic produce distribution center warehouse. The system reduced the amount of airborne mold and bacteria inside the cooler by 26% and 6%, respectively in 24 hours, while the warehouse area showed a 172% increase in airborne mold and no change in airborne bacteria in the same time frame.

08) Research Summary – International Floral Importer Pre-cooler; Florida, USA

A clinical study of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in the 148,500 ft3 pre-cooler of Esmeralda Farms, an international floral importer in Miami, FL. The results show a significant reduction in airborne pathogens in 24 hours. There was an average airborne mold reduction of 95.45% after a 72-hour period and an average airborne bacteria reduction of 73.18% in the same time frame.

09) Research Summary – Floral Distribution Center; Florida, USA

A clinical study of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in the 94,600 ft3 floral coolers of Equiflor Corportation, a leading floral growing, distributing and marketing company in Miami, FL. The data supports the hypothesis that airborne mold levels would be lowered after 48 hours of continuous operation of the system. The results show an average airborne mold reduction inside the coolers of 78.5% in 48 hours.

10) Research Summary – Corrections Facility and 911 Call Center; Georgia, USA

A clinical study of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in the floral cooler and storage facility of Arteflor, a major cut flower wholesaler in Madrid, Spain. The results after 11 days of continuous operation show an average airborne reduction of 99.99% inside the storage area and 100% inside the cooler.

11) Research Summary – Cut Flower Wholesaler (2); Madrid, Spain

A clinical study of AiroCide PPT was conducted in the floral cooler and storage facility of Coflores, a major cut flower wholesaler in Madrid, Spain. The results after six (6) days of continuous operation show an average airborne reduction of 96.01% inside the cooler.

12) Research Summary – Regional Wholesale Florist; Georgia, USA

A study was conducted in a 17,000 ft3 cooler inside a large wholesale floral warehouse to determine if the AiroCide PPT air purifying technology could reduce the amount of airborne fungus. The two systems that were installed in the facility reduced the amount of airborne mold and bacteria by 92% and 58%, respectively.

13) Research Summary – Independent Organic Supermarket; Georgia, USA

A clinical study of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in the 1,300 ft3 refrigerated walk-in cooler of Return to Eden, an independent organic grocery store in Atlanta, GA. The results show an average airborne mold reduction inside the coolers of 89% in 48 hours, and an airborne bacteria reduction of 67% in the same time frame.

14) Research Summary - Floral Cooler and a Produce Cooler - National Retail Grocery Chain; Georgia, USA

A clinical test of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system technology was conducted in a retail grocery store’s 1000 ft3 walk-in floral cooler and 4800 ft3 walk-in produce cooler. Air samples taken after 24-hrs of operation of the system showed a 47% decrease in airborne mold and fungal spores in the produce cooler and a 20% decrease in the floral cooler. Significantly, airborne mold and fungal spore outside the building increased by 18% in the same 24 hours.

15) Research Summary – Commercial Winery; California, USA

A clinical study of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in the 65,000 ft3 wine barrel storage cave of Hartwell Vineyards, a boutique winery in the Stag's Leap district of Napa, CA. The results show an average airborne mold reduction inside the cave of 72.3% in 23 days.

16) Research Summary – Commercial Winery (2); California, USA

A clinical study of the AiroCide PPT air purifying system was conducted in the 130,000 ft3 wine barrel storage room of Chateau St. Jean. Founded in 1973 and now owned by Foster's Group, Chateau St. Jean is a wine making estate located at the foot of Sugarloaf Ridge in the Sonoma Valley near Kenwood, California. The data supports the hypothesis that airborne mold levels would be lowered after 21 days of continuous operation of the system. The results show an average airborne mold reduction inside the storage room of 57% in 23 days.