What Causes The Spread Of Coronavirus?

The survival time of coronaviruses such as SARS in water droplets in the air and on surfaces has been studied and it has been established that some changes to how Commercial HVAC systems need to be made to minimise the risk of the disease spreading especially in Ducted systems. Low temperatures and humidity levels allow them to survive for long periods which means any indoor environment is ideal. Electronic Oxidisation Air Purification is ideal to combat this.

At high temperatures, they can be rendered inactive which suggests they are most potent during the colder months of the year just like cold and flu viruses. This is the reason there have been repeated MERS epidemics in the Middle East exclusively during the cooler winter months.

Experts suggest that the rate of transmission of coronaviruses from human to human is highly influenced by the indoor air conditions.

The main method of transmission of Novel Coronavirus is by person-to-person contact. The disease can spread when droplets from the breath or cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled a short distance (generally up to 3 feet) through the air.

The virus also can spread when a person touches a surface or object contaminated with the infectious droplets and then touches his or her mouth, nose or eye(s).

In Commercial Businesses where the Supply Air is heated between 20 to 24 degrees, it serves as the ideal environmental conditions for SARS type Coronaviruses to survive on surfaces and in the air for a longer duration. This further results into increased transmission via contact with contaminated surfaces.

Installing Electronic Air Purification/Disinfection Technology To Combat COVID-19

Watch this Video to see how the  Air Purification system works.

The Oxidisation Plasma Air Purifier is installed into Air Handling Units or directly into the ductwork. It creates an ionised advanced oxidation plasma (AOP) which sanitises the HVAC unit/ductwork. This is enriched onto the airstream and distributed throughout the entire property breaking down and destroying organic pollutants on contact. Thus purifying all the air and surfaces in the property at the same time.

The ionisation aspect induces particles to coagulate or stick together making them bigger and easier for any filtration processes to catch. Compared to traditional passive technologies which only purify the air inside a chamber which can be re-contaminated as soon as it leaves the unit, this integrated technology is far more strategically effective.

Full Technical Spec, Testing and approvals can be seen here on the Manufacturers websiteadvanced air purification/disinfection technology

Advanced air purification/disinfection technology overview:

The advanced air purification/disinfection technology acts in a proactive way to combat transmission of all virus types including coronaviruses through the air and on surfaces in any indoor environment (Office, Hospital, Care home, Gym, Cruise ship etc).

The patented Advanced Oxidation Plasma (AOP) inside the products is distributed throughout the entire indoor space. When the ionized hydro-peroxide molecules contained in the AOP come into contact with any organic pollutant such as Novel Coronavirus they break it down and destroy it and then revert to harmless hydrogen, oxygen and water vapour afterwards.

Electronic Oxidisation Air Purification is effective against odours, bacteria, viruses, mould, gases (VOCs), pollen, dust, and other organic airborne particles. Further it passes a charge off to inorganics and larger particles causing them to clump together and drop out of the air.

The result is cleaner, healthier air throughout the entire occupied space and no infection transmission risk within the indoor space.

Stopping the Indoor spread of COVID-19 with air disinfection technology

Many people are taking various different steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by wearing masks, washing hands and cleaning/disinfecting surfaces.

Some are taking steps to change ventilation strategies from Recirculated to full fresh air, and some people are changing their air filters to higher efficiency HEPA type and/or using air purifiers. However, none of these actions will stop it from being transmitted from person to person when we breathe, talk, cough, sneeze or when we touch an already infected surface.

Our air purifier and surface cleaning and disinfection products offer a unique solution. This patented and tried/trusted technology continuously and safely disinfects all of the air and surfaces in an indoor space and instantly destroys viruses the moment they are exposed before they can be transferred to others.

This adds a new and unique dimension to your office cleaning regime. Our air purifier products also eliminate odours and purify the air of bacteria, mould spores, VOCs and particulates including pollens, dust, traffic soot and smoke.

The technology is used Worldwide in offices, schools, hospitals, dental/GP offices, care homes, gyms, public buildings, airliners, cruise ships, public transport, food processing plants, warehouses etc.

In 2003 the technology was selected by the Chinese government during the SARS outbreak for infection control in public buildings and on public transport and deliveries have been made to help combat COVID-19.

Independent corroboration of Photohydroionisation core technology

A recent analysis of 22 studies reveals that human coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus or endemic human coronaviruses (HCoV) can persist on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to 9 days, but can be efficiently deactivated by surface disinfection procedures with 62-71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite within 1 minute.

These Oxidisation Plasma Air Purifiers produce a Photohydroionisation or PHI plasma comprised of hydro-peroxides, ionised hydroxide ions and super oxide ions in safe concentrations not exceeding 0.02 ppm – similar to the concentrations found in the atmosphere (0.01-0.03 ppm).

The basis of the product (which differs extensively from others) which produce oxidisers that are dangerous or rely on dangerous UV-C light. The US, EU and UK STEL (8 hour) limits for hydro-peroxides are between 1 and 2 ppm so these concentrations are a tiny fraction of these.

The plasma is distributed throughout the entire indoor space and breaks down and destroys organics including human coronaviruses on contact through the process of cell lysing – the same process that all surface disinfectants like Dettol rely on.

Test Results

The technology has been successfully tested on pathogens and contaminants in the air and on surfaces as the lab test results on the Manufacturers website show.

They can a bit heavy going if you aren’t too technical. You can read them here

The sneeze test proved its uniquely capability to stop airborne infection transmission by killing 99% of all germs emitted from the test subject and travelling at over 100mph before they had travelled 3 feet.

This is how these products can prevent the spread of COVID-19. No passive air purification technology or cleaning regime can do this.

PHI technology is completely safe for humans in any indoor setting and has no detrimental effect on the human immune system.

A variety of different size units are available depending upon the size of AHU/Air Distribution system, and we can assist in selection and installation if required.

These Air Purification systems are part of our initiatives to assist existing and future customers with some advice and tips, including our recent one on Reinstatement of Water systems

Interested? Get in touch 0207 481 0222  or email sales@polyteck.co.uk