Here's a copy of the complete article.The market is absolutely...

Here's a copy of the complete article.

The market is absolutely huge for this product!!!!

Research and Development New from Britain (52) Events (0)

New From Britain
MAKING AIRCRAFT AIR 100 PER CENT SAFE

Trade Partners UK New Products Press Release LPS 29, 14 February 2002

By Leslie Kirk, LPS Special Correspondent

Economy Class Syndrome on passenger aircraft is normally associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - blood clots caused during long periods of inactivity on long-haul flights.

But passengers sometimes also have to cope with poor air quality. Now, a revolutionary invention by air filtration specialists Microgenix in south-east England, looks set to eliminate the problem of airborne viruses and bacteria on airlines worldwide.

Since the 1970s airlines have saved on fuel costs by mixing fresh air with up to 50 per cent recycled air, which is passed through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to remove dangerous bacteria.

But if the HEPA filters become clogged or dirty their effectiveness can be reduced, leaving passengers exposed to harmful pathogens. In fact, there have been a number of cases of people contracting tuberculosis after long-haul flights, almost certainly as a result of breathing partly recirculated air.

In the United States research has shown that air-conditioning can transmit aerosolized droplets of bacteria to passengers onboard aircraft.

A researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health has investigated 20 aircraft and believed the TB bacillus survives in the air long enough to be transmitted through the ventilation system.

An infected passenger on a seven-hour flight in a jumbo jet can cough up 13 tuberculosis-infected particles a minute. This could lead to up to three fellow passengers being infected by the end of the flight.

As a solution to these problems, the new Microgenix air purification system can be installed easily within the aircraft's existing air handling system to eliminate 100 per cent of airborne germs within the pressurized cabin.

The Microgenix system uses a liquid that forms a spiked structure as it dries, which can only be seen under an electron microscope. When harmful micro-organizms come into contact with the treated surface, the cell membrane is pierced and they die.

The Microgenix cartridge consists of a coated filter which first disturbs the incoming airflow to maximize exposure to the treated surfaces. The air then passes over a cone creating a vortex, deflecting the air onto the treated internal surfaces.

Finally an Ultra Violet light chamber ensures that any remaining bacteria or viruses are completely neutralized by altering their DNA structure before the air continues on its normal route.

Welcoming the launch of the new Microgenix system, Farroll Kahn from the Aviation Health Institute said: "This new development could dramatically improve air quality in passenger aircraft. Unlike other filters the Microgenix system is a killing ground for bugs, and not a breeding ground like traditional filters can be".

In much the same way, the Microgenix system can be used on any type of transport where recycled air is being used such as passenger trains or cruise liners.

Not only does Microgenix's new air purification system eliminate all known airborne viruses and bacteria, but it could also help the airlines achieve energy cost savings of up to 30 per cent by substantially reducing fresh air intake requirements.

The new system also has national defense implications, and has been scientifically proven at the UK government facility at Porton Down, where in tests it successfully eliminated 100 per cent of simulated Anthrax spores.

Interest from the major airlines has already been high. The system can also be used in offices and public buildings to address poor air quality and problems associated with "sick building syndrome".

Furthermore, it could also be used to eliminate airborne pathogens from air handling systems within hospitals, where an estimated 10,000 people per year are affected by Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI).

The device can also be adapted for use in schools - an outbreak of Tuberculosis recently broke out in a Leicestershire school in the English Midlands.

The system, which costs about 2,500 pounds sterling (approx. 3,750 USD), comes in the form of a cassette making it easy to fit or remove and needs to be replaced once a year.

British Company:

Langley Public Relations & Marketing Services, 10 Whytecliffe Road South, Purley, Surrey, United Kingdom, CR8 2AU. Contact: Rachel MacSweeney or Julia Williams
Telephone: +44 20 8763 1314.
Fax: +44 20 8763 1647.

Microgenix Limited, Water House, Thames Road, Crayford, Kent, United Kingdom, DA14 TF.
Contact: Philip Hall.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.microgenix.net