SANYO Europe Ltd (SANYO), a subsidiary of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., a 'leading provider of Environment- and Energy-related products', announces today that its innovative Air Purifying System equipped with 'Virus Washer technology' (Model: VW-VF10BG) has been proven to suppress 99.999994% of an airborne bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis) from treated air following extensive tests by the UK Health Protection Agency at Porton Down.
People are becoming increasingly concerned with air quality over recent years and hospital 'superbugs' such as 'MRSA' and 'Clostridium difficile' are continuing to cause the health service significant problems. The need for effective methods to combat airborne bacteria, viruses and allergens is ever-increasing and SANYO's Virus Washer technology was developed to do just that. The Virus Washer technology operates by creating electrolyzed water, which is done by combining tap water with electricity. In line with SANYO's 'Think GAIA' brand vision of environmental responsibility, the Virus Washer technology does not require any additional chemicals.
The Virus Washer uses an electrolyzed water disinfecting element to inactivate airborne ineffective agents and allergens. The unit works by electrolyzed water running over the air purification element in the Virus Washer. Indoor air is then forced to circulate through the element, inactivating airborne bacteria and viruses which pass through it.
The Air Purifying System with Virus Washer technology underwent detailed tests at the Biosafety Unit of the UK Health Protection Agency, to test its ability to inactivate airborne contamination. The results not only confirm that the Air Purifying System inactivates over 99.9% of the airborne bacteria it was tested against from treated air but also reveal that bacteria can be reduced to below detectable levels within 5 minutes of starting the system within an enclosed room, measuring 21.3m². The HPA's Biosafety Unit concluded that "if the SANYO Commercial Virus Washer Air Purifier VW-VF10BG is operated according to the manufacturer's instructions it is capable of reducing microbial contamination in the air."
In addition to the testing by the Health Protection Agency, the effectiveness of SANYO's Virus Washer technology against viruses, bacteria, dust mite allergens, pollen and odours has been established by extensive independent testing by leading organisations including the Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences (tested for effectiveness in suppressing influenza*) and Tottori University in Japan (tested for effectiveness in suppressing Avian Influenza—H5 type*) and the Gunma Prefecture Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences (tested for effectiveness in suppressing Feline Caliciviridae—a virus comparable to the Norovirus* surrogate).
"The quality of the air we breathe is important for our well-being and in places where people gather, such as schools, hospitals and other public facilities, airborne germs are more prevalent. In such circumstances, it's important that we take the right steps to prevent such airborne contaminants from spreading" said Masafumi Yoda, General Manager of Europe Business Management Division, SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. "Infection control is a hot topic issue for the commercial and health sectors and until now there have not been many effective methods to suppress airborne viruses, bacteria and allergens. In order to tackle this problem, SANYO combined its advanced knowledge of air purification and water technology to develop the Virus Washer technology, which suppresses and removes these contaminants."
In order to meet the demands of larger facilities SANYO developed the VW-VF10BG Air Purifying System for commercial use which is designed for enclosed spaces up to 100m² and is suitable for most large public spaces. The Virus Washer technology utilises tap water, which is freely accessible, and SANYO's proprietary electrolysed water technology to render infectious airborne viruses harmless.
SANYO's Air Purifying System is easy to install and uses single phase 220-240V power. The use of a six litre water tank eliminates the need for water piping and the system can be operated immediately after installation. Operation is simple and involves only the use of an on/off button and the fan speed control.