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Revolutionary Air Sterilisation and Decontamination System Eliminates Contaminants

25 Aug 2008
Greg Smith
Analyst / Analytical Chemist

Airborne pathogens, chemicals, fumes and particulates are all potential causes of contamination in any laboratory or cleanroom environment and regardless of how carefully maintained existing traditional filtration systems are, they may not be completely effective. To meet this need Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) has introduced a revolutionary ‘air sterilisation and decontamination’ system which provides a more effective method of destroying harmful particulates, resulting in better air control and protection for sensitive laboratory applications.

At the heart of the Air Manager system is a patented sterilisation technique which doesn’t just rely on filtering-out airborne pathogens and particulates, it destroys them. This technology is based upon the phenomenon of close-coupled field technology (CCFT), which utilises an electrically generated plasma field to sterilise the passing atmosphere.

Air Manager works by drawing air into the unit via a fan system which passes through and around the CCFT. Any atmospherically carried particulates, be they viable pathogens, pyrogenic material, chemical fumes, odours or viruses, or other offending materials are ‘zapped’ by the plasma field as a result of its own electrical charge. This ‘zapping’ breaks down the chemical bonds of any materials and reduces the offending particulates, in most cases down to their elemental constituents. Additionally, heavier elemental constituents, which can be harmful, are generated by the breakdown of CO2 in the atmosphere and are then removed by the combination of the CCFT and the charged exhaust filter bed. Because CCFT technology ensures total destruction of airborne contamination, these systems are not reliant upon filtration alone and this reduces the chances of failure compared to HEPA or other conventional methods. Furthermore, they not only perform a key role in reducing the chances of contamination, they also contribute toward significant cost savings. For example, savings on expensive plate stocks, due to the reduction of test failure rates and the removal of T4 Phage contaminants helps to protect glycerol stocks of bacterial cultures and so avoids expensive losses. Also, removal of odours and chemical fumes means enhanced protection and comfort for staff and contributes to a safer, more pleasant working environment.

Air Manager units are available in a range of convenient options, these include wall, ceiling and table mountable, so most laboratory and cleanroom environments and budgets can be accommodated to ensure maximum adaptability and space efficiency.

Applications for the Air Manager system are numerous and include, laboratories experiencing any level of failure in plate testing or tissue culture, facilities with an autoclave for odour reduction, universities where teaching inexperienced handlers of pathogenic material can cause increased risk of infection, pathology and clinical departments in hospitals where contamination risks are highlighted for MRSA and E Coli and Pharma / Biotech facilities where cost of failures due to contamination far outweigh cost of prevention.

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