Sharp Corporation, using technology*2 developed by Dr. Melvin First, Professor Emeritus of the Harvard School of Public Health and a leading US authority on public health*3, has verified in a test chamber (volume of 40 m3) the effectiveness of Plasmacluster Ion Technology, a proprietary air purification system that eliminates harmful airborne substances by releasing positive and negative ions into the air, in eliminating a serratia bacteria*4 (airborne pathogenic bacterium).
Serratia bacteria is a well-known nosocomial pathogen that is present in hospitals and in environments with high humidity such as the sinks and bathrooms of ordinary homes. When people who are in a weakened physical state inhale airborne water droplets which contain this bacteria, it can lead to respiratory infections and diseases such as pneumonia.
Now, tests performed in a chamber having a volume of 40 m3 in a laboratory leveled Bio-Safety Level 3*5 to handle airborne microorganisms, virus experiments, and the like, confirm that when serratia bacteria were dispersed in the chamber and the change in concentration measured when Plasmacluster Ions were released into the space, 99% of the bacteria were eliminated in 38 minutes.
Sharp, in cooperation with academic institutions in all parts of the world, has thus far demonstrated that Plasmacluster Ions are effective in eliminating harmful airborne substances such as floating bacteria, fungi, viruses and allergens. Serratia becomes the 27th such species. Sharp is pushing ahead the technological developments further to contribute to create healthy environment.
In addition, based on the verification results obtained at this time, Sharp is actively working to expand its presence in the global air-conditioning market in North America, Europe, and ASEAN countries under the concept of "Fill every space with Plasmacluster Ions."
Plasmacluster and Plasmacluster Ion are registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation.
*2 Extracts and analyzes an airborne pathogenic bacterium and virus in a 40-m3-volume chamber. It also helps to avoid bioterrorism.
*3 The science of studying the relationship between health and the natural, social and environmental factors to which humans are exposed. The results are applied to maintaining general health and improving disease prevention, and early detection and treatment.
*4 Disease-causing bacilli that float in the air and invade the human body through respiration.
*5 Bio-Safety Level 3: A classification for facilities capable of safely handling pathogens such as bacilli and viruses. Standards are set in each country based on the Laboratory Biosafety Manual established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Level 3 designates a facility capable of handling pathogens (tuberculosis [TB] bacterium, SARS virus, avian influenza virus, etc.) that cause serious or potentially lethal diseases in humans or animals, but for which effective methods of treatment and prevention have been established.
Overview of Tests
1. Description of experiment:
Disperse serratia bacteria into the air of a large Bio-Safety Level 3*5 chamber having a volume of 40 m3 and measure the concentration of airborne microbes as Plasmacluster Ions are released into the space and also when no ions are present. Tests were repeated three times to confirm the reproducibility of the data, and the effectiveness of the Plasmacluster Ions in eliminating the bacteria determined.
2. Results:
We were able to verify that releasing Plasmacluster Ions into the space effectively eliminated 99% of airborne serratia bacteria in 38 minutes-Sharp news
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