faqs…
Q: Why is it important to purify air?
Q: What is the most effective method to remove microbial, viruses or bacteria from the air?
Q: What is the best method to remove odors?
Q: Are all molds health risks?
Q: What do you mean by “friendly oxidizers”?
Q: On which side of the coil should the HVAC Cell be located?
Q: Which BIO OX system is right for a restaurant under construction?
Q: Why should a restaurant use a system with their grease trap?
Q: What is unique about your PHI cells, and why is PHI better than UV light alone?
Q: Have the HVAC cells been tested to destroy viruses?
Q: What size area is treated by a single HVAC cell?
Q: How often does the UV element on the HVAC cell need replacing?
Q: What product will treat my pool or fountain?
Q: What is the definition of “Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)?”
Q: How does UV light and the advanced oxidation process kill bacteria and viruses?
Q: If my heating and air conditioning unit has an air filter on it do I need anything more?
Q: What are some of the causes of sick building?
Q: What are some of the symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality or sick building syndrome (SBS)?
Q: Why is it important to purify air?
A: Indoor air pollution has been described by the EPA and Congress as America’s #1 environmental health problem. The EPA has also said
it is “prudent” for Americans to consider an air purification system for their home. Air pollutants can cause allergies, sick building syndrome, bacterial infections, and spread viruses, plus:
- People spend 75-90% of their time indoors;
- Exposure to airborne contamination is considerable;
- 50% of all major office buildings have contaminated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC). If not properly maintained, they are a hotbed for growth of molds and bacteria;
- 40% of all major office buildings can expect occupants to suffer from
symptoms; - All buildings are at least slightly polluted with chemical aerosols;
- The World Health Organization Committee’s (WHO) report 1984 suggested that up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be the subject of excessive complaints related to indoor air quality (IAQ).
Q: What is the most effective method to remove microbial, viruses or bacteria from the air?
A: UV light and ozone combined to create a catalytic oxidation is by far the most efficient.
Q: What is the best method to remove odors?
A: Ozone Catalytic Oxidation and carbon.
Q: Are all molds health risks?
A: While some people are not affected by mold or their spores, other people can have a strong reaction to the mold and its airborne spores.
Q: What do you mean by “friendly oxidizers”?
A: These are oxidizers that are based on oxygen and hydrogen and revert back to harmless carbon dioxide and water after they oxidize. No chemicals are involved.
Q: On which side of the coil should the HVAC Cell be located?
A: Although the cell performs equally well on either the supply or return side, we recommend the supply side due to the small amounts of advanced oxidation components (O3, hydro-peroxides and super oxides) that are released from the cell. Although the levels leaving the cell are very low, we do not want to compromise the HVAC system warranty. By being downstream from the HVAC system, the cell will not present a warranty issue.
Q: Which BIO OX system is right for a restaurant under construction?
A: For new construction, we offer the BIO OX 300 and 1000 models. For existing restaurants with grease traps we offer the Bio OX MOD.
Q: Why should a restaurant use a system with their grease trap?
A: Most restaurants generate 2-3 pounds of grease every day. This is becoming a major problem as the increased levels of grease in our water supply is creating a virtual growing field for bacteria. While the water treatment plants like some grease as it feeds good bacteria, too much grease can cause serious problems in the pipes between the restaurant and the treatment plant.
Q: What is unique about your PHI cells, and why is PHI better than UV light alone?
A: Our technology utilizes a dual wavelength UV element that is targeted onto a quad-metallic hydrated catalyst surface. The completed target source with UV element creates a photohydroionization, or PHI, process.
When installed in the HVAC system, the PHI cell releases advanced oxidation products into the air, which are in turn pulled through the HVAC ductwork and distributed into the areas served by the vents. This unit not only treats the HVAC duct with germicidal light like conventional UV-only systems, but also has the added effect of treating the air and ductwork downstream from the unit. The PHI cell is very effective at reducing odors, something UV light alone will not do. Emitted ozone levels are very low, typically .02 ppm or less.
Q: Have the HVAC cells been tested to destroy viruses?
A: The manufacturer has tested on mold and bacteria. Due to the difficult nature of viral testing, the HVAC cell has not been tested on viruses except in China, where the government chose RGF’s HVAC cells for SARS control following extensive testing. However, the technologies employed by the cell, UV and ozone, have been documented to kill viruses in labs worldwide.
Q: What size area is treated by a single HVAC cell?
A: Rooms of 1000 – 10,000 sq. ft. with up to 10-foot ceilings can be effectively treated if there is a forced-air circulation system. Stand alone units such as the APS, APS Mini or Eco-Air treat up to 5000 sq. ft. or up to 8000 cubic feet.
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Q: How often does the UV element on the HVAC cell need replacing?
A: Every 25,000 hours of operation, or about once every three years.
Q: What product will treat my pool or fountain?
A: The advanced oxidation water system will handle 10 GPM (gallons per minute). You can use systems in parallel to accommodate most pool flows. For commercial systems, you will need our HV Fluid Sterilizer as it handles 200 GPM.
Q: What is the definition of “Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)?
A: SBS is used to describe situations in which building occupants suffer from acute health and comfort disorders. The complaints appear to be linked to the time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone or may be widespread through a building.
Q: How does UV light and the advanced oxidation process kill bacteria and viruses?
A: UV light kills the bacteria by attacking the DNA of a cell preventing cellular division. It attacks the RNA in viruses (preventing replication). Ozone ruptures the cytoplasmic membrane in bacteria cells “lysing” the cell wall. It attacks the RNA in viruses (preventing replication). PHI cells combines both methods.
Q: If my heating and air conditioning unit has an air filter on it do I need anything more?
A: Traditional air filters only trap medium-to-large particles and have no effect on gases, vapors, bacteria and viruses.
Q: What are some of the causes of sick building?
A: Mold, mildew, plumbing problems, tightly sealed buildings, off gases from carpets, glues, copy machines, furniture, etc.
Q: What are some of the symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality or sick building syndrome (SBS)?
A: Eye, nose throat, and skin irritations, respiratory infections, headaches, fatigue, coughing, wheezing, nausea, dizziness and lethargy.