Bipolar Ionization Kills Pathogens

COVID and Air Pollutants can be Eliminated Simultaneously

High Efficiency Mask Market and Proactive Program for Suppliers

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Bipolar Ionization Kills Pathogens

This technology has potential in the fight against COVID. The key question is the kill rate. If it takes 30 minutes to be effective that is less attractive than if a much shorter time is effective. Some research is being conducted on a version of electrostatic precipitators to catch and kill COVID. With this technology the dwell time is seconds. So we need to look at both approaches.

According to Alpha Energy Solutions Bi-polar ionization quickly and continuously reduces the threat of the common cold, E. coli, tuberculosis, avian flu, swine flu, SARS, staph, mold spores and allergens. O2Prime technology is a system that has been proven by certified analytical independent third party accredited laboratory tests to effectively and proactively kill very harmful pathogens on surfaces at astounding rates quickly, effectively and efficiently in addition to controlling gases and odors to vastly improve air quality. Harmful pathogens are effectively and proactively being eliminated in the air and on surfaces wherever the conditioned air reaches throughout the entire space – ceiling to floor and wall to wall – whenever the ECS is operating.

O2 Prime Pathogen Control Ions are attracted to pathogens. When the ions combine on the surface of a pathogen, they rob the pathogen of the hydrogen bonds necessary for them to survive. During the final step of deactivation, the ions eliminate hydrogen from the pathogen, making the airborne virus inactive or non-viable. Substantial testing to confirm the kill rates of various pathogens has been performed.

Bipolar ionization addresses the need for purified air using a process that targets airborne pollutants. Ionization happens when atoms and molecules are charged by either taking away or adding a bond to create either a positive or negative result. In the case of needlepoint bipolar ionization, energy is generated to absorb and neutralize pollutants.  Volatile organic compounds, viruses, bacteria and mold are killed by ionization. Ionization is effective in managing disease control in buildings. 

Quality air control is essential during peak flu seasons and cycles when diseases run rampant. Facilities can do more to protect occupants with simple but effective tools while maximizing on HVAC applications. HVAC units are instrumental in reducing viral spread.

 

COVID and Air Pollutants can be Eliminated Simultaneously

The impetus to wear masks and improve filtration in buildings in China and many other countries has been driven by air quality concerns. Since the same equipment will mitigate COVID the investment needs to be made from the perspective of total air cleanliness.

Air pollution continues to pose one of the biggest threats to human health, with 90% of the global population breathing unsafe air.

The latest data compiled by IQAir, published in the 2019 World Air Quality Report and the most polluted cities ranking, reveals the changing state of particulate pollution (PM2.5) around the world during 2019.

The new dataset highlights elevated air pollution levels as a result of climate change events, such as sandstorms and wildfires, and pollution gains from the rapid urbanization of cities, in regions such as Southeast Asia. While some achievements have been made in air quality monitoring infrastructure globally, there are still huge gaps in access to data around the world.

“While the new coronavirus is dominating international headlines, a silent killer is contributing to nearly 7 million more deaths a year: air pollution," IQAir CEO Frank Hammes said. "Through compiling and visualizing data from thousands of air quality monitoring stations, the 2019 World Air Quality Report gives new context to the world’s leading environmental health threat."

Key findings from the report include:

·         In China: Chinese cities achieved a 9% average decrease in PM2.5 levels in 2019, after a 12% decrease in 2018. Still, 98% of cities exceeded WHO guidelines and 53% of cities exceed China’s less stringent national targets. In the last decade Beijing has more than halved its annual PM2.5 levels. This year, Beijing dropped out of the ranking’s top 200 most polluted cities.

·         In South Korea: South Korea was the most polluted country for PM2.5 among OECD countries during 2019. Air quality levels in key cities have remained relatively stagnant over recent years.

·         In India: While cities in India, on average, exceed the WHO target for annual PM2.5 exposure by 500%, national air pollution decreased by 20% from 2018 to 2019, with 98% of cities experiencing improvements. These improvements are believed to be largely a result of economic slow-down.

·         In South Asia: Indian and Pakistani cities again dominate the world’s most polluted cities for PM2.5 in 2019. Twenty-one out of the top 30 most polluted cities are located in India. Five of the top 30 most polluted cities are located in Pakistan.

·         In Southeast Asia: In a historic shift reflecting the region’s rapid industrialization, urban hubs Jakarta and Hanoi overtook Beijing for the first time, among the world’s most PM2.5 polluted capital cities.

·         Wildfires and open burning agricultural practices had a major impact on the air quality of cities and countries around the world, including Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Los Angeles.

·         Desertification and sandstorms play a big role in poor air quality in the Middle East and west China.

·         Huge populations around the world still lack access to real-time air pollution data, especially within Africa and the Middle East. Increasing numbers of global citizens and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are deploying their own low-cost air quality sensors to fill in data gaps where they exist. Owing to these efforts, continuous public air quality data is now available for the first time for Angola, the Bahamas, Cambodia, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Latvia, Nigeria, and Syria.
 

“While air quality monitoring is increasing, the lack of air quality data in large parts of the world poses a serious problem, as what is not measured cannot be managed," added Mr. Hammes. "Areas that lack air quality information are often estimated to have some of the world’s most severe air pollution, putting huge populations at risk. Africa, a continent of 1.3 billion people, currently has less than 100 monitoring stations that make PM2.5 data available to the public in real-time. More real-time air quality data leads citizens and governments to make better decisions that will improve the lives of millions for decades to come,” added Mr. Hammes.

 

High Efficiency Mask Market and Proactive Program for Suppliers

Evidence is growing that highly efficient rather than cloth masks will be needed to vanquish COVID.  A proactive program by mask and media suppliers would greatly reduce COVID and  generate very large revenues for suppliers of media and masks.

 

 

McIlvaine is providing enough information in the daily alerts and analysis that it is possible to determine the justifiable investment in a specific type of mask in a specific location and activity and determine the risk reduction. Many influencers and purchasers do not differentiate between masks and are therefore not investing in the right products to reduce their risk to levels they believe acceptable.

As a result the market for efficient masks is much smaller than it will be when buyers and influencers are presented  with reliable cost/benefit information. There is the opportunity for the suppliers to greatly increase sales by joining in a program to

1.      Ascertain reliable cost/benefit information  for every application in every country  for each type of individual

2.      Communicate that information to the influencers and decision makers with webinars, magazine articles, and white papers

3.      Receive market forecasts for the thousands of individual opportunities with an understanding of competitive advantages and disadvantages

A  preliminary cost-benefit analysis for COVID PPE  was  prepared and discussed in one of our early webinars.    http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/images/Coronavirus_Mitigation_Cost.pdf

This shows that the cost of treatment for those hospitalized with COVID can exceed $1 million if ventilators are needed. But this is a minor cost compared to the associated costs such as those who are sick but not hospitalized.  It does not take into account the pain and suffering of family members and the loss of productivity in the economy.

On the other hand wearing an efficient mask is uncomfortable compared to no mask or to a cloth mask. Breathability is a challenge with a tight fitting efficient mask.   It is hard to communicate when the faces of speakers are not visible. It is not possible to drink or eat when wearing a mask. High efficiency masks cost more than cloth masks.

Cost/Benefits of Efficient Masks

The cost/benefits of efficient masks vs other technologies need to be evaluated.  With a highly efficient mask social distancing can be reduced. So the two have to be compared.

Cost/benefits of Alternative Technologies Compared to a Specific Mask Design

The costs and benefits involve assessment of life quality. Some years ago a major supplier of surgical gowns contracted with Mcilvaine to determine the costs/ benefits of single use vs reusable surgical gowns. There was no good metric to measure the harm and good of each alternative. Therefore a new metric based on quality enhanced life days was created. This metric will be very valuable in comparing the costs/benefits of  efficient masks to vanquish COVID. The concept was covered by a hospital magazine and is displayed at:

Quality Enhanced Life Days ~ A New Metric for Hospital ...    

People do not live their lives to maximize the length. They live to enjoy quality time even at the expense of longevity.  Individuals who donate kidneys or fall on grenades to save comrades are proud and extreme examples of decisions to choose quality over quantity. Every day we make many quality choices. In fact every minute we spend in an automobile statistically reduces our life by 20 seconds. So if we drive 2 hours for some form of entertainment, we are indicating that we would be willing to sacrifice 40 seconds of life for that enhancement. Sustainability therefore should be about assuring future opportunities for life quality as well as quantity .Success is best measured by a  metric called Quality Enhanced Life Days (QELD).

The costs and benefits are affected by the following parameters

 

 

Evaluations are made of respirators as an alternative to masks. It is interesting that a hospital chain has selected the MSA respirator for its personnel. There is also an  evaluation of valved masks as an alternative for those who have respiratory problems.

The forecasts assume a flexible approach similar to that in China where mask wearing is tied to the daily air pollution index. The use of masks to battle COVID will show higher benefits related to costs when the case rate in an area is high and rising.

It will depend upon the space. An N99 mask might be justified on the subway but an 95 mask in the office and an N70 mask in the park at lunch. (Masks not in use can be stored in a case the size of a large purse with UV disinfection).

Continually updated forecasts will be provided for 80 countries and sub regions x 8 years x 4 mask types x  both media and finished filters x 4 efficiencies x 10 applications = 204,800 forecasts.

 Mask Forecast by Type ($ Millions)

 Mask Forecast by Scope ($ Millions)

 

Mask Forecast by Country ($ Millions)

 

The logical segmentation of mask type is by efficiency and not whether it has to be manufactured in a sterile environment or which government agency has a standard. It is likely that standards will change when the aerosol generation factor is included.

Mask Forecast by efficiency  ($ Millions)

 

All masks by definition are for individuals.  An individual should not wear the same efficiency mask for all occasions. Therefore the market should be analyzed in terms of applications.

(Mask Forecast by Applications $ Millions)

 

There is continuous assessment of mask alternatives in the Alerts. We are also reporting on the many meltblown products which rely on meltblown polypropylene sandwiched between two spun bond layers. Generally there is an extra charging step. This product is in short supply. Here are some newer options. Details are shown in the Alerts.  The products are listed chronologically with the most recent articles first. They can also be accessed by any keyword.

 

 

For more information on the High Efficiency Mask Market and Proactive Program for Suppliers contact Bob McIlvaine at 847 226 2391 rmcilvain@mcilvainecompany.com