AiroCide PPT Technology Comparisons
Types of Air Cleaners
There are a wide range of devices that are promoted to clean, sanitize or sterilize the air. They range in
use from personal individual use to devices that claim to clean the air in entire buildings. These devices
are either freestanding personal air cleaners (PAC’s) or part of the central HVAC system, or “whole
building” approach. The devices use one or a combination of, HEPA Filters, electrostatically charged
filters, carbon filters, elite filters, ozone generators, UV lamps, charged plates, negative or positive ion
generators, and photocatalytic oxides such as TiO2. Very few devices have any published scientific
testing and proof of their claims other than particulate (dust) removal.
Ultraviolet Light (UV)
Ultraviolet light can be placed within the air return duct of a central HVAC system or used as and element
of a PAC. One or multiple UV lights are used to kill passing or trapped microorganisms. Accepted UV
research shows there is generally insufficient energy or “dwell time” to kill microorganisms. The passing
air simply moves too fast. An exception is if the UV light were aimed directly at the coil of an HVAC
system, it would then kill ONLY pathogens on the surface of the coil not in the air.
HEPA Filters
High Efficiency Particulate Air or High Efficiency Particle Arrestor (HEPA) filters are used to reduce the
number of contaminants in indoor air. A true HEPA filter will arrest or stop 99.97% of all particles 0.3
microns or larger. The limitations of HEPA filters include leaking (bypass) when used in vacuums; high
initial and replacement cost, regular maintenance, and reduced airflow due to clogging. They cannot be
added to existing central HVAC systems without special modifications to the HVAC blower system and
they do not eradicate viruses, gases (VOC’s) or odors. Many so called HEPA filters sold to the public are
not “ True HEPA’ certified (they use name “HEPA” as a for marketing purposes, some as low as 5%
HEPA, which means they only remove less than 5% of what particles are in the air).
MERV Filters
Pleated MERV filters and pre-filters are used as central HVAC filter elements. Most will remove
approximately 95% of particles 10 microns and larger. These filters are not able to collect
microorganisms or viruses and have no effect on VOC’s. .
Carbon Media Filters
Carbon, or charcoal, filters will capture odors and some VOC’s. Because they work like microscopic
sponges, they do release (or degas”) odors and/or VOC’s back into the environment with just a slightest
temperature change. These gases and/or odors can be concentrated when degassed by the carbon filters in
much higher concentrations than were in the original air.
3625 Kennesaw North Industrial Parkway;
Kennesaw,
GA
30144
800-627-4913
www.KesScience.com
Electrostatic Precipitators
Electrostatic precipitators use a process of electrically charged plates that attracts dust. Some
microorganisms can be collected along with the dust. The collection area (plate) must be kept clean for
efficiency. These Electrostatic precipitators generate Ozone.
Ozone Generating Devices
Ozone makes up the largest percentage of what we call outdoor air pollution. The American Lung
Association states that human exposure to ozone should be “none” and OSHA issues a standard for ozone
levels of a maximum of 0.08- parts per million (ppm) exposure*. Even so, ozone generators are sold
today as ion generators, plasma, cold plasma, happy ions, negative ions, atomic oxygen, and pure air
(used with UV to produce hydroxyl radicals, sometimes referred to as photocatalytic ionizing
The ozone destruction mechanism uses gaseous hydroxyl radicals, compared to surface-bound ones
created in photocatalysis. Ozone’s gaseous hydroxyl radical randomly attacks anything organic that it
happens to collide with, including humans. Ozone cannot be safely used around humans in
concentrations high enough (ppm) to destroy microbes. Marketers today are quick to circumvent the
current standards however EPA, OSHA and FTC are beginning to focus on the problems and will develop
much more stringent enforcement policies.
* in an 8-hour work period while doing heavy labor.
Other Photocatalytic Oxidation Methods
Other attempts at using Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) coated materials that claim oxidation or pathogen
destruction have proven ineffective. The intended catalysts in these cases are either not photocatalytically
active and/or delaminate easily. AiroCide’s patented technology utilizes a nanoparticle science to make a
titanium oxide membrane that is photocatalytically active, which also binds to the applied surface(s)
without delaminating.
KES is a trademark of KES Science & Technology, Inc.
AiroCide is a trademark of KesAir Technologies, LLC
3625 Kennesaw North Industrial Parkway;
Kennesaw,
GA
30144
800-627-4913
www.KesScience.com