Also generates a decrease in VOCs, SOx and PMx.
Through the process of photocatalysis, PhotoACTIVE is able to drastically reduce the concentration levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs – vapor and gas produced by cigarettes, solvents, paints, adhesives, cleaning liquids, glues, preservatives, disinfectants, pesticides) that, when combined with nitrogen oxide in the air, contribute to the formation of smog. Filters treated with PhotoACTIVE and air duct grills in HVAC systems can further reduce VOC concentrations in the air.
Using the air flow created by HVAC systems, PhotoACTIVE helps sanitize indoor air through the oxidation process of photocatalysis. This leads to the decomposition of pollutants as they come in contact with treated surfaces, and their transformation into inorganic salts. This in turn helps reduce the concentrations of NOx, SOx and PMx in the air.
In the first 60 minutes following treatment with PhotoACTIVE, NOx concentration levels in the air are down by 90%. With appropriate ventilation, and for every square meter of treated surface, it is possible to generate up to 70 square meters of purified air per hour. This means that 4m² of a surface treated with PhotoACTIVE can eliminate as much NOx as a tree would in a year!
Chemical pollutants and indoor air quality
Indoor air can be contaminated by a wide range of chemicals. PhotoACTIVE helps degrade and eliminate those as soon as molecules come into contact with a treated surface:
• Carbon monoxide (CO): a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly in high concentrations. When they are poorly maintained or located in rooms with improper ventilation, heating devices and combustion water heaters can produce high levels of carbon monoxide.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): these are volatile compounds, meaning that they can evaporate and remain in the air. There are all sorts of VOCs: formaldehyde, organic solvents, glycol ethers, or hydrocarbons such as benzene. Some of them can cause cancer. Natural materials, such as treated wood, and traditional household items can also emit VOCs: home scents, incense, paints, glues, cleaning products, air fresheners…
• Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), such as phtalates, PAHs, bisphenols, musks, organophosphorus compounds, or pyrethroids. They can usually be found in coatings, plasticizers, wood-treatment products, biocides, flame retardants, etc.
• Tobacco smoke: tobacco smoke causes exposure to more than 3000 toxic substances, such as nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), or pesticides (insecticides and fungicides).
Questions
In the early stages of the pandemics, the University of Siena (Italy) led the research response against SARS-Cov-2 , the virus responsible for Covid-19. They demonstrated the efficacy of PhotoACTIVE in accordance with the EN 14476 standard, the only standard currently accepted in France to demonstrate the virucidal activity of a disinfectant against covid-19. Antibacterial tests were performed by independent laboratories according to the BS EN 1276/2019 standard, used to evaluate the bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. PhotoACTIVE showed excellent results after one year of use and outstanding resistance to extreme conditions.
Other long-lasting liquid solutions, that rely on nanotechnologies using nitrogen or silica particles, are available on the market. These products are however not currently effective against SARS-Cov-2. Surfaces treated with these products require regular cleaning, at the risk of being obstructed by a layer of dead microorganisms (the biofilm). In contrast, PhotoACTIVE decomposes the molecules that make up these microorganisms into volatile molecules, so you can rest assured that treated surfaces remain clean. PhotoACTIVE guarantees that all surfaces remain sanitized, even those that are usually hard to clean, such as textiles (chairs, sofas), or that are often overlooked (handrails, handles...).
