The AirScrub System is based on a proprietary, advanced technology known as Photohydroionization. This technology uses a broad spectrum UV light as a catalyst.  It is targeted on a quad-metallic, multi-faceted cage-like structure around the light itself (see picture below).  This is a Photohydroionization Cell or PHI Cell. It creates Advanced Oxidation Products (AOPs) composed of very safe and aggressive oxidizers. Among these oxidizers are: hydro-peroxides, super oxide ions, ozonide ions, and hydroxides. 


                                                        PHI Cell

The oxidizers are propelled into the air throughout a facility where they attack and destroy bacteria, viruses, mold, and odors, not only in the air, but on surfaces as well. The AirScrub System will completely scrub the air many times an hour. Think of the oxidizers as little “Pac-Men” moving in the air throughout the facility. These little guys work twenty-four (24) hours a day, so one never has to worry about new bacteria, viruses, mold spores, or odors that may be created or brought into the facility. The oxidizers quickly attack and destroy them. The PHI Cell produces many types of oxidizers; thus, many different contaminants are eliminated. 


THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCES:

There are significant differences between the capability of the AirScrub System and that of other equipment on the market. Equipment commonly confused with AirScrub System includes filters, such as HEPA filters, HVAC equipment add-ons, "pure air", ozone generators, and UV lights.

Filters:

Because the AirScrub System is installed primarily in the duct work, people tend to jump to the conclusion that it uses "filters".  There are NO filters in the AirScrub System.  Filters trap particulate in the air and become a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as bacteria and mold.  These microorganisms are often re-circulated into the air stream, compounding the problem.  Filters do NOT eliminate bacteria, viruses, mold, and odors in the conditioned airspace of a facility.  The AirScrub System continuously (24/7) scrubs both the air and surfaces in the facility.  In addition, filters require frequent cleaning or replacement.  The AirScrub System is maintenance free.

HVAC Equipment Add-ons: 

Often an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) contractor will recommend various equipment be added to the air handling system for specific purposes, such as a UV light to kill the mold on the HVAC coil, or an electrostatic filter to reduce particulate flow through the duct work.  This is a piecemeal attempt at a "solution", which falls far short of the comprehensive AirScrub System approach for complete infection, mold, and odor protection.  The AirScrub System, designed for each facility, is based on the existing air handling equipment and the particular needs of the facility. Similarly, the installation of just one or two components of the AirScrub System equipment is not likely to produce the comprehensive results provided by a complete AirScrub System.  CASE (Clean Air Systems Engineering, Inc.) has conducted on-site testing to develop an effective “system” approach for comprehensive protection.

Pure Air:

There are many air purifiers on the market today that profess to provide clean or “pure” air.  Many legitimately provide some degree of purification.  However, in most systems, only the air that actually passes through the equipment is purified.  There are two concerns with this type of purifier: 1) all air does not, and cannot, pass through the equipment; and 2) they are not capable of killing contaminants on surfaces throughout a facility. No amount of excellent housekeeping can prevent the spread of contaminants. The critical difference provided by the AirScrub System is that in addition to purified air, the system is propelling advanced germ-killing oxidizers into the facility.  These advanced oxidizers are constantly scrubbing the air and surfaces.  This is particularly important for long-term and healthcare facilities where visitors are continually bringing in contaminants and resident/patient immune levels are low.

Ozone Technology: 

Ozone technology has been used for odor and infection control with good results.  However, the difficulty of controlling the amount of ozone produced is a concern for healthcare facilities, due in large part to the sensitivity of compromised persons to the inhalation of ozone.  Ozone technology typically requires frequent maintenance.  The AirScrub System does not emit ozone into the facility.

UV lights: 

All UV light-based equipment is not the same. Other UV light products are only capable of inactivating the bacteria and germs that pass directly through the light; actually, the only contaminants affected are those that pass within inches of the UV lamp itself. For years, the healthcare industry has been using a UV light that is not capable of sending microbial-killing oxidizers into the air throughout a facility, as does the AirScrub System. This is the critical difference.

Other UV light-based products do not eliminate odors, nor do they eliminate volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) as does the AirScrub System. In addition, the AirScrub System kills microbials 24/7, not only in the air, but also on surfaces throughout the facility.

The following chart highlights the differences between commonly used UV lights and that incorporated into the AirScrub System.