Posts Tagged Aerobiology
Ambient scenting systems put to work in UK hospitals
UK ambient scenting company Signature Aromas has been placing their essential oil-based systems in hospitals to help reduce infections from airborne pathogens. The company’s Purazone system has been shown to be effective in destroying the deadly superbugs MRSA and C. diff, as well as many bacteria and fungi. The Purazone is under clinical trial at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton. According to the company, trial results will be ready before the summer. Meanwhile, you can look at the impressive kill rates they’ve got so far.
Coincidentally, this is exactly one year after an Air Sense post about the initial UK trials (see Scent machines used in war against hospital superbug).
Related links:
2 comments April 23, 2008
MRSA Update
Aerobiologists and scent-machine makers in the business of infection control and prevention will be interested in the recent Infection Prevention Industry Update. The article contains the latest findings about the startling increase in prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). See Infection Control Today Magazine for the full report.
Add comment January 20, 2008
Aerobiologists to convene in Finland, Argentina
The 4th European Symposium on Aerobiology takes place in August 2008 in Turku, Finland. The meeting will provide scientists with an update on various aspects of aerobiology. The topics of the meeting include forensic palynology, satellite imaging, meteorology and long-distance monitoring and the recent developments in modeling and methodology. Read more at The Conference website
Aerobiologists will also be gathering in Buenos Aires, Argentina in August 2010 at the 9th International Congress on Aerobiology. Read more on that conference here
Add comment October 3, 2007
Ozone used to disinfect hospitals from MRSA and other bugs
A British company unveiled a disinfecting machine using a new technology that can kill up to 99.99% of airborne bacteria and viruses. The machines, developed by Inov8 Science, mix the naturally-occurring ozone in the air with olefins, producing a cascade of hydroxyl radicals, which kill viruses and bacteria, including the deadly and rampant MRSA. Olefins are the molecules of the scent of flowers and plants, and are supplied via cartridges in the machine that need replacing monthly. The machines are designed for a 10 to 100 square meter room. Read more in HES Magazine, or at the company’s web site
Add comment September 2, 2007
Scent machines used in war against hospital superbug
Originally designed to mask unpleasant odors on hospital wards, scent machines in a U.K. hospital are also being tested for their ability to prevent infection. The machine disperses a special recipe of particular essential oils that attack MRSA, a hospital-borne superbug that kills up to 5,000 U.K. hospital patients each year and countless others throughout the world. In a 9-month trial of one essential oil-dispersing machine on a ward, infection on the ward was significantly reduced and airborne bacterial counts were reduced by 90%. To read more about the study, see BBC.
1 comment April 23, 2007
Eco-friendly aromas abate airborne infection hazard
Fragrance compounds from cinnamon, cloves, coriander and other spices kill airborne bacteria, yeast and mold, according to a University of Vienna study. The researchers set out to investigate eco-friendly, unobjectionable substances with a potential for air disinfection. The study, published recently in Flavor and Fragrance Journal, involved the four aroma chemicals thymol, linalool, trans-cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. It’s the first study to look at antimicrobial properties of aroma chemicals and essential oils on airborne microbes. To read more about the study, see Flavor and Fragrance Journal
Add comment March 20, 2007
