Posts Tagged People and Companies
New ‘Always On’ Air Sanitizer Fills Critical Gap in Infection Control
–Prolitec’s aria™ System Targets Airborne Bacteria
NEW ORLEANS, LA–(Marketwire – July 12, 2010) – Hand washing and frequent wiping of surfaces like counters and handrails are necessary elements in institutional infection-control protocols. Effective as these techniques are, however, they are labor intensive, not automated, and do nothing to counter airborne bacteria — one of the primary mechanisms for the spread of disease. With the introduction of Prolitec, Inc.’s aria™ air-sanitizing agent, assisted-living facilities, hospitals, medical offices, and other enclosed spaces finally have a means of addressing this critical gap in infection control.
Prolitec’s Aerobiology and Infection Control division unveiled the new aria™ system today at the annual conference of the Washington, D.C.-based Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, in New Orleans.
The aria™ air-sanitizing system, which won EPA registration in November 2009, uses newly patented Prolitec technology to generate an invisible “dry” vapor of a safe and effective air sanitizing agent. The vapor can be distributed within a space directly from a small wall-mounted appliance or indirectly through an air handler. The result is a uniformly distributed vapor compliant with OSHA air-contaminant restrictions for workplace inhalation — one that is non-damaging to materials and electronics, yet significantly decreases the numbers of viable airborne bacteria under relatively wide conditions of relative humidity and temperature.
“Bacteria and other microorganisms are frequently introduced into the air by actions such as sneezing and coughing. Once microorganisms are airborne they can be inhaled or can settle and contaminate surfaces,” noted Dr. Craig A. Kelly, a veteran Johns Hopkins University scientist and chief of Prolitec’s Aerobiology and Infection-Control unit. “The function of the aria™ system is to reduce the concentration of airborne bacteria in a continuous and automated manner, thereby reducing the likelihood of inhalation or surface-settling of viable microorganisms.”
“An important feature of aria™ is that it is fully automated and works 24 hours a day, seven days a week without any human intervention,” noted Richard Weening, CEO of Milwaukee-based Prolitec. “The aria™ system can safely and effectively reduce background levels of airborne bacteria to establish the foundation of a successful infection-control protocol. It is the one part of the program that will always be 100% compliant.”
Dr. Kelly added: “Amid heightened awareness of disease transmission by airborne microorganisms, aria™ provides a critical tool for the infection-control professional to address airborne bacteria in a way that was not previously available. That can translate into a greater sense of safety and well-being for patients, residents, caregivers and visitors alike.”
About Prolitec
Prolitec (www.prolitec.com) develops and deploys air-treatment and air care technologies, including odor control, ambient scenting, aromatherapy and the use of scent as a medium of communication. Clients include assisted-living facilities, hotels, casinos, retailers and other commercial organizations in the United States and around the world. Prolitec’s Aerobiology and Infection Control Unit is developing interior air and surface systems to inhibit disease transmission.
Add comment July 12, 2010
A fascinating article over at Bloomberg Businessweek gives an overview of the state of scent marketing and some of the latest scent-related developments. A few wildly different items of note:
- Research in France indicates scent may have a powerful role to play in helping people who are suffering from severe trauma.
- Scent is an integral part of a new transdisciplinary master’s program at the Parsons New School for Design in New York.
- Bloom grocery stores recently implemented the first scented billboard in North Carolina, using giant fans to blow a charbroiled scent over a highway.
Check it out over at Bloomberg Businessweek: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_26/b4184085987358.htm
Add comment June 18, 2010
Prolitec Names Johns Hopkins Scientist to Lead Infection Control Effort
–New business unit will focus on systems to kill bacteria and viruses in healthcare facilities, schools & other spaces
MILWAUKEE, Wisc. (6/10/10)–Prolitec Inc. today announced the appointment of Dr. Craig A. Kelly as Vice President and Director of Technology Development.
The veteran Johns Hopkins University scientist will also serve as chief of the company’s Aerobiology and Infection Control unit. In this role, Dr. Kelly will lead Prolitec’s research and development of airborne and surface antimicrobial systems designed to kill bacteria and viruses in healthcare facilities, schools, assisted living facilities, commercial aircraft, and other public spaces where the control of infection transmission is an important issue.
“We have long experience working with Dr. Kelly in some of his earlier assignments,” said Richard Weening, CEO of Prolitec. “He is exactly the right person to expand the R&D effort and transform the work into the practical infection control applications so urgently needed by the healthcare system.”
Prior to joining Prolitec, Dr. Kelly spent 10 years as a member of the Senior Professional Staff at Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Lab in Baltimore, where he worked on a wide range of projects, including chemical and biological warfare agent decontamination. Most recently, from 2009 to 2010, he served as Acting Program Manager for the laboratory’s Missile Defense Agency Sensors Directorate. He began at the laboratory in 1999, initially working on chemical sensor development.
Dr. Kelly has published 21 peer-reviewed scientific articles and has been awarded three patents. He holds a Ph.D. in Physical Inorganic Chemistry from Bowling Green State University and a B.S. in Chemistry from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Additionally, he completed post-doctoral fellowships at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Chemistry Department, Johns Hopkins’ Department of Chemistry and Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Laboratory.
“Infection control is a serious challenge for healthcare, education and several other sectors where harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi pose a threat to humans,” Dr. Kelly noted. “Prolitec has developed new and promising technologies to address these issues. Our objective is to advance them into fully operational systems approved by the relevant regulatory agencies.”
About Prolitec
Prolitec (www.prolitec.com) develops and deploys air-treatment and air care technologies, including odor control, ambient scenting, aromatherapy and the use of scent as a medium of communication. Clients include assisted living facilities, hotels, casinos, retailers and other commercial facilities in the U.S. and 46 countries around the world. Prolitec’s Aerobiology and Infection Control unit is developing interior air and surface systems to inhibit disease transmission.
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Add comment June 9, 2010
Aegis Living Selects Prolitec for Aromatherapy Service to Senior Living Communities
REDMOND, WA — 03/10/10 — As part of its continuing effort to enhance the lives of residents in its retirement and assisted living communities, Aegis Living (www.aegisliving.com) has selected Prolitec Inc. (www.prolitec.com) to introduce aromatherapy to public areas in all 35 of its senior living facilities in Washington, California and Nevada.Following an initial installation in the new Aegis of Bellevue (Wash.) community, the Redmond-based company contracted with Prolitec to roll out the systems to the remainder of its communities over the course of 2010, with several installations now under way. The systems from Milwaukee-based Prolitec will condition the air in lobbies and hallways with tiny amounts of a scent created especially for Aegis.
Aegis’ scent, called ‘Serene,’ is a blend of chamomile, aromatic lavender and other complementary and proprietary ingredients. Chamomile reduces stress and anxiety and is used to treat insomnia, while lavender relaxes the body. According to a Duke University study, the scent of lavender relaxed participants as much as a massage.
Depending on the community’s mechanical system, Aegis’ proprietary scent will be dispersed in the designated common areas through a variety of HVAC or wall-mounted delivery systems from Prolitec. As the program evolves, residents will also be given the opportunity to have aromatherapy in their individual units through Prolitec’s Air/Q Whole Room (www.airq.com) system for an additional monthly charge.
“Already known as one of the premier operators of retirement and assisting living communities, Aegis is taking another step forward in raising the standards for better senior living with the introduction of aromatherapy,” said Richard Weening, CEO of Prolitec. “The scent that we developed for them will make residents feel better and they don’t have to do anything, just breathe in the air.”
“Prolitec is the technology leader in the safe and sensible use of scent in public spaces,” added Jerry Meyer, COO of Aegis. “We chose Prolitec because they have a customer-focused, high-standards culture like Aegis and they understand the special requirements of senior communities.”
About Prolitec
Prolitec (www.prolitec.com) is a world leader in the development and deployment of innovative air-treatment and air care technologies including odor control, ambient scenting, aromatherapy and the use of scent as a medium of communication. Clients include retailers, hotels, casinos and other commercial organizations in the U.S. and in 20 countries around the world. Prolitec’s Aerobiology and Infection Control Unit develops human-safe and green systems for controlling pests and killing airborne and surface bacteria and viruses.
About Aegis Living
Aegis Living is a national leader in retirement and assisted living, offering a progressive selection of senior residences to meet the growing needs of today’s aging population. Providing the finest in senior lifestyle and living options available, “We are the people who make life better” emphasizes health, quality of life, well being and community. Aegis Living is guided by a simple philosophy: strive to treat all people with the highest possible standards. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, privately held Aegis Living operates 35 communities in Washington, California and Nevada. Additional information about Aegis Living and its services are available at www.AegisLiving.com. Follow us on Twitter @twitter.com/aegisliving and Facebook at http://bit.ly/OUNyR.
Add comment March 11, 2010
Ambius to scent U.S. Omni Hotels and Resorts
BUFFALO GROVE, IL, Dec 17, 2009 (MARKETWIRE) — Ambius, an industry leader in creating customized, inspirational scents, has signed an agreement with Omni Hotels & Resorts to use the Ambius Microfresh ambient scent program at its properties across the U.S. Omni, renowned for its unique luxury portfolio in leading business gateway cities and resorts locales and for their award-winning service, will be utilizing a variety of Ambius scents in hotel lobbies and other areas of the properties to help create memorable experiences for their guests.
Ambient experiences can play an important role in attracting and retaining repeat customers in numerous settings. Of the five senses, smell is often considered the most powerful trigger of emotions and memories. With Ambius’s state-of-the art Microfresh program, Omni will be able to have each hotel choose a particular scent which is in keeping with the authentic, locally oriented design and decor of the property to further deliver an ambience which captures the true essence of the destination.
“Omni has become recognized in the hospitality industry for using an innovative, sensory approach to ensure we create an engaging, comfortable environment for our guests,” said Stephen Rosenstock, senior vice president for brand standards for Omni Hotels & Resorts. “Ambius is perfectly positioned to provide the products and services we are seeking as we evolve the program by customizing the scents in our properties based on the particular ambience we are looking to achieve for each.”
“Our ambient scenting system results in a holistic, inspiring and memorable atmosphere which complements and reinforces Omni’s mission to exceed the expectations of guests. We’re extremely pleased to partner with like-minded companies who have discovered the role that scent can play in creating a unique experience,” said Jeff Mariola, Ambius divisional managing director.
About Ambius
Ambius offers a full spectrum of services to enhance the interior space for the hospitality, healthcare, retail, and commercial industries. From ambient scenting to interior landscaping, holiday decor, decorative wall art and fresh fruit and flower deliveries to businesses in 18 countries in Europe, North America, South Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. Ambius is a division of Rentokil Initial plc /quotes/comstock/23s!e:rto (UK:RTO 114.12, -3.50, -2.96%) . For more information, visit the new Ambius website at www.ambius.com
Media Contact: Nancy Tamosaitis-Thompson Vorticom, Inc. 212.532.2208
Add comment December 19, 2009
Prolitec Unveils First Fully Adjustable Air Freshener for Individual Rooms
SPA-QUALITY SCENTING TECHNOLOGY COMES TO THE HOME—AND DESKTOP
–Prolitec Unveils First Fully Adjustable Air Freshener for Individual Rooms
MILWAUKEE (7/7/09) – The world’s most elegant hotels, resorts, spas and retail shops have long understood the power of scent to improve the customer experience. Now, thanks to the introduction of Prolitec Inc.’s new Air/Q™ Whole Room Air Freshener™, homeowners can use a sleek, miniaturized version of the company’s highly popular commercial scenting technology to erase odors and enhance the ambiance of any room—without the safety and environmental issues associated with most other air freshening methods.
Air/Q™ is a sleek five-inch cube, handsome enough to be on display and small enough to be hidden away. The system can be adjusted for any size room and homeowner preference for scent strength. Air/Q™ works continuously to erase odors, including pet and common household odors, while also maintaining a consistent level of scent. Homeowners can choose from a dozen of Prolitec’s most popular commercial scents, including Clear Sky, Lemon Verbena, Rose and Peony, and Mojito.
“Air/Q™ is the first and the only fully adjustable room air freshener on the market today,” said Roger Bensinger, Prolitec’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “Scent intensity levels can be set from ‘1’ to ‘50,’ to precisely match room size and user tastes. Air/Q™ can be programmed to start and stop at certain times each day. Most of all, Air/Q™ is the greenest, safest way to kill odor and introduce scent into the air. It is the same technology proven effective in demanding commercial settings, but miniaturized for home use.”
The Air/Q™ is available for purchase at www.airq.com, which also offers accessories and refill cartridges of proprietary scents.
Prolitec’s new Air/Q™ comes at a time when consumers are spending more hours at home and have an even greater interest in the use of scent to improve the home environment. This has created a booming market for household air-care products that is estimated at $8 billion a year, including scented candles. At the same time, however, consumers are increasingly aware of the potentially harmful consequences of open-flame candles and the soot they produce, as well as the VOCs emitted by some other home air fresheners. “Air/Q™ was created to address the deficiencies of low-performance, traditional air fresheners. Some of these have safety issues. None is adjustable to room size and the consumer’s taste, nor do these old-fashioned approaches provide a uniform scent effect,” Bensinger noted.
To that end, Air/Q™ takes advantage of Prolitec’s patented micro-droplet technology, which erases odors and delivers a uniform scent effect impact with an ultra-low quantity of scent: less than 1 molecule for every million compared with 20,000 per million from conventional aerosols. “This extremely low quantity of scent formulation, free of harmful VOCs, makes us the greenest way to scent a home,” Bensinger said.
The launch of the Air/Q™ Whole Room Air Freshener follows the recent introduction of the Air/Q™ Whole House Air Freshener™ or “WHAF,” which is installed in the home heating and air conditioning system. The WHAF is available through selected heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors throughout the U.S.
About Prolitec
Prolitec (www.prolitec.com) is a world leader in the development and deployment of innovative air-freshening technologies and solutions for aerobiology, indoor air quality and the use of scent as a medium of communication. Clients include retailers, hotels, casinos and other commercial organizations in the US and around the world. Prolitec also sells scent systems for the home at www.airq.com.
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Press Contacts: At Prolitec, Roger Bensinger, (414) 615-4630, AirQinfo@prolitec.com; at Parness & Associates Public Relations, Lisa Kreda or Bill Parness, (732) 290-0121, parnespr@optonline.net
Add comment July 7, 2009
Prolitec unveils home air-freshening system
Prolitec unveils the world’s first fully adjustable, HVAC-integrated home air-freshening system at Chicago’s AHR Expo
CHICAGO (1/26/09) – Amid the slowdown in commercial and residential construction, HVAC-industry professionals are focusing harder than ever on innovative ways to boost revenue. In a major new sales-generating opportunity for the industry, Prolitec, Inc. today unveiled the Air/Q™ Whole House Air Freshener™ (WHAF)—the first fully adjustable, HVAC-integrated home air freshening system.
The new technology, on view through Jan. 29 at the AHR Expo at McCormick Place (booth 1243), comes at a time of rising concern among consumers about the harmful effects of aerosols, plug-in air fresheners, reed diffusers and other low-performance air fresheners, noted Roger Bensinger, Prolitec’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “People today want to add scent to their total home experience, but thanks to the green movement they also are much more aware of what is in the air,” he said. “They are particularly concerned about the ill effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in large doses by some of these old-fashioned products, including scented candles.”
Prolitec created Air/Q WHAF to give homeowners a safe, affordable and highly efficient air-freshening alternative, Bensinger said. This proprietary technology and chemistry, he added, already is in use at many major hotels, resorts and spas. Without flame or heat and without releasing any harmful VOCs, Air/Q WHAF creates a pleasant scent throughout the home. As an option, when used with ARIA ™, Prolitec’s breakthrough air-treatment agent also being introduced at AHR Expo, Air/Q WHAF and automatically sanitizes the air by killing airborne odor-causing bacteria and mold, fungus and microorganisms.
Patented micro-droplet technology enables Air/Q WHAF to deliver a uniform air treatment and scent throughout a home using an ultra-low concentration of liquid, and with no build-up in the duct work, Bensinger explained. “The system puts out droplets that are less than 1 micron in diameter, compared to a typical aerosol droplet of 50 microns,” he said. “These micro-droplets weigh about a million times less than those formed by traditional aerosols. Consequently, Air/Q WHAF can cover massive spaces using a tiny fraction of the liquid required by other air-fresheners, and does so in a much more uniform way.”
HVAC professionals will find Air/Q WHAF simple to install—it attaches to air handlers using a mounting template with four screws—and Prolitec designed the system to make cartridge-replacement easy for homeowners. In addition to direct sales of and installation fees for AIR/Q WHAF, a variety of air-freshening agents are available for sale as a recurring revenue opportunity, especially for spring and fall check-ups. “The ambient scent business has taken off in recent years,” Bensinger said. “Prior to Air/Q WHAF, however, no product could uniformly and efficiently cover the entire home.”
About Prolitec
Prolitec (www.prolitec.com) is a world leader in the development and deployment of innovative air-freshening technologies and solutions for aerobiology, indoor air quality and the use of scent as a medium of communication. Clients include retailers, hotels, casinos and other commercial organizations in the US and around the world.
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Press Contacts: At Prolitec, Roger Bensinger, (414) 615-4630, WHAFinfo@prolitec.com; at Parness & Associates Public Relations, Lisa Kreda or Bill Parness, (732) 290-0121, parnespr@optonline.net.
2 comments January 25, 2009
