THE ULTIMATE IN SMOKE AND ODOR ELIMINATION

INTRODUCTION

Traditional methods to remove the smell of cigarette smoke and its associated noxious VOCs (volatile organic content) such as nicotine have focused on four approaches:

1. Carbon absorption - filters embedded with odor absorbing carbon granules in air purifiers or air conditioners;

2. Ozone - which is typically delivered by sealing the area to be treated and "blasting" ozone molecules to destroy odors over time;

3. HEPA filters - which are designed to trap physical particles that cause odor when these filters are inserted in air purifiers or air conditioning systems;

4. Fragrant encapsulements - basically air sprays that "mask" the odor but do not eliminate it..

None of these methods work well or cost effectively over time. Carbon filters are the most effective in terms of "absorbing" odors but none of these approaches actually destroy the odor-causing particles. There is a real need for a new technology that effectively eliminates - not traps or covers up, but totally eliminates - odors and the VOCs that are particularly harmful to humans. Such a technology is available now.

Enviroclean has spent the past four years developing it, perfecting it and creating the delivery systems and application methods to introduce it to the hospitality and gaming industries.  

UV-PCO - ULTRAVIOLET PHOTOCATALYTIC OXIDATION

UV-PCO (ultraviolet photocatalytic oxidation) technology was discovered over thirty years ago in Japan and is broadly described as the opposite of photosynthesis.  Photocatalysis is a completely natural process in which light, either sunlight or artificial indoor light-- hits a mineral and triggers a chemical reaction that breaks up or decomposes organic matter.

Photocatalytic TiO2 (titanium dioxide - a common and naturally occurring mineral safely used in paints and cosmetics) has been extensively studied and used (in Asia and Europe) for its beneficial effects in medical environments (to create self-sanitizing surfaces), as a valuable new tool in air and water treatment, as the key to producing self-cleaning windows and even in the production of smog-eating cement.

It is well documented that light energized, photocatalytic TiO2 is a safe, non-toxic, anti-oxidant that produces hydroxyl radicals (OH-) that are remarkably effective in rapidly decomposing organic matter, including bacteria, fungi, odors and nicotine. This chemical process of photocatalysis actually converts organic matter into the harmless elements of water and carbon dioxide, which are then released into the air but in such minute quantities that their conversion is unnoticeable. The air we breath is full of water molecules but at such minute levels that we are not conscious of their presence. Moreover, because the process is a "catalytic" one, the chemistry of catalytic reactions means that the "ingredients" triggering these results are never used up in the process. Therefore, once applied to the specified surface (whether hotel room walls, carpets, upholstery or other soft good surfaces in casino areas, or HVAC ducting), the Bio ShieldŽ products will continue to work, month after month.  

The benefits of this TIO2 photocatalytic technology are so significant that this is the solution that Asian researchers turned to during the SARS epidemic. Research and actual hospital and medical usage of photocatalytic TiO2 in Asia accelerated greatly during that epidemic and it is this same technology that has been adapted by Enviroclean to completely and continuously eliminate the malodorous and harmful elements of cigarette and cigar smoke.

Bio ShieldŽ produces in America a water based solution that air dries to form an invisible, well adhered, ultra thin, long lasting coating that actively protects all surfaces to which it is applied from the build up of any organic matter - including bio-film, bacteria, molds or fungi.

ENVIROCLEANâ / BIO SHIELDŽ SOLUTIONS FOR THE HOME AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Bio ShieldŽ offers the following programs for hotel and casino operators:

Room Deodorization - Bio ShieldŽ coatings for walls are sold installed under the brand name Bio ShieldŽ. They are designed to be easily and safely spray applied to all surfaces accessible to sunlight or fluorescent lighting.

Bio ShieldŽ coatings for fabrics are spray applied to window or sheer curtains, carpets, bedspreads or other upholstery in a room to turn these materials into photocatalytic air filters. All sprays dry quickly to create an invisible, ultra film that will help to eliminate all room odors after two to three days of light exposure. One application will continue working well for at least one year, when periodically re-energized by exposure to light.