Rentokil Initial’s hygiene division (Initial Hygiene) has launched its VIRUSKILLER™ clean air technology in Singapore. VIRUSKILLER™ air purifiers use a 3 layered filtration system and a patented UV-C Reactor Chamber to deactivate viruses in real-time. It provides protection from indoor air pollutants and offers superior protection against respiratory viruses, bacteria, mould, fungi and Coronavirus.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted from person to person via aerosols in the air[1], raising great concern. When independently tested against Coronavirus DF2 (a surrogate for Coronavirus), Adenovirus, Influenza and Polio, the VIRUSKILLER™ air purifier was found to kill 99.9999 per cent of viruses in a single air pass. This technology is now available to businesses, households, and public facilities to minimise the risk of airborne transmission and the harmful effects of indoor air pollution.

Unlike traditional air purifiers that just ‘trap’ airborne particles and microbes, VIRUSKILLER™ decontaminates the air by not only trapping but also deactivating airborne viruses, bacteria, and fungi. When placed correctly, the unit takes control of the airflow in a room, drawing contaminated air in from the ‘breathing zone’ and releasing fresh, clean air back into the ‘breathing zone’.

Indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoors. It may contain dust, dander pollutants, allergens, miniscule particulate matter as small as PM0.3, bacteria, mould & fungi[2]. When we breathe these in, our lungs have to filter all out these pollutants to provide our body with air. The worse the quality of the air, the harder your lungs have to work at filtering them out and the higher the chances they enter your body- having a negative impact on your health.

Alongside a triple filtration system, the innovative VIRUSKILLER™ uses a patented Reactor Chamber, consisting of a number powerful ultraviolet-C (UV-C) lamps, surrounded by titanium dioxide (TiO2) tube filters.

The emitted UV-C light reacts with the TiO2 surface, and in a process called ‘photocatalytic oxidation’ produces hydroxyl radicals (OH), which break down the cellular structure of organic compounds. This all-in-one solution effectively filters dirty air, neutralises toxic air, and decontaminates sick air.

Jimmy Chan, Regional Operations Manager, Rentokil Initial Asia says, “In the Reactor Chamber, two things happen. First, the UV-C light destroys DNA of bacteria and RNA of viruses. Second, the TiO2 upon absorption of UV-C will generate highly reactive OH molecules that will deactivate pathogens, VOCs, and other air pollutants.

This dual action decontamination process provides real-time protection against air pollutants, allergens, toxic gases and fumes, and pathogens.”

The VIRUSKILLER™ air purifiers are available in 3 models, namely the Hextio for personal use to provide clean air in a small area of up to 20 sq metres, the VK 401 for places like classrooms, clinics, hotel rooms and washrooms with coverage of 50 sq metres and the VK102 for large places including hospitals, KTVs, hotels, schools, offices and restaurants with coverage of up to 165 sq metres.

Source REntokil Initial