Description of Test
Determines the impact of a vacuum cleaner system on airborne microbes, mold, viruses, ultrafine particles and other airborne pathogens using PCR and other aerobiological testing
Products that can be tested
Household and commercial canister (tank-type), stick, hand-held, upright, and utility vacuum cleaner systems.
Scope
The emission of ultrafine particles from certain vacuum cleaners, even with HEPA based filtration, can result in consumer exposure to bacterial fragments, and other noxious particulate materials.
Household dust comprises of bacteria, viruses, mold and toxins. Most microorganisms are of sub-micron particulate size. When dust in a room is disturbed, these particles remain airborne for days at a time. Recirculation of the contaminated air serves to augment exposure and hence potential infectivity.
airmid healthgroup is a uniquely integrated testing facility which combines molecular biology with state of the art air sampling and particle counting in a highly sophisticated environmental test chamber. Availing of such facilities, we can follow nominated airborne infectious agents and other toxic biological particles, such as ultrafine particles, as they become airborne and are distributed throughout the chamber in the presence and absence of the vacuum cleaner under test.
Aerobiological data generated in this manner will have a vastly greater degree of sensitivity and specificity than any that relies on conventional techniques. Molecular technology also allows for quantification of residual contamination within the vacuum cleaner and its ability to capture any infective biological particulate material being shed.
airmid healthgroup‘s previous work and applied research in microbiology, molecular biology, and aerobiology means we we are uniquely positioned to provide this service.
Turnaround Time
6 weeks from receipt of samples
Samples Required
3 vacuum cleaners with 9 bags and 9 filters
Price
On request
“The quality of the third party data we received from Airmid helped us showcase our innovative strategy of licensing this novel technology at a prestigious international scientific event, the European Innovation Convention. Ultimately this will allow us add value and differentiate our customer offerings through a focus on health and indoor air quality.”Mr. Robert Hickson, MD of VitrA Ireland