HYDROXYLY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE HYDROXYL GENERATOR CONCEPT?

Hydroxyl generators are new to the field of cleaning and indoor air quality. However the underlying scientific principles have been around for more than a century. UV disinfection protocols have been in common use in hospitals and in the food processing sector for many years. More recently, hydroxyl generation has been used as one solution to the ‘Sick Building Syndrome’, dramatically improving the levels of indoor air quality (typically through duct system installations).

The website of Penn State University School of Aerobiological Engineering provides a good reference source of studies that deal with UV applications (sometimes in conjunction with filtration) and systems design. The goal being to combat poor IAQ which would include, mold infestations and anthrax bio-terrorism. Through the Hydroxyl generators, we have taken this proven and safe core technology and placed it into a practical, cost effective form that for the first time gives the user mobility and high-volume air processing/decontamination capacity.

HOW DOES THE HYDROXYL GENERATOR DECONTAMINATION SYSTEM WORK?

The hydroxyl generator approach is based on a rarity in the industry, a multi-nanometer optical device that incorporates clearly defined zones within it. Each zone produces a different nanometer frequency simultaneously. The later is an important feature as this is how we ensure that no harmful ozone is produced (this may happen with single frequency optics). Another crucial component of the hydroxyl generator approach is the addition of correct, air-handling capacity. This is achieved by the inclusion of high efficiency fans on portable generators and optimal design criteria for engineered, permanently installed generators.

One hydroxyl generator Generator frequency disinfects indoor air from bacteria, viruses and fungi (including mold spores). An optimizing, fully reflective tunnel, assures that there is maximum effectiveness of the electron energy that is used to neutralize these bio-hazards. There are established protocols to calculate the air speed, light intensity and exposure times for mold species within a given or designed air volume. This chemical-free disinfection/decontamination system leaves no byproducts behind. All mold spores and particulate are rendered inert and ready for capture in our custom filter blocks provided in our mold-abatement models. Another frequency deodorizes by means of the production of a quick-acting, yet mild antioxidant. This anti-oxidant is injected into the air stream as it passes through the reactor chamber.

The electron energy serves as a catalyst to break apart ambient water molecules. This process yields hydroxyls that react with the chemical bonds of more complex molecules in odorless gasses such as solvents and VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). The process is referred to as photo-catalytic oxidation. Photo-catalytic oxidation rids indoor air and porous surfaces (such as fabric, wood and cement) of volatile contaminants.

HOW AND TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE HYDROXYL GENERATOR PROCESS DEAL WITH MOLD AND ITS RELATED ISSUES?

There are a number of applications within the fire and flood, carpet/upholstery cleaning and indoor air purification sectors in which the efficacy of hydroxyl generator decontamination systems are relatively easy to show; mold remediation is a more complex issue, both technically and legally. A number of nuances and precautions are now involved.

At this writing, experts, scientists and government agencies, with all their academic and financial resources cannot reach consensus in the area of mold abatement. We all have the option of waiting years until an unlikely consensus is achieved. However modest and limited, we have chosen to be proactive in our contribution to solving the mold issue. In fact, there is no one tool or technique available today that can claim to be a full solution.

The main challenge is that the mold issue is not unidirectional. One must consider and address every one of these following facets:

The origin of the problem
Conditions enabling the mold to grow
The effects of mold presence
Remediation of the existing mold
Prevention of recurrence

Molds require a number of conditions in order to thrive and reproduce:

An organic food source
Moisture
Ideal temperature
Stagnant air
A mechanism to reproduce and spread about

Active (and/or decaying) mold secretes the characteristic musty odor and toxic off gassing known as mycotoxins which include metabolic volatile organic compounds, or mVOCs. Many experts agree that it is precisely these noxious fumes as well as the accompanying particulate debris (also of mold origin e.g. mold spores and cell fragments), that cause the majority of health problems including allergic reactions in humans.

Dr. Charlene Bayer, from the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Indoor Environment Research Program stated:

“As molds and fungi grow, they give off metabolic gasses that contain VOC emissions. Many of the volatile compounds produced are identical to those originating from solvent-based building materials and cleaning supplies. These VOCs include hexane, ethylene chloride, benzene andacetone … The microbial VOCs may contribute heavily to the overall level of ambient VOCs in buildings.”

The Hydroxyl Generator System interferes with mold living conditions.

Food source: By sterilizing the ambient air Hydroxyl generators break the food chain of mold strains that feed on airborne microorganisms or loose organic materials (such as dust mite feces, fibers, dead skin cells and generally, bacteria and their bio-films). The airborne hydroxyls also appear to disrupt the chemical composition of the molds’ external digestive enzymes. Fungal cells exude these toxic enzymes that attack the cellular structure of food and reduce it to a fluid that is absorbed by the mold cell wall. More study is required to definitively prove these claims.

Ambient: On its own, or in combination with complementary restoration equipment, such as air blowers and injectors, Hydroxyl generators interfere with conditions that promote mold growth. Some conditions that Hydroxyl generators disrupt include moisture, temperature and stagnation by the effect of air movement and drying.

Reproduction: Airborne spores are zapped directly as they are processed through the hydroxyl generator refractive tunnel. This interferes with molds’ most effective mode of multiplication. Inert spores however, may still hold potential for allergic/irritating affects. This means that for optimal protection the use of filters after hydroxyl treatment may be in order to trap the offending particulate.

Mycotoxins: mVOCs and their related musty odors are broken down by photo-catalytic oxidation of their molecules, under this effect of the hydroxyl process. Hydroxyl generators produce a stream of oxidizing, short-lived (negative) -OH molecules.

The life and reproductive cycle of simple organisms is short. Mold can turn a clean water release into polluted water in days if left unchecked. This same short life cycle also means that if you withhold ideal growing conditions, you will increase your chances of quickly stunting mold proliferation. To achieve initial mold and mold spore mortality, we recommend four to five days of continuous generator operation.

Standard restoration work still has to proceed, for the physical removal of the dead mold. Other work may be required to eliminate the source of the problem (say the original water leak). Once the hydroxyl treatment and cleaning is complete, the building will be fine for as long as NO NEW CONTAMINATION is brought into the building. If there is a high likelihood of recurrence, a permanent hydroxyl generator air-decontamination solution should be installed.

IS THE HYDROXYL GENERATOR SOME KIND OF “SILVER BULLET” SOLUTION?

No equipment can solve 100% of air quality issues. The level of success with hydroxyl air treatment will vary according to local circumstances. Standard cleaning techniques may be required in some cases to complete the task at hand. Furthermore, normal procedural precautions should be maintained. For example, when bringing down a wall, please remember that mold spores, even when inert, conserve toxicity and allergic capacities.

HOW LONG SHOULD HYDROXYL GENERATORS STAY ACTIVE AT THE JOB SITE IN ODER TO BE ASSURED THAT THE DECONTAMINATION CYCLE HAS BEEN COMPLETED?

For optimal results, Hydroxyl generators need to be present on the job site as early as possible. We recommend four to five days of generator operation. We further recommend the use of more than a single generator per job. To further assist you, use auxiliary equipment, such as air injectors (for walls) or extra air movers; always reduce or remove the contaminant source as soon as possible.