Executive Summary

Kansas State University Testing

Biological Reduction through Photocatalysis and Ozone

 

Summary:

 

Testing has been performed at the Kansas State Food Science Institute in the Department of Animal Sciences & Industry, Kansas State University in Manhattan Kansas under the direction of Dr. James Marsden, Regent's Distinguished Professor of Meat Science.  Kansas State is of America’s foremost Universities for animal science and Dr. Marsden is known around the world as one of the top researchers and experts in food safety.

 

Ten of the most deadly forms of mold, fungi, bacteria and virus were subjected to a new and innovative Photocatalytic Reactor called Radiant Catalytic Ionization (RCI).  These ten organisms were placed on a piece of stainless steel inside a test chamber and the RCI cell was turned on for 24 hours.  Test results showed a 24-hour reduction ranging from 96.4% to 100%. 

 

This testing validates the effectiveness and speed which RCI is able to treat the indoor environment using a natural process at safe levels of oxidation.

 

 Discussion:

 

With most indoor airborne contaminants originating on surfaces, any efforts to control biological contamination in the indoor environment must address surfaces.  Microorganisms such as Mold, Bacteria and Viruses thrive on surfaces in the presence of moisture, and for this reason the food industry has focused on controlling and eliminating pathogens in food contact areas.

 

Dr. Marsden has dedicated his life to improving food safety through understanding and controlling the spread of biological contamination.  Marsden’s research has recently focused on the use of advanced photocatalysis, a technology which develops oxidizers which actively reduce airborne and surface pathogens.

 

Ten microorganisms were chosen for analysis.  Three samples of each microorganism were prepared and placed on a stainless steel surface, allowing analysis at 2 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours of exposure.  The test organisms included:

•         Staph (Staphylococcus aureus)

•         MRSA (Methycillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

•         E-Coli (Escherichia coli)

•         Anthrax family (Bacillus spp.)

•         Strep (Streptococcus spp.)

•         Pseudomonas aureuginos

•         Listeria monocytogenes

•         Candida albicans

•         Black Mold (Stachybotrys chartarum)

•         Avian Influenza H5N8

 

These organisms were subjected to air which was circulating through a proprietary photo catalytic reactor called Radiant Catalytic Ionization or RCI.  Multiple parameters were monitored including temperature and humidity.  The UV Lamp in the photo catalytic cell was positioned in the supply duct to insure there was no effect from the UVGI produced by the lamp.  Understanding that Ozone is one of the oxidizers produced in this Photocatalytic process and the health concerns from exposure to excessive levels of ozone, the ozone level was monitored and never exceeded 20 parts per billion, well below EPA maximum level for continuous exposure.

 

In addition to the test chamber treated with RCI and the corona discharge ozone generator, a control chamber was set up to account for natural decay of the test organisms.  Because some biological pathogens die-off on their own when exposed to air, any reputable study must account for such reductions.  The test results shown in the report are the reductions in viable organisms with respect to the control sample.

 

The test results were astounding.  After 24 hours of exposure the nine organism’s viability was reduced between 96.4% and 100%.  It should be noted that the double blind study accounted for natural decay.  What was even more surprising to the researchers was how fast RCI reduced the pathogens.  At the 2-hour sample the average reduction was well over 80%.  At the 6-hour sample the average reduction was well over 90%.

 

An additional test was performed using a corona discharge ozone generator (Breeze AT) against Candida albicans at 50 parts per billion (the level deemed safe by the US EPA, OSHA and other international health & safety organizations).  This test showed the ability of safe levels of ozone to reduce microbial contamination.  It should be noted that although results showed the effectiveness of this safe level of ozone, it also showed that ozone alone is not as effective as the multiple oxidizers produced by the advanced Photocatalytic Oxidation device called RCI.  One of the multiple oxidizers RCI produces is ozone but at an ozone level two to five times lower than using ozone alone.

 

This test report has been peer reviewed and is now scheduled for publication.