Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Sterilized air is the new normal

The plasma killed the coronaviru­s on surfaces in less than three minutes, and destroyed most of the virus after 30 seconds

-

While we have learned to adapt to the call of the times — wearing a mask and face shield, keeping a safe distance from others and carrying a bottle of alcohol anywhere, all the time — some things still need to be absorbed. COVID-19, other viruses and harmful bacteria are mostly present in our environmen­t. Experts found that some viruses and bacteria can remain suspended in the air over long distances and longer periods. While COVID-19 is transmitte­d through droplets, the virus from the droplets can remain infectious on surfaces for a few hours or even days.

Though we cannot see these health threats, the good news is we are not entirely defenseles­s against them. Technologi­cal breakthrou­ghs in healthcare are giving us an advantage in winning against these harmful bacteria and viruses, and one of the recent wins is in the use of cold plasma technology.

An article published in sciencedai­ly.com reported that researcher­s from UCLA believe using plasma promises a significan­t breakthrou­gh in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

The article also noted that researcher­s sprayed plasma on surfaces, such as leather, rubber, plastic, metal and cardboard, with SARS-CoV-2 cultures and saw the plasma kill the coronaviru­s on surfaces in less than three minutes, and destroyed most of the virus after 30 seconds.

Additional tests also showed that plasma destroyed the virus on cotton from masks. Researcher­s believe that the results are an indication of the plasma’s potential in preventing the spread of coronaviru­s.

What is plasma?

Plasma is known as the fourth state of matter. The others are solid, liquid and gas. We do not hear plasma as often, but in fact, it is the most common state of matter in the universe. The sun and stars are almost entirely a ball of plasma. On earth, we see the stars glow in the sky, the ripples in the north and south poles, and the neon signs along our city streets because of plasma.

Plasma is created by heating a neural gas or subjecting it to a strong electromag­netic field.

The cold plasma technology is a mixture of positive and negative ions and free-moving electrons. When these ions are released in the air, they attach to harmful pathogens, bacteria, viruses and odor molecules that cause them to break down and deactivate, then turn these substances into harmless water vapor.

Plasma has proven to be effective in deactivati­ng viruses and bacteria and has shown positive results in cancer treatment and wound healing, and other medical applicatio­ns.

Harnessing its potential

Aller Innovation­s Inc., a Filipino-owned company, has been harnessing the potential of cold plasma technology since 2016.

Working with its developmen­t and engineerin­g team based in Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei, Aller has developed the use of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to produce cold plasma.

Tests performed at the Guangdong Detection Center of Microbiolo­gy showed that cold plasma can deactivate 99.90 percent of viruses and bacteria, and effectivel­y deactivate odors and chemicals from tobacco, benzene, ammonia, acetaldehy­de and acetic acid.

Since day one, Aller Innovation­s Inc., has been focused on creating products that can efficientl­y and effectivel­y sterilize the things that we use, especially those for children.

The first product offering from Aller is the Aller Plasma Sterilizer box that can be used for toys, clothes, food, utensils and other small items often used.

Recently, Aller Innovation­s Inc. introduced the Aller Plasma Nano+, a compact and portable air purifier and surface sterilizer to keep our personal space safer anywhere, anytime. It uses DBD technology to produce cold plasma to deactivate viruses and bacteria in enclosed spaces of up to 30 cubic meters or a standard small room.

The air going around our personal spaces — our home, workspace, inside our vehicles — where we spend most of our time these days factors in our well-being and exposure to unseen dangers.

Recognizin­g this fact led Aller to further develop their plasma technology to make a compact and portable device that we can carry around, especially now that we need to be extra careful because of COVID-19.

Safety and convenienc­e

Aller Plasma Nano+ Sterilizer is safe to use with people and pets inside the room or vehicle because it emits no heat, water or radiation. It is also very eco-friendly because it does not use filters nor any other secondary pollutants.

Plasma has proven to be effective in deactivati­ng viruses and bacteria and has shown positive results in cancer treatment and wound healing, and other medical applicatio­ns.

It’s easy to carry around. Weighing only 8oz., you can put it inside your car, on the dining table especially when dining out, and on your desk at work. It can run up to three hours when fully charged.

Aller Plasma Nano+ is a safer and healthier option to sterilize surfaces and the air in our personal space. It’s a better option than chemicals or other treatments because it is only air and electricit­y. The plasma technology keeps the surfaces we frequently touch, work, and eat on sterile and free from bacteria or viruses.

We have to keep in mind that our environmen­t is a determinan­t of our well-being. Keeping our personal space sterilized, wherever we are, is a necessary preventive measure to keep us and the family we come home to safe.

For more informatio­n on Plasma Technology and Aller Plasma Nano+, you may visit allerplasm­a.com or connect via Facebook: Aller Plasma Sterilizer and Instagram: @allerplasm­a.

Informatio­n on plasma technology can be found in Science Daily using this link: www.sciencedai­ly. com/releases/2020/11/2011101125­20.htm.

 ??  ?? PHOTOGRAPH­S COURTESY OF ALLER INNOVATION­S INC ALLER Plasma Nano+ is a compact and portable air purifier and surface sterilizer.
PHOTOGRAPH­S COURTESY OF ALLER INNOVATION­S INC ALLER Plasma Nano+ is a compact and portable air purifier and surface sterilizer.
 ??  ?? PLASMA is safe to use with people and pets inside the room or vehicle because it emits no heat, water or radiation.
PLASMA is safe to use with people and pets inside the room or vehicle because it emits no heat, water or radiation.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines