Sharp's Improved Air-Cleaning Tech Kills 99.9 Pct of Airborne H5N1

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Sharp Corp. <6753> said
Wednesday it has confirmed that its improved air purification technology almost completely destroys the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus in the air.

The Japanese electronics maker enhanced its Plasmacluster Ions
technology through a joint project with a company founded by University of
London Prof. John Oxford, a noted virologist.
Sharp and the professor's firm, Retroscreen Virology Ltd.,
demonstrated that the ions deactivate and eliminate the airborne H5N1 avian
influenza virus by 99.9 pct in 10 minutes by increasing the concentration of
ions to 50,000 ions per cubic centimeter.
Sharp said it hopes to develop air-purifying equipment, air
conditioners and other new products using the newly enhanced technology.
Under the technology, positive and negative ions are released into
the air simultaneously. The ions recombine on the surfaces of viruses,
bacteria and allergens, triggering a chemical reaction that decomposes
protein on their surfaces and make the pathogens inactive.
Details of the findings will be presented at BirdFlu 2008: Avian
Influenza and Human Health, the first international bird flu conference. The
event will take place in Britain on Sept. 10.


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