contributes to productivity, comfort and a sense of health and
wellbeing. In a healthy setting, the indoor air is free from
significant levels of odors, dust and contaminants, and
circulates to prevent stuffiness.
The indoor environment in any building is a
result of the interaction between the site, climate, building
system (original design and later modifications to the structure
and mechanical systems), construction techniques, contaminant
sources (building materials and furnishings, moisture, processes
and activities within the
building, and outdoor sources), and building occupants.
The EPA says that good indoor air quality
enhances occupant health, is an important component of a healthy
indoor environment, and must include control of airborne
contaminants and bacteria.
A single indoor air pollutant or problem can
trigger different reactions in different people. Symptoms
commonly attributed to poor IAQ problems include headache,
fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, cough, sneezing,
eye, nose, and throat irritation, skin irritation, dizziness and
nausea.
When these symptoms are present or poor indoor
air is confirmed, actions must be taken by building management
to mitigate it. However, perception is reality, and if malodors
make building occupants question the quality of the indoor air,
building owners and managers must react, even if there are no
other signs of poor IAQ.
“What smells clean is clean, even when it
isn’t,” said Larry Glazer, VP of sales for the Waterbury
Companies, Inc., manufacturer of the EPA-registered Air
Sanitizer Metered Aerosol.
“There
is a perception of cleanliness,” he said, “and unavoidable odors
can make clean restrooms appear unclean. Perception is
everything; perception is reality.”
For years, Glazer has been involved in odor
control management, and his company produces an aerosol made up
of glycols and quaternary ammonia that reduces airborne bacteria
and kills germs. Though there have been no guidelines for
testing by the government on specific applications for things
like staff infection and tuberculosis, Waterbury’s aerosol air
sanitizer is EPA registered, and can make claims of killing
airborne bacteria.
Glazer said such qualities make it attractive to
healthcare facilities, hospitals and other buildings that seek
better health and wellness for their visitors and employees.
When a sick person sneezes or coughs, germs and
numerous different bacteria can be spread through the air, so
air sanitizers are appropriate everywhere from the restroom to
the corporate boardroom.
The same dispensing system with a different
aerosol can be used to disperse insecticides in kitchens,
storage areas and around dumpsters, or any space that may need
flying insect control. The most common use of these dispensing
systems is for metered air freshening to attack malodors in
public restrooms. These aerosols contain natural oils and
perfumes to remove malodors. They do not kill bacteria like the
Air Sanitizer, but they do break up the odor molecules in the
air to leave a nice, clean fragrance.
When bacteria needs to be eliminated, an
aerosolized sanitizer can be sprayed in the air from a
wall-mounted, timed dispenser covering a 6,000 cubic foot area,
20 x 30 with a 10-foot ceiling. Once aerosolized, the sanitizer
detects bacteria and odor molecules, penetrates and breaks them
up, causing them to fall out of the air.
The battery powered, digitally programmed
dispenser goes on a wall approximately 7 feet high. When
sprayed, the aerosol particles are evaporated in the air; you
can smell the product, but you can’t feel it.
“The bacteria molecules are then penetrated and
neutralized,” said Glazer. This makes for a very pleasant and
safe environment for employees and visitors.
