The Need for Bacterial / Viral and Fungal Control:
Recent advances in medical science, sanitation and hygiene, aided by better nutrition, have dramatically improved health and extended life expectancy by reducing the burden of infectious diseases.

Although the levels of infectious diseases have, indeed, been reduced, such diseases are still the major cause of sufferings and a heavy drain on resources of health services throughout the world. The emergence of new pathogens, and strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotic treatment, greater international mobility, globalization of food supplies, the aging population and many other factors are bringing new challenges for infectious disease control. The contribution of good hygiene practices throughout our community, such as hospitals and food production areas, in public places, schools and now, in the home, is inevitable. Much of the infectious diseases are spread in the home and good hygiene practices can help in preventing the spreading. Hygiene in the home is, therefore very important.

Clearly, there is a continuous need for appropriate hygiene practices for the reduction of risks at home and especially outdoors.

Three types of microorganisms:

VIRUS

Viruses straddle the fence between living and non-living things. They are totally inert, being as alive as a rock. However once they come into contact with a suitable host such as plant, animal or bacterial cell, they become active, infect and take over the cell.

Viruses can be found in every material and environment on Earth from soil to water to air. They evolved to infect every form of life, from animal to plant and from fungi to bacteria. Viruses are the smallest infectious particles that cause a number of diseases including smallpox, the common cold, chickenpox, influenza, dengue, hemorrhagic fever, shingles, herpes, polio, rabies, Ebola, hanta fever, hepatitis B, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

BACTERIA

Bacteria are living cells that are larger than viruses. Their sizes range from 0.5 – 5.0um, some are even known to grow above 0.5mm. Bacteria can be found in food, soil, air, water and even within the bodies of animals especially in the intestines and skin.

The role of bacteria in disease and infection is important. Some bacteria are pathogenic and cause tetanus, typhoid fever, pneumonia, syphilis, cholera, foodborne illness and tuberculosis. Streptococcus, staphylococcus, or many gram-negative bacteria cause infection of the blood. The mode of infection is through contact, air, food, water, and insects.

FUNGI

Fungi are the great decomposers of the world (along with some help from the bacteria). Examples are mushrooms, rusts, smuts, puffballs, truffles, morels, molds, and yeasts, as well as many less well-known organisms.

Fungi cause a number of plant and animal diseases. Examples of human diseases are ringworm, athlete's foot, and several more serious diseases.

One of the most common species of fungi is Aspergillus niger They are a ubiquitous group of filamentous fungi that are commonly isolated from soil, plant debris, and indoor air environments. Commonly found on textiles, in soils, grains, fruits, and vegetables. They are responsible for black molds and mildews in homes.

Aspergillus niger gives off neurotoxic gases that can cause: allergies and worsening of reactions, asthma and asthmatic-like symptoms, headaches, fatigue, sleep problems, depression and irritability.

Removes unpleasant smelling substances such as those from cigarette smoke, lavatory, fish, garlic and onions by binding them chemically or by encapsulation.

Most malodour molecules contain chemically reactive functional groups e.g. amines (like nicotine in cigarette smoke), thio compounds (allicin in garlic and onions) or acids (isovaleric acid in human sweat) that lead to odour-active gaseous materials. The Malodour Remover system selectively binds these entities, ensuring the non-release of the bad odour molecules