Since the government-implemented lockdown in March, the Philippine workforce has had to continuously adapt. Most recently, in response to the possible airborne threat of the coronavirus as shared by the WHO (World Health Organization), stakeholders are looking for ways to ensure the safety of their employees, their clientele, and the general public in air-conditioned spaces that may otherwise act as a  COVID breeding ground.

With research showing that the virus can stay present in the air for prolonged periods of time, air purifiers have shifted from a privilege to a necessity. One such air purifier that has been scientifically proven to effectively neutralize the coronavirus is the AtmosAir.

A state-of-the-art air purification system, the AtmosAir uses oppositely charged ions attach itself to the virus, specifically the proteins on its surface. As a result, hydroxyl is formed, which then reverts the virus’ hydrogen back to water. What happens is this new watery state creates a hole in the virus. In this state, the virus can no longer infect, spread, or reproduce.

Tests performed by the Texas-based Microchem Laboratory confirmed that the presence of coronavirus was reduced by up to 99.92% within 30 minutes of exposure to AtmosAir's bi-polar ion technology. The testing replicated realistic conditions, exposing the virus to the concentration of ions within the range of what would be present in an occupied building.

“It is probably one of the most effective means of sanitizing or disinfecting the air in a continuous fashion,” said Dr. Philip Tierno Jr., professor of microbiology and pathology at the New York University School of Medicine. He further elaborated, “All coronaviruses attach to ACE-2 receptors on human cells by the Protein S spikes on their surface, and that is also the main target of the ions. Hence, all coronaviruses would be affected by the air ions in the same way and be inactivated and destroyed. It doesn’t matter what the strain of coronavirus is, they all succumb by the same mechanism.”

This solution is a marked contrast to the usual conduct of most air purification systems which passively wait for pollutants to find their way into a filter. AtmosAir’s technology, on the other hand, actively seeks out and deactivates viruses and other contaminants.   

Even before the pandemic, AtmosAir’s proactive approach of deploying ions into workspaces, stadiums, airports, and other habitations has been showing a 99% rate in removing inhalable particles and pathogens, including dust, allergens, airborne and surface bacteria, germs, and viruses. It can remove 90% of harmful volatile organic compounds, which are gases emitted from certain solids and liquids, as well as 95% of ultra-fine particulates

More than 7,500 properties across the globe are already utilizing AtmosAir’s air purifying systems. Prominent establishments like the Empire State Building, Google, JLL, Hilton, Marriott, and the Los Angeles International Airport are all satisfied customers. It is also installed in many high-profile stadiums including the homes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Dallas Cowboys, and New England Patriots.

“We look forward to collaborating with various companies, property owners, and government agencies to ensure that the indoor air in their respective establishments is as clean and as safe as can be,” said Michael Dargani, CEO of Ananta Industries, Inc., the exclusive Philippine distributor of AtmosAir.

In a country such as the Philippines, where air-conditioning is commonplace, the capabilities of the AtmosAir to ensure virus-free air should not just be applied for the workplace but even for schools, resorts, and recreational facilities.