Maintenance of kitchen drain lines, grease trops and fat interceptors is often forgotten and left until  problems arise, dealing with problems can be particularly difficult for hotels, restaurants, fast-food outlets, canteens, in-fact anywhere there is hot-kitchen-grease and fats can often build-up to such a level that regular, and often, expensive unblocking and pump-outs are required to maintain the integrity  of drainmage system.

However, these problems can easily be avoided. Scotmas biotechnology can be employed to keep drains fully operational, free following and free from the causes of umpleasant and persistent foul odours. 

 

The transmission of respiratory infections in indoor environments represents a major public health concern for which engineering alternatives are limited. Evidence for the dissemination of respiratory diseases inside buildings, and specifically by ventilation systems, is well known. Common technologies, such as HEPA filters and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), have proven less effective in real-world installations than in laboratory studies and have inherent limitations.

Air handling systems have been known for many years to be breeding grounds for mould, bacteria and spores. These microorganisms breed and multiply in industrial, commercial and residential air duct systems, and have been associated with health related illnesses. The most common types of mould are generally not hazardous to healthy individuals. However, people who have asthma, hay fever, or other allergies, or have weakened immune systems, are more likely to react to mould.

The most common symptoms are running nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma. A small percentage of the population can develop more serious effects such as fevers and breathing difficulties, but these effects are uncommon. Some types of mould can cause more serious health problems, but this is much more rare. Exposure to mould can occur when mouldy material becomes damaged or disturbed; spores can be released into the air. Exposure can occur if people inhale the spores or directly handle mould-containing material and accidentally ingest it.

Some moulds can produce chemicals called mycotoxins, which may cause illness in persons who are sensitive to them, or when persons are exposed to large amounts in the air. Stachybotrys chartum atra is an especially lethal mould that produces airborne toxins or mycotoxins that can cause serious breathing difficulties, memory and hearing loss, dizziness, flu like symptoms and bleeding in the lungs. 
 

But it is black mould that grows in damp areas of buildings in the presence of cellulose fibres that is increasingly being identified as a problem in the investigation of sick building syndrome. Symptoms associated with this mould include increased prevalence of eye, skin, and respiratory organ problems, and neurological impairments.

Indoor air quality is the by-product of a wide variety of physical, chemical and biological conditions and factors. Following many years of research into the function and interaction of various microorganisms in such environments, investigators have identified microorganisms as surpassing all other types of pollutants when evaluated as to their effect upon human productivity, comfort, health and general well being.

Within that area of concern, air filters have been identified as a prime breeding ground for many types of microorganisms due the surface area, nutrients, temperatures and the moisture that they provide for such microorganisms to survive and reproduce. Apart from the wide variety of nutrients that are captured as a component of the dirt itself, some filter mediums actually provide additional growth nutrients from the binding agents, surfactants, and finishing compounds used in the filter manufacturing process. Due to their micron level size most microorganisms, which develop under such conditions, pass through the filtering media and into the downstream environment.

In addition to direct contamination from the microbiological agent itself, secondary effects of odours, staining, irritation, sensitization, toxic response and various other illnesses can be caused by the many metabolic by-products, which are continuously released into the air stream. E-coli and other organisms that usually reside in animal intestines can also become airborne. Interestingly, it has been discovered these bacteria are more prevalent in urban areas than rural areas, perhaps because there's more sewage and refuse.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most pathogenic of the staphylococci; it forms large yellow colonies on rich medium at a temperature range from 15-45°C. It exists in air, dust, sewage, water, milk, and food – and will commonly colonize human hair, skin and mucous membranes, especially in the throat and nasal passages.
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Hysan applications in HVAC Systems
Ductwork disinfection with Hysan will provide a level of hygiene within a ductwork system that may not have been achieved since the original installation of the ductwork system. As a sanitizing solution Hysan will destroy moulds, bacteria and spores, and maintain an environment that is safe and non-toxic to our health - it is extremely effective against common microorganisms associated with HVAC ductwork systems.

 

Hysan is based on a unique, and patented, broad-spectrum disinfectant combining the sanitising powers of Stabilised Chlorine Dioxide with a Germicidal di Alkyl quaternary ammonium chloride. The disinfecting effect of this combination is synergistic (i.e. the measured effect is greater than the sum of the individual effects).

 

It’s a non toxic formulation, which is proven less sensitising and less irritating than many of the traditional sanitising formulations currently available. Hysan is Sporicidal, Bactericidal, Virucidal and Fungicidal, and is effective against Salmonella, E-coli 0157, Staphylococcus, and MRSA.

 

There are many products that can sanitise or eliminate odours; however, these are usually organically based and can leave residues in the HVAC ductwork system that may cause more severe health effects than the microorganisms themselves. Most pathogens can develop mutant strains that are resistant to these organically based sanitizers. Some products that claim to eliminate odours use masking agents that simply hide the odour - HYSAN will eliminate odours at the source by chemical oxidation. It is safe and easy to use, and can be easily applied by specialist ductwork hygiene Companies.

 

Hysan in humidifiers
The drive to achieve optimum environmental conditions within buildings, has led to an increase in the number of humidifiers, which can be used, very successfully, to improve air quality. Substantial benefits have been obtained by the operation of well-maintained humidifier systems. These benefits include a reduction in absenteeism amongst employees and a general improvement in the health of bronchial and asthmatic sufferers. However these benefits are short lived unless the system is kept in first class condition. Whilst the air used in the humidifiers is normally 'conditioned', little attention has been paid to the water supplied to them. The water used may be contaminated, resulting in a build-up of biofouling in the humidifier. This biofouling will provide an excellent breeding ground for additional pathogens to breed and breakout into the system. Continuous dosing with Hysan can be performed to restrict the build-up of pathogens circulating in the air, and remove biofouling from the system.