The air sent through ventilation systems contains large amounts of microorganisms. For this reason, sterility in ventilation installations is a necessary condition for maintaining good living conditions in buildings and stopping the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. Ventilation ducts forming an extensive network are characterized by a highly developed internal surface. This provides excellent conditions for the development of microorganisms and the formation of biofilm. This happens because despite the use of filters in air handling units, microorganisms get into the ducts. Additionally, despite the impression of smoothness of the internal surface of ventilation ducts, in fact it is porous, ideal for colonization by microorganisms and the formation of biofilm, consequently posing a great threat to people.
Microorganisms form organized communities which, as colonies develop, become resistant to environmental conditions and most chemical biocidal substances. Microorganisms have the ability to adhere to each other, as well as to natural and artificial solid surfaces, including ventilation ducts - creating a biofilm. Ventilation installations covered with biofilm are much more easily infected with pathogens, e.g. Legionella pneumophila - a bacterium causing a respiratory disease called legionellosis. Pathogen cells can also cause many other diseases, including diseases that weaken the body's immune system, which may facilitate viral infections such as influenza or COVID-19.
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The most effective and completely safe method of preventing contamination of the internal surfaces of ventilation ducts is its functionalization in the production process using natural substances that inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
In order to develop a material with full microbiological protection, InGremio, with the help of several research centers, conducted a research project lasting one and a half years. As a result, in 2020 the composition of the composition of microbiologically active materials was determined, which currently includes, among others: metallic silver, metallic copper and other microbiologically active substances. It should be noted that all materials used are synthesized in a strictly defined manner. The obtained antimicrobial properties, directed against a wide range of bacteria and fungi, allow for the physical elimination of cells contaminating the surface and reduce the risk of biofilm formation. The inner wall of ventilation ducts called AIRLEX SPECTRA is made of a new polymer. The practical lack of migration of active substances allows us to estimate the durability of microbiological protection for several dozen years at a constant level.
As part of the research, over 350 microbiological tests were performed, using various groups of microorganisms, including the following bacteria: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica; and fungi: Aspergillus brasiliensis, Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Penicillium expansum. The use of several microbiologically active compounds in practice eliminates the defense capabilities of microorganisms and their ability to become resistant to single substances.
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It should be noted that the inner layer of the cables has also been functionalized for antistatic properties, which reduces dust settling on its surface.
To sum up, the level of microbiological protection achieved in Airflex Spectra ventilation ducts is absolutely unique and superior to all previous products on the market. Polymers with microbiological protection developed by Ingremio are unique worldwide due to their effectiveness, therefore InGremio plans to use the developed solutions also in other product applications, including products intended for the medical market.
