Hitachi Clean Tube Test
Claims by Hitachi that its fluorescent ‘clean’ tubes can result in cleaner air have been verified in an independent test done in a leading Melbourne hospital.
The Hi-Lumic Clean tubes, which are coated in an optical catalyst film, work to break down organic substances and purify the air whenever they are switched on reducing the number of volatile organic compounds and bacteria in the air.
Comprehensive laboratory tests conducted by Korea Testing and Research Institute for Chemical Industry show significant reduction in number of bacteria and elimination of bad odours with Hitachi Clean Lamps.
“We wanted to see if we could replicate a similar result here,” said ANL Lighting Managing Director Eddy Awad.
These claims have been confirmed in a test commissioned by ANL Lighting, the Australian distributors for Hitachi lamps and carried out by Advanced Air Technologies.
Jordan Panayotov for AAT, said: “ In terms of air quality every door is a different story as different pollutants in different concentrations present in the air at specific premises.
“ Having in mind that, for example, there are more than 1000 volatile organic compounds and over 400 species of mould and fungi – the combinations of these pollutants are myriad. On top of this the concrete situation can be very different in different points of time at the same premises.
“ Conducting tests for everything is rather complicated, time consuming and very expensive. Therefore a feasible and cost-effective solution is to measure the total number of particles in the air. For this purpose we use Ultrafine Particle Counter P-Trak product from U.S. company TSI – world leader in air quality monitoring,” he said.
For the test only particles sizes between 1micron to 0.02 micron were measured. For comparison – human red blood cell is 7 micron.
Measuring the number of fine particles in the air in two separate tests (4/7 & 11/7/08) in two separate areas within the hospital – ground level and level one. Both cases included an inner corridor and adjacent rest room – readings were taken of the ambient air with the Hitachi Clean tubes and with conventional fluorescent tubes.
Data obtained in both tests using conventional lamps showed no difference in the number of fine particles in the air between the inner corridor and the adjacent rest room. Repeating the tests using Hitachi ‘Clean’ tubes showed a reduction in the number of fine particles which include volatile organic compounds and bacteria.
Tests showed that, although that there was difference in the number of fine particles measured in the air in the two dates (4/7 & 11/7/08), in both dates readings with Hitachi Clean lamps were down by about 25 % – from 13,800 – 14,200 (conventional tubes) to 10,800 – 11,200 (Hitachi) per cm3 (on 4/7/08); and from 13,200 – 13,800 (conventional tubes) to 9800 – 10,200 (Hitachi) per cm3 (on 11/7/08).
Designed to purify the air whenever the lamp is switched on, Hitachi Clean tubes are coated with a thin film of titanium oxide which works to breakdown bacteria and eliminate odours.
As well as breaking down organic substances, the optical catalyst film on the Hitachi tube also reduces smelly odours and smoke in food preparation areas and toilets.
ANL Lighting’s Eddy Awad: The Hitachi ‘clean’ tubes are very effective in not only providing efficient lighting but in all areas where people and business are concerned with reducing bacteria and unpleasant odours, thus providing cleaner environment.
“ Top of the list are hospitals and aged care facilities, medical rooms, schools and childcare centres – and into the hospitality industry, food industry, supermarkets, dining rooms, clubs,” he said.
