Pseudomonas aeruginosa Research

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Research Report: Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Research Report: Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospitals
Research Report: What doctors can do about it

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Summary

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes diseases in animals and people alike. It is a common bacterium found in dirt and water, along with skin flora and environments around the world today. It can grow and survive in a wide array of environments from normal climates to extreme hypoxic climates, and it thrives once it begins to multiply. It does not need a natural environment as some bacteria require. An artificial environment that offers moisture and/or humidity is all it needs. Damaged tissue, cuts, abrasions and more play host to this bacterium. Inflammation and even sepsis are common symptoms in both humans and animals. Even worse, should the bacteria infect areas such as the urinary tract, one or both lungs, or the kidneys it can rapidly become a fatal disease. Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses a host of substances for food, including hydrocarbons. This bacteria was recently used on purpose for oil spill clean-up, where it will actually break down the tarballs and the oil in the ocean. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has also been found in hot tubs, air conditioning coils (in the HVAC system) and more.

The environmental atmosphere of a hospital is not a whole lot different when compared to a common home environment. Although hospitals are very susceptible to this bacterium, so are homes and all HVAC systems. Inside the HVAC system is what's called an evaporator coil (on systems with air conditioning). This coil carries freon which is low temperature. When the air conditioner is on the coil becomes cold. Warm air passes through the coil, is chilled, and travels through the air ducts to the rooms, thus cooling down the air. When this room temperature air cycles through the HVAC system and passes through this coil condensation develops, which in simple terms is water. Under the coil is a pan which collects the water as it drips down and from there a small drain, usually white PVC pipe, carries the water to a floor drain, slop sink, etc. With all this moisture this area becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, even mold. As the system operates these pathogens become airborne and travel through the air stream, into the rooms, looking for a new host (us) to infect.

Hospitals, namely surgeons, should ensure the evaporator coils are crystal clean at all times during times of air conditioning operation to reduce the chance of infection during surgical procedures when it comes to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a noscocomial pathogen, since damaged tissue is a strong target of this bacteria, as it is with many other pathogens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common causes of noscocomial infection with numbers just above 10% of all hospital or medical facility related infections.

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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that 4 patients out of every 1,000 who are discharged from a hospital become infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. With millions of people discharged from hospitals around the world everyday this bacteria has no trouble surviving and continuing to thrive. One of the best known ways to kill bacteria, viruses and mold which make the HVAC evaporator coil their home is to use high powered UV lights with a wavelength of 253.7 to 254 nanometers (the UVC band). This germicidal wavelength of light is extremely deady to pathogens growing in drip pans, on the coils, and even in the cycling air. CaluTech UV manufactures lights that can reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of this bacteria spreading, along with a host of others. Used in hospitals, clinics, military installations, homes, commercial buildings and more, the CaluTech brand has become well known throughout many countries and even international waters where oil rigs commonly use CaluTech products including BP and Amerada-Hess oil rigs and oil mining facilities in the Gulf, in South Africa and beyond.

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Introduction to Ultraviolet Light

The sun generates ultraviolet rays-these rays are nature’s air purifier. When sunlight passes through a prism it is broken into its component colors, thus giving it the colors of a rainbow. Each color, in turn, has its own wavelengths. Ultraviolet light has four specific wavelengths that have particular applications:

UV-A is the source of suntanned skin-with its relatively longer wavelength, can penetrate the atmosphere. Applications include tanning beds and treatment of skin diseases.
UV-B is in the middle wavelength of the ultraviolet spectrum and has been used to treat skin diseases, principally.
Shortwave UV Energy is primarily used as a sterilizer and can be generated by specially designed UV lamps.
UV-C, or shortwave ultraviolet radiation, is used to destroy bacteria and other biological contaminants in the air, in liquids, food, or on surfaces.
UV-V is the type of germicidal UV to stay away from, that's a combination of UV & ozone. UVA, UVB and UVC are the main wavelengths of UV light, but UVV is the term used for UV & ozone.

Ultraviolet Light and Microorganisms

Ultraviolet rays with a UV-C wavelength will destroy pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, mold, and mildew. This component of sunlight is the main reason that microorganisms die in outdoor air. The UV-C rays break through the outer membrane of microbes like yeast, mold, bacteria, viruses, or algae. When the radiation reaches the DNA of the microbe, it causes modifications. The DNA then transmits incorrect codes and this causes the death of the microbe.

Ultraviolet germicidal lamps provide a much more powerful and concentrated effect of ultraviolet energy than can be found naturally. Such lamps sanitize air that is passed directly in their path to destroy pathogens that come in contact with the UV rays. Musty, moldy type odors can be eradicated, along with tuberculosis, cold and flu viruses, smallpox, anthrax, and other airborne diseases. This system is particularly beneficial to those suffering from allergies-common allergens are molds, mildews, and fungi. These microbes would be destroyed, improving the health of the allergy sufferer.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation has been studied for over a century and has been used to destroy the same microbes that cause indoor air pollution. For many years the medical industry has used UV light to sanitize rooms and equipment. The Centers for Disease Control recommend UV lamps for their germicidal effect.

Table 1 on the home page of our website shows the UV energy output needed to destroy various microbes. Keep in mind that our Blue UV system provides upwards of 24,000 microwatts of UV energy-enough to eradicate most any pathogen, including colds, flu, smallpox, anthrax, molds, e coli, Legionnaires Disease, salmonella, staph, and many more. Our high output 'Blueray' produces 36/40,000. Higher amounts can be achieved through one of our custom made systems, we make them for homes, offices, etc.

The CaluTech air purifiers are a superior UV air purifier.
The UV lamps are so efficient that once all air in the building has passed this system an average 98% of microorganisms are destroyed. And the cycle continues…namely, when all the air in the building is cleaned a second time, 98% of the remaining microorganisms are destroyed (this is 98% of the 2% that were remaining from the first time). And so it continues…

Right now, any home or building with forced air heating and/or cooling can utilize our system. Anyone with rudimentary home improvement skills can install this system in their house or condominium in about 10 minutes. To do this, 2 holes are made in the ductwork of your ventilation system using our stick-on template and a hole saw. The UV air purifier light bulbs are slid into the holes and 4 quick-remove screws hold the UV light's power unit in place on the outside of the air duct. Next, you just plug it in. Alternatively, a heating and air conditioning serviceman can install it for you. For more information on installation visit our FAQ page (installation info is towards the bottom of the FAQ page).

Maintenance is minimal. The UV lamps should be kept as dust-free as possible to ensure their maximum effectiveness. This is easily accomplished by regular changings of the air filter which should be done anyway. The UV lamps should ideally be replaced every 12 months for maximum effectiveness. They can, however, be used for up to three years with less efficiency, but this is not recommended. Replacement UV lamps are available from CaluTech, and can be purchased right here at the CaluTech website. Replacement UV lamps are also readily available at lighting stores nationwide. UV lamps are included with the UV air purifiers.

Larger existing buildings can easily be retrofitted with these units as well. Thus, any building with a forced air system can enjoy pathogen-free and allergen-free air. If you're a homeowner and your home is over 10,000 Sq. Ft., please call us for a custom UV air purifier, the cost is generally close to the standard units. If your home or business is 200 to 10,000 Sq. Ft., the UV air purifiers sold on this website produces enough UV light for you already.