HKPC's Environmental Technologies Minimize the Risk of the Spread of Infectious Disease

In response to the community's concern over the risk of the spread of infectious disease, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has developed various environmental technologies.

Using advanced bacteria/virus control technologies, HKPC's Environmental Management team has developed the Toilet Waste Disinfection System, Indoor Air Disinfection System, Microwave Air Purification Technology and Radiofrequency (RF) Plasma Air Purification Technology.

Introducing the Toilet Waste Disinfection System, Mr Anthony Ma, Senior Consultant (Environmental Management) of HKPC, said, "This System can effectively reduce the risk of the spread of germs through the sewage system. Field testing in Princess Margaret Hospital showed that 99.999% of E. Coli in the raw sewage was killed within 5 seconds. At present, over 200 Systems have been installed in the isolation wards of Princess Margaret Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and Queen Elisabeth Hospital, with each System controlling up to 9 toilets in each ward. About 100 units of the more handy models will be installed at the soon-to-be-completed infectious disease block in the Princess Margaret Hospital."

In addition, to tackle indoor air quality problems related to bacteria/virus contamination, HKPC has developed a range of air purification technologies. Mr Kenny Wong, Senior Consultant (Environmental Management) of HKPC, said, "The Indoor Air Disinfection System has been developed to effectively collect and kill bacteria/virus in ambient environment. Laboratory tests revealed that the disinfection efficiency of the System is over 95.2%. Handy and can be tailor-made according to different requirements, the System can be used in different indoor environment including offices, shopping malls, hospitals, clinics and production floors."

To further enhance bacteria/virus control efficiency for indoor air purification, with funding support from the Innovation and Technology Fund, HKPC has successfully developed the Microwave Air Purification Technology and RF Plasma Air Purification Technology.

According to Mr Raymond Fong, Principal Consultant (Environmental Management) of HKPC, these new technologies can be commercialized for the next generation of air purifiers. He said, "Both Technologies can effectively control the bacteria/virus level in indoor air. Our bacteria and virus tests proved that the disinfection efficiency of the Microwave Air Purification Technology reaches 80% for SARS and 99.9999% for Streptolococcus aureus, whereas the disinfection efficiency of RF Plasma Air Purification Technology for Influenza A is over 95%."

"These technologies are HKPC's latest initiatives to address the environmental management concerns of local businesses and the community at large. HKPC will collaborate with the private sector through technology transfer and product commercialization to bring more benefits to industry and the general public," Mr Fong added.

For further enquiry about HKPC's environmental management technologies, please contact Mr Raymond Fong at tel. (852) 2788 5678, or e-mail: rayfong@hkpc.org.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5895
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: justina@hkpc.org

HKPC
16 November 2005