Space-developed filter may help kill spores, clean sick indoor air

July 17, 2002

Jul 14, 10:24 PM

By Jump

FLORIDA TODAY

A filter designed to help plants grow in space may be produced commercially

to help kill the infectious spores that create sick buildings.

KES Science and Technology of Kennesaw, Ga., recently began manufacturing a

titanium and ultraviolet light system that company president Hayman Jr.

said is 99.9 percent effective in killing 71,750 spores with one air

circulation cycle.

" It certainly will work in sick-building syndrome. The black mold that

causes sick buildings is 50 times easier to kill than anthrax and this kills

anthrax, " he said.

But Hayman said his product doesn't replace remediation.

" You still have to remove the mold because spores will remain. But then you

can run our system 24-7 to keep reducing that number, " he said, which

reduces the chance someone will catch an illness.

Researchers from NASA and the University of Wisconsin invented the system to

prevent plants from dying before producing seeds by removing the ethelyene

gas.

Hayman said his company is just beginning to attend trade shows to sell the

product to municipalities. Already, it has been marketed to organic grocery

stores for use in their warehouses and for hospital operating rooms. It is

also sold to jails because it has been successful in killing tuberculins.

" We're still testing. It could be used in command centers for bioterrorism, "

he said.

Plans are to create a version about 3 feet long and oblong that could be

mounted on the ceiling to be used in hospitals and office buildings to

combat scores of microorganisms, including toxic mold.

Mark Nall, manager of the Space Product Development Program at NASA's

Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., said the product shows the

success of cooperative programs between NASA and private business.

He said there are 15 commercial space centers throughout the United States

" to provide development opportunities for commercial use. "

He said about 65 products are routinely in development at some stage from

the program. " About a half dozen or so go on the market each year, " he said.

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