Sharp Air Purifier Review – Plasmacluster Ion Technology Efficacy

Tiny yet power-packed, a little dynamo resides at the core of Plasmacluster Ion technology. Our Sharp air purifier review continues with a focus on the intense high concentration Plasmacluster Ion generator. Whilst it measures only 57mm by 28.5mm by 15.5mm, this generator is responsible for the reactive agents, without which the air purifier is worthless.

Plasmacluster Ion Technology Overview

Plasma is produced when negative and positive voltages are administered to the discharge electrodes in the Plasmacluster Ion generator. After solid, liquid and gas, the three commonly known states of matter, there is a fourth, plasma. It is a partially ionized gas-like state wherein some electrons are free and not bound to an atom or molecule. The plasma contains natural water molecules which are disintegrated into positive hydrogen ions and negative oxygen ions. Plasmacluster Ions, stable and distinguishable, are created when water molecules in the room air surround the oxygen ions and hydrogen ions in clusters. Ultra reactive and extremely unstable hydroxyl radicals are created as soon as Plasmacluster Ions come into contact with any pathogens. With such volatile characteristics, the hydroxyl radicals rapidly bond with hydrogen atoms that are constituent parts of pathogen surface membrane. The result; a disabled pathogen and a harmless by-product, water. The perfect scenario! But is it real?

Plasmacluster Ion – Fact or Science Fiction?

A serious Sharp air purifier review should not ignore the insecapable question – are Plasmacluster Ions fiction or scientific fact? Plasmacluster Ions, like many other emerging nanotechnology products, are totally invisible to the human eye. Compounding the issue, the individuals who use air purifiers have no means to validate the claims. There is really no choice but to depend on reported results of experiments with Plasmacluster Ions. Efficiency tests (in real-life locations) and efficacy tests (in laboratory conditions) are the 2 usual testing methods.

An established corporate player with a long track record of successes, Sharp has anticipated these concerns. Developed almost into an art by Sharp is the concept of academic marketing. In association with leading academic institutions, Sharp puts its claims for Plasmacluster Ions to the test by scientists. The data forms the basis of new products introduced to the market. Sharp has fine-tuned the definition of effectiveness into efficacy and efficiency. The years between 2000 and July 2009 has seen Sharp focusing on efficacy testing. It has begun and is developing efficiency testing with end users of Plasmacluster Ion technology.

Plasmacluster Ion – Authentication at Cellular Level

Seeking further for the purpose of this Sharp air purifier review, we believe that it is Sharp's strategy to focus on efficacy and efficiency testing to become the leader. On 17 November 2004, Sharp announced the results of studies by Professor Gerhard Artmann of the Department of Cell Biophysics and Bioengineering, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Through the use of an electron microscope, Professor Artmann (a cellular engineering expert) verified that Plasmacluster Ions damaged more than 60 proteins on the surface cell membranes of pathogens leading to inactivation of both viruses and bacteria.

A very significant result indicated that Plasmacluster Ions will not pierce the pathogens' cell membranes to reach the core cell DNA. As DNA destruction is not relied upon to inactivate pathogens, unlike some other competing air purification technologies, a clear advantage is claimed. Clearly, the danger of cancer from DNA destruction is also being alluded to with regard to other air purification technologies .

Plasmacluster Ion – Efficacy Tests

This current Sharp air purifier review spotlights the efficacy tests on pathogens conducted by various organizations on behalf of Sharp. The efficacy of Plasmacluster Ions has been established through tests held from September 2000 to July 2009 which showed that 28 types of virulent microorganisms were totally destroyed. The most significant of pathogens are the deadly SARS virus, the virulent H5N1 avian flu virus, an earlier variant of the H1N1 virus which re-surfaced in Mexico in 2009 and MRSA, the notorious bacterium responsible for difficult-to-treat infections in hospital patients.

The polio virus and the coxsackie virus which causes the common cold are also destroyed by Plasmacluster Ions. Also exterminated are escherichia coli, micrococcus, bacillus subtilis, white staphylococcus, pseudomonas, enterococcus, sarcina, candida and serrata bacterium. Allergens, pollen, mites, have also been effectively eradicated together with fungi like aspergillus, alternaria, cladosporium, mucor, penicillium and stachybotrys.

Organizations which worked with Sharp included the following:

- Harvard School of Public Health, USA

- Retroscreen Virology, Ltd,London, UK

- Asthma Society of Canada

- University of Lübeck, Germany

- CT&T, Aachen University of Applied Science, Germany

- Seoul University, Korea

- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China

- Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan

- Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan

- Kitasato Institute, Medical Center Hospital, Japan

- Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Japan

The last reported efficacy test was reported on 27 July 2009 involving the Osaka City University Medical School validating the inhibitory power of Plasmacluster Ions on allergic reactions caused by mite allergens or mite dust (mite feces and dead mites).

To summarize our Sharp air purifier review in relation to efficacy testing, we emphasize the OECD GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) status of the testing organizations as this accords dependability to the test results. GLP status has to be renewed every 3 years. This is an important factor that is often ignored by critics of air purification technologies and academic marketing. Another crucial fact is that it is definitely possible for the work of a GLP laboratory to be peer reviewed scientifically. The much-vaunted scientific peer review is the last frontier to be conquered before the world will change its perceptions of the air purification industry and with it, Sharp's Plasmacluster Ion technology!

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