CASE STUDY
LABORATORY REPORT NO: 20040617

An alternative preparation, in liquid form was prepared, and has been used at the test site for 3 weeks. The results are extremely encouraging and appear to indicate that the Melaklean industrial strength preparation is a low cost solution to work place in situ sanitation requirements. This report consolidates results for 3 weeks of testing.

Introduction

Melaklean’s aim in this trial is to try and aid what happens in a modern building which houses a multitude of occupants, where the very nature of the occupancy and of the building’s ambient control system aids the potential spread of microbial contamination.

Melaklean has been formulated with a combination of additives that provides both gram positive and gram negative bacteriostat activity. This preparation has been tested extensively and found to inhibit the growth of a large variety of mould and spores.

The product developed by Melaklean needs to be delivered in a diffusion room which moves air at a rate close to 3000 litres per second.

The task of keeping clean an air handling environment is made difficult by the fact that micro-organisms can collect and grow in the ducting of an air conditioning system, therefore ensuring the system itself spreads the micro-organism into the air quite efficiently. Note here that spreading of infections does not rely on air conditioning systems; there is plenty of documentary evidence showing mechanisms of infection spread where air conditioning does not exist.

How does it work?

The Melaklean product relies on air contact time. There is a large amount of dust build up inside the ducts and outside the coils of an air conditioning unit, and this dust acts as a carrier for the mould and microbial spores. By allowing the ingredients of Melaklean to evaporate and become mixed with the air stream the same way as dust and microbes do, we also encourage contact time as the Melaklean sol also deposits on the dust particles and thus comes in contact with the mould or microbes. From there Melaklean is able to inhibit growth of the organisms.

Test Method

The test protocol is straightforward.

1. Identify test location/s in building. Choose from any of the following locations:
1. Under selected air conditioning vents
2. Next to return air grilles
3. On top of furniture that receives lots of use, eg lunch room table.
4. Across high traffic doorways.
2. Using Air sampling instrument, take “Before Treatment” readings
3. Install Melaklean dosing system, industrial strength liquid form in fan room.
4. Determine re-test frequency and organise access to site to repeat the measuring sequence in the locations selected. Return at weekly intervals or sooner if needed (Consult with client).
5. Note: all test strips to be labelled and dated accurately, before being placed in incubation oven.
6. Report results using report sheet

There is a spike in area 2 on the 4th week measurement. Note book reports there was human traffic whilst measurement being taken, with person in particular having a good look at instrument from very close proximity.

Discussion/Conclusion

This test site is challenging because of the wide variety of occupancy it receives. The third floor in this building provides office facilities, on an open plan, to about 80-90 people, including eating facilities, washing facilities and personal amenities. As a result the building ambient control system (air-conditioning) is constantly being exposed to a variety of airborne contaminants.

Variations to factors such as moisture levels and dust ingress will determine how slowly microbial and fungal spores develop inside the ducting of air conditioning systems. These are practically impossible to remove by physical means.

This trial of Melaklean liquid solution has proved the following

1. The Before Treatment results above clearly showed that current maintenance regime still left bio-burden build up in the air-conditioning system. This is no surprise as it is difficult to go inside the ducting to physically clean it.
2. The product lasted over 4 weeks. The current usage shows one dosage will last for 5-6 weeks
3. The circulating air in an air conditioned environment can be adequately treated for general bio-burden contamination by using Melaklean. Results clearly show a decrease range of 50-90% in the level of microbial contaminants

Summary of Anti-Microbial / Anti-Fungal Performance for Melaklean Sanitizer

The following tests are presented as evidence the Melaklean product works. Efficacy and speed of performance varies depending on the particular environment being treated, and it is best to use Melaklean as a general purpose sanitizer product. Melaklean is designed to help maintain compliance to AS3666, not to replace regular yearly physical cleaning of air handling systems.