Air Conditioning Syndrome™ (ACS™) in Our Modern Lives

Little do we realize that the quality of the air we breathe makes us susceptible to various allergens that can cause short-term and long-term health problems. An average person breathes about 10,000 litres of air per day. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), human beings spend as much as 90% of their time indoor and in most cases, condition the indoor air for “thermal comfort” by adjusting temperature and humidity via the Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.

In our tropical Malaysian climate, most of us work and spend a great portion of the day in offices that are fully air-conditioned. More homes today have installed air-conditioning units and almost every mode of transportation is air-conditioned. Even public areas, such as shopping malls, are being thermally controlled to adjust to a ‘people preferred’ temperature and humidity that provides comfort.

However, whether maintenance and proper periodic cleaning methods are carried out on the air-conditioning units is questionable. Methods of cleaning have not changed for the last 30 years, periodic cleaning with caustic chemicals and simple filtration are still being used. These have proven ineffective for removing bio aerosols (e.g. bacteria, moulds, fungi, viruses, pollen, dust mites, animal excreta etc.) and VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) from the indoor environment, resulting in contaminated air.

When living bioaerosols come in contact with the moisture and oxygen in the HVAC system; they grow, reproduce and contaminate the air supplied to building occupants. Breathing this contaminated air over a period of time results in various health issues such as conjunctivitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which comprise what is commonly known as “Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to one third of buildings worldwide suffer from indoor air pollution. Consequently, Indoor Air Quality-related issues rank among the top 5 global health concerns. A prominent group of international scientists and engineers now based in Malaysia have further characterized ACS™ or Air Conditioning Syndrome™, as the major component of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).

ACS™ is a serious health hazard and found globally but especially hazardous in tropical environment such as in Malaysia. It affects the health, well being, productivity and employment of all Malaysian citizens. An estimated 50% of the patients seen at a clinic in a month are diagnosed with some upper respiratory symptoms caused by SBS.

ACS™ is now defined as “A condition comprised of a set of disorders primarily affecting the respiratory system due to exposure to bioaerosols released from contaminated HVAC systems. These disorders include asthma, acute and chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, pneumonitis and other respiratory invasive conditions. Three primary causal agents in the tropics include Aspergillus, Penicillium and Cladosporium fungal species: the killer Troika.

An all natural and safe solution has been discovered in the form of an ingredient named BluOxy™. It is made of 100% plant-based extracts, and using a proprietary formula, BluOxy™ contains highly potent antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. “It is the result of 8 years of research and resulting evidence from using BluOxy™ application in building sanitization that lead to the discovery and establishment of Air Conditioning Syndrome™ (ACS™)” adds Dr. Alan Brandt, Chief Scientific Advisor of Kromos Living Science Sdn Bhd.

It is highly effective and successful in eliminating bacteria, fungi and viruses. It works in two ways, first, by interfering with the cellular membrane of the microbe resulting in a leakage of the cellular content.

Second, it also interferes with the respiration at the cellular level resulting in the death of the microbe.

Simply by spraying the solution into the air-intake vent of the air-conditioning units of homes, cars or offices, BluOxy™ eliminates dangerous bioaerosols. Even more exciting and comforting is that since BluOxy™ is an all natural solution, it can be safely inhaled when sprayed directly to the face and applied to the skin.

Recognized and approved by Malaysia’s Disease Control Division and New Zealand Food Safety Authority, BluOxy™ has been also tested and researched by Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) Malaysia, a United Nation accredited laboratory. It neutralizes odour caused by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), moulds and fungi. Furthermore, it has a toxin-free, alcohol-free and chemical-free formulation. Hence, BluOxy™ sanitizes and naturally deodorizes your living and working space.

The solution is revolutionary and so natural that it is currently being considered for use in hospitals, hotels and other buildings that use air-conditioning systems.