Concept of bacteria

New technology for the analysis of harmful particles (bacteria) in buildings and their liquidation

In 2000 in Sweden about 800 persons were temporarily removed from various Ministries.
This temporary removal was performed due to the fact that these persons had health problems such as: permanent watery eyes, blocked nose, they all suffered from tiredness and headaches.
These problems were a consequence of the fact that in the air there was a high ratio of bacteria which was stated by the experts who performed tests on the air.

During the tests two types of filters were used. One which checked the occurrence of asbestos and the second which tested the occurrence of bacteria in the air.
The ventilation was also checked. In these places water, pollen grains from plants and dust were found. These components create a mixture which is the reason that the employees became ill. The ventilation system was cleaned and new tests were performed again. The result showed that in the system there were no hazardous components and the employees could return to their work in the workplaces from where they were temporarily removed.

In Sweden CORRO BOHEMIA (our enterprise) has more than 25 years of practical experience with problems concerning asbestos. We cooperate with two internationally known Swedish asbestos experts (Doctor Englund and Professor Krantz).
Tests of air and various materials performed in the Czech Republic are sent to our employee partner: RÚVZ NITRA (Regional Institute of Public Health), to perform the necessary analyses.

CORRO BOHEMIA s.r.o. has developed the complete program for the testing of ASBESTOS and BACTERIA as follows:

AZBEST: Inspection, testing of air, analyses, capsulation or dismantling of asbestos and liquidation.
BAKTERIE: Inspection, testing of air, analyses, cleaning (removing of bacteria) and application of the unique STERIDEX coating membrane. STERIDEX prevents the creation of bacteria.

CORRO BOHEMIA works according to the Swedish ecological standard which is identical to the EU standard.

The testing we perform lasts 25 minutes and the client receives a reply within one week. Concerning problems with bacteria, we cooperate with the internationally known scientist, Ing. Rolf Nybom whose pioneering work is credited in the research in the area of allergies.

CORRO BOHEMIA uses the SEMPORE method. Using this method it is possible to easily and exactly localize the reasons which, among others, cause asthma and allergic reactions.

SEMPORE – this method (Swedish patent) is used in tests for the measurement of the quality of air flowing into the fan of the ventilation system and for specification of solid particles which pollute the air in the inside premises of the building.

This simple test, which can be performed by means of an electrode in the filter, is one of the most important advantages of the SEMPORE-method. Solid particles which contaminate the air are absorbed by the filtrating equipment (which has a patented construction) and is equipped with a membrane (micro-porouz filters) on the upper side.

The membrane of the filter catches particles with the size of 0.1μm.

The electrodes of the filter are constructed so as to enable an effective (time unlimited) analysis. The analysis is performed by a “single electronic microscope" (in Swedish: Svepelektronmikroskop SEM).
After taking the samples, tests are investigated on the SEM monitor of the microscope and we receive detailed information about the solid particles which may possibly be in the sample taken. It is possible to ascertain the number, size and form of the ascertained particles.

Tests are performed by Göran Enström who has the necessary qualifications for testing using the SEMPORE method.
All types of testing of air are performed on the instrument corresponding to the ISO 9002 standard.

A)

In many ventilation systems there are dust and filter cleaning inserts. They prevent the passing of greater air particles, such as antheral dust and other dust but they allow the passing of small and the smallest particles – bacteria.

B)

1. Dust particles and pollen grains
2. These particles are caught in the cleaning filter inserts
3. However the most dangerous particles (bacteria) continue to pass through to the ventilation system where they are circulated.

C)

Samples of organic particles from the ventilation system.

D)

If you decide to perform tests for the occurrence of asbestos fibres or bacteria in the air, we are ready to prepare for you a professional offer for specific cases.

.. from professional analysis up to removal

The testing and analytical method for the ascertainment and study of solid particles in air and liquids

Short summary of the historic development

The Sempore method started to be used as a filtering and hardening method for fast diagnosis in the area of medical research in the mid 1960s. The first application in the practice concerned hardening (through nucleo-porous filters) of bacteria and viruses which were located in body liquids. This enables the bacteria and viruses to be studied by means of a single-shop SEM microscope (in Swedish = Svepelektronmikroskop). The research was performed in cooperation with Wallenberg laboratories, by the immunologists at the Stockholm University, in the hospital in Huddinge and in the Karolinský Institute. This method opened up the possibilities for diagnostics which could be evaluated over several hours instead of several days and sometimes weeks if the waiting period was necessary for the cultivation of cultures for the specification of some types of viruses. This method is most frequently used for the diagnosis of viruses (e.g. HIV, CMV, hepatitis C), diagnosis of bacteria (Borelia) and transplantation programs, transfusion of blood, etc.

Testing of air is performed in a simple manner

This method is very easily used during the testing of air, as well as for the testing of liquids. It is also used for research and during various types of control measurements for the quality of air. The advantage of this method is that this method ensures the quality of supplied air in the fans of the controlled ventilation systems during the specification of small solid particles in the air and the internal premises of the buildings (for example, in cases of the “examination of sick buildings”).

The simple testing of air which is performed by means of a filter electrode, the so-called measuring kupirovani, represents one of the most important advantages of the Sempore method.

Solid particles which pollute the air are caught on the holder of the filter (whose construction has been applied for at the patent office). The filter holder is equipped with a flat membrane and a micro-porous filter on the upper side. Solid particles up to the size of 0.1µm are caught by the filter of the membrane through which the air flows by means of the pump or by means of an Airopoint ionizing device which performs the electro-static concentration of these particles.

To simplify the secure handling of filters which are sent for analysis, we can use a special box (the so-called carousel) where it is possible to place up to 10 tests at once.

For test with the pump, a measuring liquid of the standard quality is used. The time of measurement is 25 min. during which the air flows with a constant speed of 1.0 l/min. A typical measurement is performed in further places, most frequently in four places. By comparing the results with the outdoor air, it is possible to localize the source of the problem.

Electrostatic measurement by Airopoint air ionizer is recommended to be used in situations where it is necessary to perform a test for a longer time period. Using the ionizing of air, solid particles located in the air are charged negatively and then they are attracted to the electrode of the filter which is charged positively.

Analysis

The construction of the filter electrode also shortens the time. During the processing which is performed in a single form by means of an electronic SEM microscope (the membrane of SEM is coated with gold). Electrodes on the filter represent the first part of the integrated system for fast diagnosis. Afterwards the tests are carefully investigated by means of a monitor which is part of the SEM microscope. In this manner we can gather detailed information about the solid particles which possibly occurred in the sample taken. It is possible to state their number, size and form. Using the monitor it is possible to state a final diagnosis. As an illustration we will take one representative display from the monitor. If necessary, it is possible to identify the composition of certain solid particles by means of EDAX (X-ray analysis).

Areas of use

The Sempore method is used for the ascertainment of moulds, bacteria, fibres and dust in ventilation systems or in the air in a residential environment which makes this method especially suitable for ensuring the quality of the sucked air. It is possible to use this method for the specification of damage or escape in the ventilation system and to discover the blocking of the filter; it is also used for the final inspection after the cleaning of the sewerage system. If on the basis of low quality construction material there is damage from moisture and an increase in the origination of mould, the Sempore method enables to identify this damage in time and to prevent its expansion. As a fast and simple diagnosis of the environment, the SEM method is a fully-valued aid in the struggle against the expansion of asthma and allergies. There are many applications in the area of the working environment and especially during activities where there is contact with various fibres and dust.