Highly Effective for New H1N1 Influenza Virus Suppression
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) has already demonstrated through joint research with public institutions, the effectiveness of its electrolyzed water technology, developed over many years, to suppress various viruses including seasonal influenza. Now the company has confirmed through joint research with the Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences that this technology is also highly effective for suppressing the new H1N1 (swine flu) virus that has been spreading around the world since the spring. SANYO will continue to pursue more research and applications for electrolyzed water technology, based on the verification data obtained through the recent joint research.
SANYO makes its Virus Washer technology available in Europe with its domestic and commercial use air purification units. The units are portable and cover air circulation in spaces of up to 100m². The technology operates by creating electrolyzed water, which is done by combining tap water with electricity without the requirement for any additional chemicals.
1. Recently demonstrated effects of electrolyzed water
SANYO confirmed that its electrolyzed water technology is at least 99% effective in suppressing infectivity for a clinical strain of the new H1N1 influenza virus
(1)What is the new H1N1 virus?
New H1N1, or swine flu, is the new pandemic influenza virus that began spreading around the world in the spring of 2009. It causes symptoms such as high fever, muscle aches, and runny nose. Younger people are particularly prone to the new virus, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared a phase-six global pandemic alert.
(2)What is a clinical strain of new H1N1?
The clinical strain of the new H1N1 is a viral strain collected from swine flu patients. Through genetic testing of this virus, it has been confirmed as the new H1N1 virus that has been spreading around the world.
2. Details of the demonstrated effects
(1) Effectiveness of electrolyzed water to reduce new H1N1 viral infectivity
The verification testing on the effectiveness of electrolyzed water to reduce the infectivity of the new H1N1 virus confirmed a 99% or greater suppression of infectivity for the new H1N1 influenza virus. The testing was conducted by exposing the virus to electrolyzed water with a free chlorine concentration of 2 mg/L, for ten minutes.
Testing method: A suspension of new H1N1 influenza virus was exposed to electrolyzed water with a free chlorine concentration of 2 mg/L for 10 minutes, and the viral infectivity reduction effect was evaluated
Measurement method: The viral infectivity (TCID50) measurement method*5 was employed using Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK cells)
Joint research institution: Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences
(2) Mechanism for suppression of the new H1N1 influenza virus using electrolyzed water (presumed)
From the testing results for the infectivity reduction effect of electrolyzed water, the effectiveness of the virus washer technology was confirmed for the new H1N1 influenza virus, just as it had been confirmed for the seasonal influenza virus. It is presumed that viral infectivity is suppressed, due to the denaturing and break down of the viral protein necessary for infection, through a reaction of that protein with two types of active oxygen (electrolyzed hypochlorous acid and hydroxyl radicals) present in electrolyzed water.
Remarks by Kunihisa Kozawa, Head of the Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences
Respiratory viruses including the new H1N1 influenza virus are spread through droplet and airborne transmission. As a result, the rapid elimination of airborne viruses is thought that it is effective. Since the viral suppression effect of air purifiers is not visible to the naked eye, it is important to use technology that has been scientifically proven. The recent results are very significant as the first research to scientifically demonstrate that electrolyzed water inactivates the new influenza virus (H1N1).
Kunihisa Kozawa
Chairman of the Japan Association of Prefectural and Municipal Public Health Institutes
Head of the Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences
M.D. and Surgeon at the Gunma Prefectural Cardiovascular Center
Specialties: Surgical Medicine and Public Health
Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences
The Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences is a public research institution that performs studies and research relating to public health and environmental sciences. It has produced major research results in a wide range of fields relating to public health and environmental conservation, such as medical research, air and water pollution surveys, as well as research relating to infectious diseases, food poisoning, and hay fever. It is also designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as an institution eligible for subsidies for scientific research, making it an advanced research institution recognized by the Japanese government.
'World First' - As of August 18, 2009
'SANYO's Electrolyzed Water Technology' - Technology using diluted electrolyzed water created through the electrolyzation of tap water
'Highly Effective for New H1N1 Influenza Virus Suppression' - Reduction of infectivity (quantification of viral infection strength)
'99% effective in suppressing infectivity' - Quantification of viral infection strength
'The viral infectivity (TCID50) measurement method' - Viral unit that can infect 50% of cells