Frequently Asked Questions
1. WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Nano is derived from the Greek word for “dwarf “.
1 nanometer is approximately 100,000 times thinner than a human hair.
Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing science of producing and utilizing
nano-sized particles that measure in nanometers (1 nm = 1 billionth of
a metre).
The term nanoparticle is generally used to indicate particles with
dimensions less than 100 nanometers (one nanometer is one billionth of
a meter). For comparison, a human hair is about 100,000 nm in diameter,
while a smoke particle is about 1,000 nm in diameter.
2. WHAT ARE POTENTIAL GENS NANO APPLICATIONS
Self cleaning
- For exterior self-cleaning applications
- For exterior surface mold & moss protection and removal
Air purification
- For VOCs, NOx, other air quality pollutants
- For the key components, filters, ducts of UV air purification equipment
Anti-bacterial
- For Epidemic (H5N1, SARS, MRSA) defense
- For disease prevention after earthquake, flood, cyclone and etc.
- For hospital, public room, home daily anti-bacterial treatment
- For anti-bacterial surface treatment
Anti-mould & anti-moss
- For use on stucco, concrete, wood, marble, granite, metal, paint, panels...
Deodorization
- For pet odour control
- For garbage odour treatment
- For tobacco smoke odour removal
Water purification
- For printing and dyeing industry
- For early stage cleaning of water for household use
- For port and sea oil pollution
3. WHAT IS TITANIUM DIOXIDE (TiO2)?
Titanium is the 9th-most common element on earth and titanium oxide is used as a white pigment in paint and cosmetics. As a pigment a lower grade titanium dioxide is used. For photocatalyst applications like air-purifying, anti-bacterial use and self-cleaning purposed a very high-grade photo reactive titanium dioxide is used. Its high levels of reaction to light enable it to act as a catalyst to produce large quantities of hydroxyl radicals that cause the oxidation of organic matter, sterilise most bacteria and clear the air of pollutants. Titanium dioxide can do this without changing its own structure, thereby causing it to have an indefinite life span. Add to this the fact that it is non-toxic to the environment and humans, it is no wonder it is being talked about in the same glowing terms used to describe the future of plastic when it first came to the market.
4. ARE NANO-PRODUCTS SAFE? ARE THEY TOXIC?
Safety of TiO2
TiO2 used as photocatalyst is physically and chemically safe, the US
certified it as a food additive in 1968 and Japan did in 1983. It is
now used widely in making white chocolates and functional cosmetics,
including lipsticks. The Food Analysis Center of Japan Food Research
Laboratories and Mitsubishi Chemical Safety Institute Ltd. demonstrated
its safety through skin simulating tests and acute oral toxicity test.
Fig-1 Photocatalyst & Chlorophyll
5. WHAT IS A PHOTOCATALYST?
Photo-Catalysis is defined as "acceleration by the presence of a
catalyst". A catalyst does not change in itself or being consumed in
the chemical reaction. This definition includes photosensitization, a
process by which a photochemical alteration occurs in one molecular
entity as a result of initial absorption of radiation by another
molecular entity called the photosensitized.
Chlorophyll of plants is a type of photocatalyst called photosynthesis.
Photocatalysis is when chlorophyll captures sunlight to turn water and
carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose. Photocatalysis is the creation
of a strong oxidation agent to breakdown any organic matter to carbon
dioxide and water in the presence of the photocatalyst, light and
water.
6. WHAT IS AN AIR AND SURFACE QUALITY TEST (ASQT)?
Indoor air and surface quality test can provide you with detailed information on the composition, sources and levels of indoor pollutants.
7. WHAT ARE VOCs AND WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?
VOCs - Volatile Organic Compounds are gases given off by a number of indoor sources.
Formaldehyde is one of the most common VOCs. Formaldehyde is a colourless gas with an unpleasant smell. It is common in many building materials such as plywood, particleboard, and glues. Formaldehyde is also found in furnishings (furniture, drapes and carpets) and in some types of foam insulation. Other sources of VOCs and formaldehyde include burning of fuels: gas, wood, kerosene, and tobacco products. VOCs also come from personal care products such as perfumes and hair spray, from cleaning agents and dry cleaning fluid, paints, lacquers and varnishes, and from copying and printing machines.
VOCs can be released from a product for several years, though the amounts given off tend to be less as the product ages and "dries out".
8. WHAT SYMPTOMS DO VOCs COUSE?
VOCs can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, nausea and dizziness, and skin problems. Higher amounts can cause irritation of the lungs and wheezing. Higher exposures to formaldehyde may also cause memory problems and anxiety.
9. WHAT IS OXIDATION?
The process of combining oxygen with some other substance or a chemical change in which and atom loses electrons. The most powerful advanced oxidation systems are based on the generation of hydroxyl radicals. They act as very powerful disinfecting agents by oxidizing cells of micro-organizms, causing rapture of the cell and leakage of vital composition.
10. HOW DOES GENS NANO TiO2 PROTECT AGAINST BACTERIA AND VIRUSES?
Micro-organisms carry a negative charge while TiO2 coated surface carries a positive charge. This creates an "electromagnetic" attraction between the microbe and treated surface. Once contact is made, the microbe is oxidized and dies instantly.
11. WHY IS GENS NANO TiO2 TREATMENT SEMI-PERMANENT?
Although it is originally water-soluble, it dries quickly after application and becomes water-insoluble. It also becomes very hard in ten to fourteen days after application. It does not come off unless the surface is polished. Titanium dioxide is merely the catalyst and is not changed, its effect is semi-permanent except when walls and ceilings are repainted.
12. WHAT IS ANTI-STATIC?
Dust particle is no longer attracted to the oily components on the TiO2 treated surface.
13. WHAT IS HYDROPHILIC?
Hydrophilic ~ water loving. When the surface of photocatalytic film is exposed to light, the contact angle of the phtocatalyst surface with water is reduced gradually. After enough exposure to light, the surface reaches a super-hydrophilic state. In other words, it does not repel water at all, so water cannot exist in the shape of a drop, but spreads flatly on the surface of the substrate. The water takes the form of a highly uniform thin film, which behaves optically like a clear sheet of glass. The hydrophilic nature of titanium dioxide, coupled with the gravity, will enable the dust particles to be swept away following the water stream, thus making the product self-cleaning.
14. HOW DO WE JUSTIFY THE COST?
Investment in GENS NANO products and services can be readily justified when measured against the social and economic issues of to-days busy lifestyles. Employee health and absenteeism, due to Sick-Building-Syndrome, has become a major issue facing the business world. The off-gases from furniture, carpets, copiers, computers and numerous other items all contribute to this problem of poor air quality.
It is difficult to quantify productivity loss associated with poor air quality or any microbial spread on surfaces. Please find below an estimate of the potential dollar value costs for an average company and for a property manager due to poor air quality.
Potential Costs Associated with Employee Productivity Loss Due to Poor Air Quality
A study by the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) estimates that the building environment can reduce productivity by 2 - 6%. Officials at an American insurance company estimate that the potential decrease in productivity could be as high as 6 - 8%. Other professionals estimate that the employee productivity loss attributable to indoor air pollutants is close to 3% and microbial contamination among employees 6%
The correlation between employee productivity loss and poor air quality can be significant:
| Costs Associated with Employee Productivity Loss | |
| Consider an office space | 10,000 ft2 |
| And a typical occupancy density of: | 154 ft2 / employee |
| The average staffing would be (10,000/154) | 65 employees |
| With average salary per employee (Canadian) of | $45,360 |
| The total salary costs are approximately (65x45,360) | $3 million / year |
| Using an employee productivity loss potential of | 7% (maybe conservative) |
| The productivity loss would be (0.07 x 3 million): | $210,000 / year |
As seen in the example above, the costs associated with employee productivity loss, due to poor air quality and microbial contamination, could amount to many thousands of dollars.
Potential Costs Associated with Losing a Tenant Due to Poor Air Quality
While the individual employee productivity loss is important to employers, it is not the only cost associated with poor air quality. Other attributable costs include increased operation and maintenance costs, increased insurance costs, and even the threat of litigation. Most importantly, poor air quality could result in the possibility of tenants leaving the building if their employees are dissatisfied and production is being effected.
The costs associated with losing established tenants and attracting new tenants are compounded by the cost of vacant tenant space, renovations, refurbishment's required by a new tenant as well as various economic incentives (such as reduced rent for a specific period). Awareness of the problem within the building by other potential tenants would further compound the problem.
Quantifying the potential property management costs associated with poor air quality is difficult. The following example summarizes some of the potential costs:
| Costs Associated with Losing a Tenant | |
| Consider an office space of: | 10,000 ft2 |
| With a typical lease rate of: | $2.00 / ft2 / month |
| And a typical utilities cost of: | $0.25 / ft2 / month |
| The vacancy lost would be (1 x 10,000 x 2.0): | $20,000 / month |
| The unpaid utilities cost would be (1 x 10,000 x 0.25): | $2,500 / month |
| Estimated advertising costs to attract new tenants: | $2,000 |
| With remodeling / refurbishment costs of: | $2 / ft2 |
| The new tenant cost would be (2,000+2x10,000): | $22,000 |
| The cost of lost tenant and 1-month vacancy: | $24,500 |
| 2-month vacancy: | $49,000 |
| 6-month vacancy: | $147,000 |
In the above example, even the short-term costs can amount to thousands of dollars.
