Response Technology Ready Reference

Technology Information Summary

Product Description

MolecuCare, Inc.’s, Mold Removal Air Disinfection (MRAD) technologies decontaminate air at heating, ventilation, and air conditioning  (HVAC) flow rates.  The technologies kill pathogenic forms of bacteria and viruses, including mold spores and the submicron cold, flu, and tropical fever pathogens that are small enough to pass through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.  Unlike filtering and ionizing air cleaning, MRAD chambers do not store microbes for manual removal and disposal.  The MRAD technologies use ultraviolet energy to inactivate airborne microorganisms at specified air flow rates and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation input.  The technologies use the blower power of the central air system to decontaminate at that same rate as HVAC air moving through the building. Also, MRAD quantum optic technology can be used to decontaminate and disinfect potable water. 

The MRAD technologies are available in four different assemblages, depending on user requirements:

1.       CMRAD^©/HVAC – The Central MRAD (CMRAD) for whole-building indoor air decontamination is installed in existing or new HVAC ductwork.  The CMRAD system is bidirectional, meaning that when the blowers are off and the air currents flow in the reverse direction, the CMRAD disinfects in either flow direction. Reverse airflow is caused by atmospheric pressure change when power is down. Filters release microbes into the building air that were captured by powered flow direction. In an emergency as would cause power loss, CMRAD functions on batteries at full capacity regardless of air flow direction. The chambers are configured to accommodate a wide range of air flow rates and to provide the desired levels of bioprotection.  The geometry of the modules can be changed to accommodate the space constraints typical of ductwork retrofits.  The power supply needed to run the CMRAD is 1,400 to 1,800 watts, which can be provided by batteries or an assigned generator. System maintenance includes replacing a lamp every 2 years.

2.       PAR^© – The Portable Air Remedy (PAR) is a tandem series of CMRAD units on carts or in an upright, wheeled case with blowers. PAR may be moved about in a building to locations of emergency and routine alterations where mold is disturbed.  PAR also can be used for tactical quarantine or isolation purposes in a SARS-like emergency.  This technology can be used to create a safe air space by placing it in a mobile tent or emergency triage enclosure. 

3.       PWR^© – The Portable Water Remedy (PWR) consists of a 1½-ton water recovery machine and a ½-ton generator.  PWR can be used to treat over 4,000 cubic meters of water per hour.  This technology can be used to treat water at an emergency site rather than trucking in water from another location.

4.       AQUAIRE^© – The AQUAIRE system decontaminates both air and water and is intended for residences.  It is installed on the same floor base as furnace equipment and is added to a forced-air furnace or central air conditioning unit for preventive, whole-building air disinfection. 

Accessories:  MRAD units can be provided with additional control panels for remote operation (see below).  Accessories for the AQUAIRE include a stainless-steel auto flush system, auto feedback density and turbidity monitor sensing, a chart recorder with computer input, and a touch panel control.

Throughput of Product:  The MRAD systems match the throughput of the existing systems in which they are installed.  With an MRAD system installed, the amount of air moving through an existing HVAC system will remain the same.

Portability:  The PAR emergency and mold removal renovation, Portable Air Remedy system can be transported and operated at a temporary location.  The system’s dimensions range from 2.41 by 1.1 by 1.2 meters to 3.9 by 1.4 by 1.4 meters.  The system is mounted on a roll-in/roll-out cart.  Depending on the model CFM, the system runs on 6.5 to 23.0 amperes at 220 volts and 9-13 amperes at 125 volts.

Operation and Maintenance, AIR:  After an MRAD system has been professionally installed, it is ready for operation immediately.  Each unit includes a performance monitor and control panel located at the unit.  An optional remote panel provides a wall-mounted operation indicator with an on/off switch.

Cleaning and lamp replacement are required periodically for an MRAD system.  MolecuCare offers a maintenance contract for large building installations that covers monitor inspection, cleaning, and lamp replacement without additional charges other than the cost of replacing any damaged equipment.  MolecuCare also conducts performance tests for the removal of specific microorganisms of concern and microorganisms with similar physical characteristics.  Culture tests are conducted at MolecuCare’s expense under a service agreement to the extent specified each year in the contract.  However, any test reports prepared by a certified and qualified laboratory are billed to the MRAD user.

Pre-Treatment Requirements:  The MRAD requires professional installation before use.  No pre-treatment requirements exist.

By-Products:  The MRAD technology produces no by-products.

Post-Treatment Requirements:  The MRAD technology requires no post-treatment.

Training:  Training for installation of the MRAD technology is available from MolecuCare.

Technical Support:  MolecuCare products are warranty-protected for 10 years against defects in materials and workmanship that affect performance.  The warranty includes product replacement, repair, or upgrading, as required, at no cost to the purchaser except for the cost of lamps, shipping, or installation.  A discount trade-in option for lamp exchange is available under the annual maintenance contract at an additional cost.  In-house technical support is available to customers at no charge.

Health and Safety:  No specific health and safety issues have been identified for use of the MRAD technology.  A professional contractor should be used to install an MRAD system.

Performance Summary

The following independent studies have been conducted for the MRAD technology:

1.       Yale University School of Medicine Dept Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, in association with Prof/Dr William Koingsberg, Chair

2.       American Sterilizer Corporation, Bacteriology Laboratory, Joseph P Dalmasso, Ph.D., Director, Apex N.C.

3.       American Sterilizer Corporation, Media , PA., Joseph P Dalmasso, Ph.D. Director

4.       Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, CA, James Kettering, Ph.D., Microbiology, Prof Kenneth Wical, DDS

5.       Barnabus Hospital AIDS Dental Prosthetics, Sterilizer Rm, Gen’l Hospital Emergency Room, Surgery and AIDS Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Intensive Care Isolation, FDA  Non Significant Risk Trials

6.       Nelson Laboratories, Inc., MRAD high velocity testing of the MolecuCare steady-state chamber on July 22, 1997. Testing conducted for MolecuCare, Inc.

7.       International Test and Balance, Inc., performed testing and analysis for mold contamination in MRAD chambers in residential areas on June 10, 2002.  Testing and analysis conducted for MRAD, Inc.

The performance information in this summary report was provided by Nelson Laboratories, Inc., which performed an aerosol test to evaluate the MRAD system’s ability to inactivate microbes.  The test was run using both the low air flow and high air flow settings, without filtering.  Various microorganisms were used for the test.  Bacillus subtilis endospores were chosen because of their resistance to drying.  Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were chosen to represent clinically significant microorganisms that are among the leading causes of nosocomial infections in hospitals.  The bacteriophage fX-174 was chosen because it is one of the smallest known viruses (with a size of 25 to 27 nanometers) and is commonly used as a surrogate for human virus barrier studies.  Aspergillus niger spores were selected because they are among the organisms most resistant to UV irradiation and are common environmental contaminants.

Technology Performance – Effectiveness: The results of the Nelson Laboratories, Inc., test are summarized below. These percentages are kill of a visual fog density microbe suspension challenge without filter for a 250 millisecond excursion through the unit at threshold (lowest) kill power. 

Technology Performance – Penetration, WATER:  According to the vendor, the MRAD can penetrate up to 10.8 inches of air at 68.1 ft/sec.  The water technologies can penetrate 1.2 inches of water at 19 ft/sec.

Cost Information

January 2005 cost information provided by the vendor is detailed below. Throughput rates range above 30 M²/min from equipment size approximately 1.8 X 5.5 X 1.4 meters for water disinfection, “purification”.

References and Additional Information

1.       International Test and Balance, Inc. 2002.  “Test and Analysis – MRAD Chamber Effect.“  Winnebego, Illinois.  June.

2.       MolecuCare, Inc.  2004. MRAD Product Booklet Provided to Eric Koglin, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  September 15.

3.       MolecuCare, Inc.  2005.  Web Site.  Accessed on January 14, 2005.  Online Address: www.molecucare.com.

4.       Nelson Laboratories, Inc.  1997.  “Aerosol Challenge Testing of the MolecuCare H-10 Steady-State Chamber.”  Protocol No. 9707102-04.  Laboratory No. 105759.  Salt Lake City, Utah.  July.

Notice and Disclaimer

Preparation of this report has been funded wholly or in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract Number 68-W-02-034.  Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation for use.