FN is a powerful and persistent anti microbial, but its amazing ability to decompose Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and odorous chemicals which come in contact with an FN treated surface makes it a valuable tool in all environments, indoors and out, where air pollutants and harmful gases and odors are prevalent.
Odors consist of one or more chemical compounds, commonly called Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, although some inorganic substances, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, are also odorants. Even at very low concentration, humans and animals can perceive these substances, although many harmful VOCs have no odor and can be more dangerous than those we can smell. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found concentrations of VOCs in indoor air commonly to be 2 to 5 times that in outdoor air and sometimes far greater. During certain activities indoor levels of VOCs may reach 1,000 times that of the outside air.
FN cleans the air by oxidizing the odorous molecules just as it kills bacteria and viruses. It does not mask the odor with perfumes or fragrances, some which are toxic or allergens themselves. The process is simple: first there is physiosorption by the electrostatic attraction of the FN coated surface, binding the airborne molecules to the FN nanocrystals. Then the energy of light, even simple interior lighting, is transferred to catalytic reduction. Oxidation reactions of atmospheric water result in the production of the hydroxyl radicals (OH•) for contaminant destruction. Hydroxyl radicals are nonselective oxidizers, which rapidly attack all organic contaminants and break down their carbon-to-carbon bonds. Oxidation by hydroxyl radicals is a faster reaction than direct oxidation by even chlorine or ozone. Oxidation products of most organic compounds are hydroxylated trace elements, carbon dioxide, and water.
FN will continue to decompose offending contaminants and VOCs such as reduced sulfur compounds, formaldehyde and ethylene over time, endlessly and without loss of effect. There are no chemicals to be used up, no adsorbent like activated charcoal to get saturated and need replacement. As a catalyst, FN works tirelessly to scrub the atmosphere. Our independent lab tests document the effectiveness of FN against hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde and ethylene gases as representative of reduced sulfur compounds and VOCs. FN’s broad spectrum reduction of airborne contaminants and the odors they cause produce some other surprising benefits.
The ability of FN to constantly reduce ethylene using just interior light can increase the shelf life of produce, make cut flowers last longer, and save money by decreasing spoilage of many perishable foods. Ethylene gas is the well-known plant growth regulator that causes ripening and spoilage of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Ethylene is 5,000 times more toxic to plants than carbon monoxide is to humans. A carbon monoxide level of 100 ppm causes headaches in humans, but an ethylene level of only 0.02 ppm begins to reduce pollination and fruit set in plants. Labs tests conducted for EcoActive Surfaces by Aalto Ethylene Testing demonstrated that even in very high saturation environments in which there was zero air movement, this destructive gas was reduced dramatically with only a small amount of fluorescent light powering the photooxidation by the FN coating.
