Re: Sanyo ABC-VW24 Virus Washer Air Purifier

A Reader writes:

Have you ever come across this interesting unit made by Sanyo.

It's called the Sanyo ABC-VW24, or more loosely termed the virus washer.

What are your thoughts?

Ed's Reply

Hey Reader;

The latest tech fad is combined humidifier/plasma-ion air purifiers.

The leader in this area is the Sharp Plasmacluster KC-C150U, currently under test here, review pending.

SanyoABC-VW24 virus washer, marketed primarily in the UK, has cleverly added a cool-mist ultrasonic humidifier to the hydroxyl radical air purifier.

Other combo units use evaporative sponges and filters.

The cool mist makes a variety of droplet sizes, rather than just vapor. Because the electrodes are in the water, Sanyo markets their water based oxidants as "electrolyzed water."

By using chlorinated tap water, hypochlorous acid is also produced.

Otherwise, the machine fits the Asian invasion model I generally promote - dual sensor automatic operation, true HEPA particle filtering, quiet inverter DC motor, long filter life, user friendly controls, and modern style.

What Sanyo asserts is different is the persistence of its electrolyzed water oxidants.

I have long argued, as Sanyo does, that competitor's plasma-ion oxididants are short lived, and therefore safer than persistent oxidants like ozone. Sanyo's oxidants are claimed to permeate and disinfect entire rooms, just as ozone does.

Sanyo also claims the water can penetrate furnishings, carpets, and drapes, and destroy microorganisms there.

Lacking direct experience with the Sanyo virus washer, which currently lacks sufficient US market presence for me to purchase, I cannot pass judgment on either the effectiveness or safety of the virus washers from Sanyo.

By using beneficent "power of water" imagery, rather than emphasizing the dispersed hydroxyl radical oxidants/hypochlorous acid actually employed, Sanyo casts itself with marketers of ozone machines offering "mountain air."

The swine flu marketing bandwagon effect is also in evidence.

I'd need firsthand experience, and large scale market penetration, before advocating this technology, which reminds me of the health hazards of ozone generators.

I'd wait a while on this one.

Best wishes,

Ed