Electrostatic targeting for allergen removal and pest control applications

Today in the United Kingdom, approximately one in seven infants are diagnosed with asthma in the first six months of life. There has been a dramatic increase in recent years, and asthma-related drugs now account for approximately 11% of the total prescription costs to the National Health in the UK (Department of Health, Asthma and Epidemiology, HMSO, 1995). In addition to medication, preventative measures include attempts to exclude the allergen from the domestic environment. This requires careful control of the most common asthma allergen, Der p1, which is conveyed by the waste products produced by the house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus). Acaricides may be used to kill the dust mites, but these have to be combined with allergen denaturing agents if eradication of the allergen is sought. Mechanical barriers such as mattress and pillow covers offer some protection from contact with the allergen, but often with a varying degree of success. High levels of allergen carriers are also known to exist in carpeting, and this can lead to a particularly undesirable environment for infants who frequently crawl with their faces close to, and sometimes in contact with, the carpet pile. Inhalation of allergen is usually unavoidable in this situation. Research has indicated that the use of electret fibres can dramatically enhance the anchoring of allergen carriers in the carpet pile. Electrostatic adhesion of the carriers to the electret fibres ensures that for normal traffic conditions, such as walking, crawling, playing etc, much less dust is released from the carpet; thus reducing the probability of inhalation. Dispensing domestic products in aerosol form has undoubtedly been a commercial success; offering considerable consumer advantages in applications ranging from paints, polishes and insecticides. The targeting of products in aerosol form may not, however, be optimised with a high proportion of the product often missing its target. It is well known that electrostatic spraying can enhance targeting, but this technology is normally limited to industrial processes such as paint and powder coating. A novel and unique aerosol package has been developed which charges the aerosol on delivery in a controlled manner. The Smartseeker™(™Smartseeker is a trademark of Reckitt Benckiser) insect seeking technology is now incorporated into a commercial aerosol insecticide, and is the worldʹs first electrostatically optimised aerosol can which requires no active energy source. Flying insect knock-down is enhanced by up to 34% with this technology.