Pest Control of India Ltd (PCI) is introducing Medixair, a new germicidal product from Brandenburg UK for air sterilization, to hospitals across India.

PCI has already approached some hospitals in Mumbai as its initial step to market UV-C light-based air sterilizer.

"In order to demonstrate the advantages of the product and recommend it to have in the hospitals, we are conducting workshops in several hospitals like we recently had in Holy Family hospital. We are getting good responses," said Agnihotiri. Each unit costs Rs 45,000 in India.

Medixair is a machine that looks similar to an air-conditioner. It is a small portable device. It needs less or no maintenance. The UV-C light from ultra bulbs in the device purifies air.

UV-C light is germicidal, it deactivates the DNA of dust mites, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens and thus destroys their ability to multiply and cause disease. Specifically, UV-C light causes damage to the nucleic acid of micro-organisms by forming covalent bonds between certain adjacent basis in the DNA.

The product does not cause any environmental hazards, said Guru Agnihotiri, marketing manager of PCI.

Holy Family Hospital at Bandra has installed around 20 of the units purchased in instalments after finding them effective. "It is most important to get it (Medixair) installed at ICU and other wards that have patients with any communicable diseases," said Valentine D'Cruz, Engineer Biomedical Services, Holy Family Hospital.

In Hospital set-ups virulent infections caused by micro-organism such as MRSA & Clostridium difficile earlier associated to be spreading only through unsanitised hands and surfaces, are now known also to float in air, which are disturbed by activities like bed making and by air conditioning and ventilating systems causing nosocomial infections.

UV-C light replicates the natural outdoor purification system of the sun by destroying the allergy and disease causing microbes living and multiplying on and below the surface of the mattress. Used in filtered extraction device it is the most effective way to eliminate dust mites, bacteria and the health risks they represent.

Explaining about the maintenance, Agnihotri said, "After a long duration use of the sterilizer, which is after its use of 8000 hours, it will indicate for the change of ultra bulb. This is the only maintenance it needs."