"Sick Yacht Syndrome"
Viruses, bilge odours, flesh eating bacteria, mold, yeast, holding tank odours, VOC's, stale air, diesel bacteria – all are indoor air problems on a ship or yacht. Why are indoor air problems magnified on a yacht and how can we control them? Indoor air problems or sick building syndrome is a widely recognized, universal health problem. What is new and gaining attention is Sick Yacht Syndrome.
The Virus Killer is suitable to eliminate the risks of this Sick Yacht
Syndrome by purifying the air up to 99+% of any potential air pollutants.
The so called PHI (Photo-Hydro-Ionization) Technology, which is developed in the US, is provided by Virenkiller CleanAir Germany for effective and fast air purification. HVAC GA does not need the pollutants to travel to the air handler for UV treatment or filtration. HVAC GA is proactive and sends ionized aggressive advanced oxidizers into the room to destroy the pollutants at the source, in the air and on surfaces, before they can reach your clients or employees. Unlike ozone generators, advanced oxidation systems use redundant safe oxidizers and are widely used by all major food processors, the military, major cruise ships, homeland security, hospitals, assisted living facilities, hotel chains, etc.
Stale Air – S.O.S. for S.Y.S.
Yachts are notorious for stale air. You can notice it as soon as you step onboard. There is a trademark odour. Some try to mask odours with another odour or scent. Companies actually specialize in "scent engineering", tying certain scents with feelings or moods. The problem with this concept of olfactory persuasion is that we all process odours differently. Roses may smell good to you and make you smile, but may remind the next person of a funeral home! The best scent engineering is a non-scent or the absence of all odours. Space and weight are design problems. Therefore heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is kept to a minimum. Make-up air or fresh outside air is limited or non-existent.
Make-up air
Make-up air should represent 25% of a yacht's airflow. Designers prefer to recycle the air as it is usually warmer or cooler than the outside air, so less energy is required to heat or cool the air. The problem is the same air is constantly being turned over.
Diesel Fuel
A yacht can carry anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of gallons of diesel fuel. The fuel, of course, is confined to the fuel tank. Most yachts have a diesel fuel odour. Some are subtle, some are stronger. Assuming there are no leaks or spills, you will still get diesel odours from the fuel tank vents that relieve air pressure caused by fuel displacement of air and temperature variations. Fuel vents vent outside the boat. However, some diesel odours always seem to find their way inside the yacht, plus the engine room usually has many small leaks and venting. Why is this important to the yacht owner's indoor air problems? Aside from diesel fuel odour being unpleasant, diesel fuel is a microbial breeding ground and food source. Diesel fuel has the ability to harbor and grow 30 types of bacteria, 12 yeasts and over 80 fungi species. When fuel odours are present, these odours actually represent minute aspirated fuel particles that can easily be carrying some of the bacteria, yeast or fungi known to grow in diesel fuel.
Bilge odours
All yachts have bilges, and with them come odours, oil, fresh water from air conditioner condensers, and soapy wash water. All are excellent breeding grounds for bacteria. Oil, like diesel fuel, contains bacteria, yeast and fungi. Soap and detergents contain phosphates, which can fertilize our lawns and gardens but can also fertilize microbial growth. As with diesel odours, bilge odours aspirate minute particles of bilge water loaded with microbial and food sources for the microbials.
Holding tank odours
Yes, sewage stored in a yacht holding tank can run from 50 gallons to over 5,000 gallons. Again, these tanks are vented outside of the hull, and are a huge source of bacteria, viruses, methane, and hydrogen sulfide gases, and of course, odours. These sewage gases, bacteria and odours always seem to find their way into the yacht, again providing microbials as well as food sources for the microbials themselves.
Molds
Molds are gaining worldwide attention. Multimillion dollar homes are being razed due to mold contamination. Insurance companies are excluding mold damage from their coverage. Mold spores are everywhere. They simply need still air, moisture and a food source. Yachts provide a perfect atmosphere for growing mold. Ideal food sources are leather, paper, fabric and wood. This combined with stagnate air and dampness produces a perfect mold farm.
Wastewater Related Diseases and Viruses from Inhalation*
Water Pollution Control Federation, Tuberculosis, Histoplasmosis, Coxsackie A&B, Adenovirus, Bacteria Dysentery, Common Cold, Echovirus, Rotavirus