Jessica Frost Industry hygiene standards are already sky-high. But could this new Dyson technology take things to the next level?
Dyson have been leaders in air technology for years now from. From vacuum cleaners to their famed Supersonic hair dryer and newer addition, the Air Wrap. Now, they have a new innovation that could help you elevate your in-clinic or spa experience while helping to mitigate some pretty serious health risks.
Learn more about the new Dyson HEPA Cool Formaldehyde as featured in the latest issue of SPA+CLINIC magazine and read the full issue below.
1. Indoor air is more polluted than you think
Chances are you spend the majority of your time at your spa or clinic, breathing in up to 9,000 litres of air every day. Just because you have your work space cleaned regularly and the air in your treatment rooms and reception area smells neutral (or like the skincare you use, scented candles you burn, or room fragrances you spray), doesn’t actually mean it’s clean. Air in indoor spaces can contain pollutants including potentially harmful gases such as NO2 from smoke, VOCs released by air fresheners, odours and formaldehyde, as well as particles as small as 0.1 microns such as allergens, bacteria, pollen and mould spores. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we’ve become more aware of the importance of hygiene measures. Your staff and clients deserve to be reassured that you aim to create a safe environment at your business.
2. Formaldehyde can cause serious health issues
Did you know that formaldehyde is a colourless gas pollutant, released by furniture and wooden products which use formaldehyde-based resins? Formaldehyde is 500 times smaller than 0.1 microns, which makes it particularly difficult to capture but potentially leads to long-term exposure if left undetected due to off-gassing. The new Dyson HEPA Cool Formaldehyde includes a Selective Catalytic Oxidisation (SCO) filter, which continuously destroys formaldehyde at a molecular level (1).
Professor of Global Environmental Health, Sotiris Vardoulakis, says there are “a range of chemical pollutants that we are exposed to in our homes including formaldehyde which is emitted from building materials (e.g. insulating materials and pressed-wood products) and household products (e.g. paints, cleaning products, pesticides, adhesives) – continuous exposure to formaldehyde over years is carcinogenic to humans and over shorter periods it may cause health effects in some individuals such as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Air purifiers with formaldehyde sensors and sealed HEPA 13 standard filtration, when appropriately used, can reduce exposure to formaldehyde and significantly improve indoor air quality. They can also provide added protection from smoke as well as keeping the air clean of everyday pollutants found in our homes. This includes indoor pollutants such as dander from pets, fumes from gas stoves and VOCs from beauty products like hair spray.”
3. Give your business a point of difference
Let’s be honest, clients expect more from you than ‘just a treatment’ these days. The savvy skin clinic or spa client is always looking for businesses who offer more, whether that is a focus on sustainability, natural products, the latest technology, or purified air. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to provide an environment where clients can breathe cleaner air, free from pollutants when you ask them to ‘take three deep breaths’ during a facial or massage? Letting people know that you are using a Dyson air purifier to improve wellbeing across all your marketing messaging will make you stand out from the crowd and might just be the reason someone chooses your business over another one down the road.
4. More affordable than you think
Many air purifiers require regular replacement of the filters in order to function well, however, the new Dyson HEPA Cool Formaldehyde is different. While the HEPA+Carbon filter is recommended to be replaced only once a year, the formaldehyde filter doesn’t have to be replaced at all. Formaldehyde sensors can be gel-based and may deteriorate gradually as they dry out over time. Using a solid electro-chemical cell, the Dyson formaldehyde sensor does not dry out and its unique intelligent algorithm cross-checks data every second, selectively sensing to avoid confusion with other VOCs. Dyson’s Selective Catalytic Oxidation (SCO) filter continuously destroys formaldehyde at a molecular level. The catalytic filter has a unique coating, with the same structure as the Cryptomelane mineral. Its billions of atom- sized tunnels are the optimal size and shape to trap and destroy formaldehyde, breaking it down into tiny amounts of water and CO2. It then regenerates from oxygen in the air to keep destroying it continuously without ever requiring replacement.
5. Connected technology engineered for real spaces
The new Dyson HEPA Cool Formaldehyde is specifically engineered for businesses and commercial spaces. Benefits include a spare remote and a longer cable. On its maximum setting, it can cool and purify the air in a room as big as 81 m3, all while being extremely quiet. It detects particles, formaldehyde and other gases, displaying real-time reports on the LCD and Dyson Link app(2). In Auto mode, it automatically reacts – only purifying when needed. The Dyson Link app lets you see which particles have been captured, set schedules and more. You can also control the device hands-free, using compatible voice services such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri (3).
6. Breathe cleaner air, not dirty air
Conventional ventilation, air circulation and air conditioning systems in spa and clinic spaces may not have adequate HEPA filtration. They usually contain a filter element that tends to focus on capturing larger particles like dust or airborne debris with the ultimate goal of protecting the airflow systems within, rather than providing efficient particle removal. Dyson’s latest purifiers have fully-sealed filtration systems, and HEPA-13 certified filters. This means they can capture not only the larger particles but those as small as 0.1 microns, including gases, bacteria and some viruses (4) to ensure the indoor air meets guests’ expectations. They are engineered to provide high-quality filtration and powerful projection to support existing HVAC systems and provide cleaner, purified air throughout your space.
Learn more about the Dyson HEPA Cool Formaldehyde here.
(1) Third party full machine testing based on GB/T 18801- 2015 formaldehyde cumulative clean mass testing with continuous injection until plateau of formaldehyde CADR is achieved. Results may vary in practice.
(2) Requires device to run app, Wi-Fi or mobile data, Bluetooth 4.0 support, and iOS version 10 or Android version 5 (or above). Standard data and messaging rates may apply. App control doesn’t apply to heating.
(3) Refer to the Dyson Link app for compatible voice services.
(4) Whole machine tested by independent third-party laboratory Airmid (Ireland) in 28.5m3 test chamber pre-conditioned to 20±3C and RH 50±5%. Influenza A (H1N1) aerosolised in the test chamber and airborne concentration observed for the duration of 60 minutes under maximum Fan speed. 99% efficacy but real-life efficacy may differ depending on actual environment and Fan speed. Tested on Influenza A (H1N1) only.
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