FAQ
- How does the BIOSWEEP™ process work?
- Does the BIOSWEEP™ use any chemicals?
- Will the BIOSWEEP™ bleach upholstery or harm fabrics?
- How large an area will the BIOSWEEP™ process treat?
- Can the BIOSWEEP™ be operated with people or pets in the room?
- What are the primary uses for the BIOSWEEP™?
- How long does it take for the BIOSWEEP™ process to treat an area?
- Will it require more than one treatment?
- Is the BIOSWEEP™ an ozone generator?
- How much time is saved with the BIOSWEEP™?
- Is the BIOSWEEP™ an air scrubber?
- Why can't we breathe the BIOSWEEP™ vapor?
- Can I purchase a BIOSWEEP™ unit for home or individual use?
- Does the BIOSWEEP™ process leave an odor?
- How soon after BIOSWEEP™ treatment can I re-enter?
- How do we know if it's safe to re-enter?
- Can the BIOSWEEP™ treat odors in automobiles?
- Can the BIOSWEEP™ process kill mold?
- Can the BIOSWEEP™ process get rid of animal odors?
- Can the BIOSWEEP™ process remove cooking odors?
- Can the BIOSWEEP™ process remove formaldehyde vapors?
- Can the BIOSWEEP™ process be used to sanitize a home or office following a biological incident?
- Can the BIOSWEEP™ process remove smells from clothing and furniture following a fire?
- Can the BIOSWEEP™ process eliminate odors resulting from fuel spills?
- Do your treatments come with a warranty?
- What areas do you serve?
Q: How does the BIOSWEEP™ process work?
A: Ambient air is drawn through the base of the BIOSWEEP™ unit where it is treated inside the treatment chamber and exported in the treatment vapor through the top of the unit. The BIOSWEEP unit deploys a proven technology called photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) in a five stage process to produce simultaneous, interrelated forms of oxidation to eradicate airborne organic contaminants. [top]
Q: Does the BIOSWEEP™ process use any chemicals?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process does not use any chemicals. The BIOSWEEP™ does however generate a dry vapor containing hydrogen peroxide and purified trivalent oxygen (ozone). [top]
Q: Will the BIOSWEEP™ bleach upholstery or harm fabrics?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process is compatible with most materials. It will not bleach or harm carpet, upholstery or fabrics when properly operated. Please refer to the Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatability Chart for specific materials. [top]
Q: How large an area will the BIOSWEEP™ process treat?
A: Effective treatment areas can range from the interior of a car to 8,000 square feet. Treatment times are determined by the quantity of units utilized and other factors including indoor environmental conditions (temperature and humidity), odor or contaminant source and severity, floor plan and cubic space. [top]
Q: Can the BIOSWEEP™ be operated with people or pets in the room?
A: BIOSWEEP™ units can only be safely operated in vacant or unoccupied spaces. The BIOSWEEP™ should never be operated when humans or pets are present. Operators must wear NIOSH approved half or full face piece respirators with NIOSH approved P100/Organic Vapor/Acid Gas cartridges during BIOSWEEP™ operation. [top]
Q: What are the primary uses for the BIOSWEEP™process?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process is primarily used for odor removal and/or airborne contaminant destruction. Virtually any odor or airborne contaminant can be completely eradicated with the BIOSWEEP™process. [top]
Q: How long does it take for the BIOSWEEP™ process to treat an area?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process can treat most indoor environments within 3-12 hrs. dependent upon several factors including indoor environment conditions, odor or contaminant, floor plan and cubic air space. Most vehicles can be easily treated in 1 hour. The BIOSWEEP™ process can reduce deodorization time as much as ninety-percent (90%). [top]
Q: Will it require more than one treatment?
A: A single treatment is usually sufficient to eliminate most odors caused by organic sources. Typically, an odor that returns following treatment is due to a saturated porous material in the treatment area (i.e. carpet padding, air filter, etc.) [top]
Q: Is the BIOSWEEP™ an ozone generator?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ unit produces purified trivalent oxygen, called ozone, and hydrogen peroxide within the treatment chamber. These oxyradicals are exported to attack contaminants on exposed surfaces. The BIOSWEEP™ does not use coronal discharge ozone generation which is unreliable and produces harmful and corrosive nitrogen oxides. The BIOSWEEP™ is 10x more powerful than most commercial ozone generators. [top]
Q: How much time is saved with the BIOSWEEP™process?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process can reduce deodorization time as much as ninety percent (90%) as compared to simple ozone generators. [top]
Q: Is the BIOSWEEP™ an air scrubber?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ operates at 250 CFM. It has an easily accessible HEPA filter (0.3 micron size), which traps any airborne contaminants that size or larger. [top]
Q: Why can't we breathe the BIOSWEEP™ vapor?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process produces both purified trivalent oxygen, called ozone, and hydrogen peroxide. The properties that make ozone and hydrogen peroxide powerful cleaners and disinfectants also make them dangerous to living tissues. The same chemical properties that allow high concentrations of these oxyradicals to react with organic material outside the body give them the ability to react with similar organic material that makes up the body, and potentially cause temporary harmful health consequences. When these oxyradicals come in contact with living tissues, like our lungs, they attack and damage cells lining the airways, causing swelling and inflammation, and resulting in difficult breathing. [top]
Q: Can I purchase a BIOSWEEP™ unit for home or individual use?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ is sold only to EnviroSharp™ Service Providers and qualified IAQ professionals. [top]
Q: Does the BIOSWEEP™ process leave an odor?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ produces a residual "swimming pool" or "bleach" odor that gradually subsides within 4-24 hours. [top]
Q: How soon after BIOSWEEP™ treatment can I re-enter?
A: Most treatment areas can be safely re-entered within 45 minutes to one hour following treatment. (see also How do we know when it's safe to re-enter below) [top]
Q: How do we know if it's safe to re-enter?
A: Following treatment, the technician will evaluate the treated area using sensitive vapor monitoring equipment. Most treatment areas can be safely re-entered within 45 minutes to an hour following treatment. [top]
Q: Can the BIOSWEEP™ treat odors in automobiles?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ can be easily deployed inside any vehicle. [top]
Q: Can the BIOSWEEP™ process kill mold?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ will eradicate airborne mold spores. Dead or inactive mold spores are captured in the BIOSWEEP™'s HEPA filter. [top]
Q: Can the BIOSWEEP™ process get rid of animal odors?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process will eradicate most animal odors including cat urine and skunk odor. Pretreatment of the affected areas may be required. The process can also eliminate odors from dead animals. [top]
Q: Can the BIOSWEEP™ process remove cooking odors?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process is very effective at removing cooking odors. Strong odors, such as those from curry, generally require pre-treatment. [top]
Q: Can the BIOSWEEP™ process remove formaldehyde vapors?
A: Vapors from formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound, can be effectively eliminated using the BIOSWEEP™ process. [top]
Q: Can the BIOSWEEP process be used to sanitize a home or office following a biological incident?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process is highly effective at eliminating many types of bacteria and viruses. Additional testing is currently being conducted to determine the effectiveness of the process on other agents. [top]
Q: Can the BIOSWEEP process remove smells from clothing and furniture following a fire?
A: Smoke odors in clothing and cloth furniture can usually be eliminated in one treatment, making the process ideal for content restoration. [top]
Q: Can the BIOSWEEP process eliminate odors resulting from fuel spills?
A: The BIOSWEEP™ process can effectively eliminate vapors associated with gasoline and diesel fuel spills. Organic compounds in fuel oils are broken down to non-volatile compounds during treatment. Pre-treatment with an enzyme may be necessary for treatment of spills on porous materials (i.e. concrete). [top]
Q: Do your treatments come with a warranty?
A: Yes, each treatment is backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. [top]
Q: What areas do you serve?
A: We primarily serve the areas of Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, and Bonita Springs. Service for other areas in Florida will be provided for an additional travel fee. The travel fee may be waived if multiple treatments are performed. Please see the Pricing page or contact us for details. [top]