Services
Surveys and site analysis
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chxair identifies the presence of pathogens in a building by taking measured air samples within areas of risk using Thermo Scientific™ AerosolSense™ sampling, a pathogen surveillance solution designed to deliver timely and highly reliable insight into in-air pathogen presence for monitoring and improving facility safety protocols. Samples are laboratory tested using Q-PCR analytics to provide highly accurate results, identifying the presence and nature of specific viruses thus enabling appropriate intervention measures.
Mobile or deployed atmospheric monitoring
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Testing can be provided by our mobile technicians as a one-off service following a potential outbreak, or as a continuous monitoring programme using deployed of air sampling systems.
Effectiveness of ventilation systems
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Quality of airflow and ventilation is an important factor of limiting the exposure of individuals to a virus within a confined area. chxair can identify the effectiveness of ventilation by time-sequenced ‘before and after’ testing of the atmosphere.
Diagnostics
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Where a positive sample is identified chxair provides technical support to eliminate risk, testing of individuals that may have been exposed, help protecting employees and communities while maintaining business continuity.
Pairing CO2 sensors with the AerosolSense Sampler: A layered approach
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it has become clear that we cannot rely on only one layer of protection to safeguard public health. It will take a combination of layered tools to combat viruses like SARS-CoV-2. Facilities can choose from masking, surface cleaning, social distancing, individual testing, and other methods. It is important to evaluate the strategy that has been put in place and to ask, “Has the right combination been implemented?” and “Is it proving to be effective?” Monitoring pathogens in the air can provide the answers to those questions.
Implementing a layered strategy
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Keeping indoor air safe requires multiple layers of tools, each with its own strengths. The weaknesses of any single tool can be offset by the strengths of another tool of intervention. Consider, for example, the effectiveness of the following layers working together:
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Environmental surveillance paired with PCR
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Testing: Individual screening/Asymptomatic
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Masks
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Social distancing
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Ventilation
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Disinfecting
Many European countries are using CO2 sensors to monitor indoor ventilation. The amount of carbon dioxide indicates how much or how little ventilation is in an indoor space. We know that COVID-19 is spread through airborne aerosols that an infected person releases by talking, sneezing, laughing, and coughing, and that it can linger in the air over time. If ventilation in a space is poor, the air could contain any number of pathogens, including Flu A/B, SARS-CoV-2, and/or RSV. Does improving the ventilation mean the air is safe? Is it enough?
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If a layered approach is implemented that includes the Thermo ScientificTM AerosolSenseTM Sampler alongside a CO2 sensor, then a high CO2 reading could serve as an alert to run the AerosolSense Sampler to find out what exactly is in the poorly-ventilated air. Or provide early insight into airborne pathogen presence to indicate the need for increased ventilation. The AerosolSense Sampler paired with the gold standard of testing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), identifies Flu A/B, SARS-CoV-2, and/or RSV and is highly sensitive. In such a case, the technologies work together to create a risk mitigation strategy that is more robust. Utilizing a CO2 sensor on its own may not provide the information needed to make better risk assessments. Together they can help identify high risk areas and potential spread.