.jpg)
.jpg)
Search
Leo International/Bio-Environment Service Technology Division, a UAE-based leading service provider in the environmental cleaning industry, is upbeat on the growth prospects in the Middle East market in general and the UAE in particular. Led by Gebran Roumie, the company has set the tone for the rest of players as it addresses key issues such as Sick Building syndrome (SBS) and Building Related Illness (BRI) in the Indoor air quality segment.
The company has emerged as a key player in indoor air purification, heating and provides ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, and hygiene maintenance in the region. It’s observed in the Gulf region over 90% percent of time is spent indoors, making the indoor air quality an unavoidable parameter for health and well being standards. Speaking to Clean Middle East, the Managing Director of the company, Roumie, said: “We’re growing at 15-20 per cent annually as against the market’s growth rate of 10-15% per annum. Still awareness about indoor air quality among people is poor. We organise seminars, media publicity to spread awareness in the region. Comparatively, the general hygiene standards in the UAE are good and the market here is very promising.” The estimated market size for air purifier segment (inclusive of air scrubber, air sanitizer and sterilizer) in the GCC countries for the year 2012 is $16.5m. The United Arab Emirates alone holds $5m estimated market size for the above mentioned products in 2012.
Effects of SBS/ BRI
Further emphasising the study carried out by WHO (World Health Oorganisation) on effects of Sick Building syndrome (SBS) and Building Related Illness (BRI), Leo International says it’s been confined to providing unmatched quality services to its customers. As we mentioned about 90 per cent of time is being spent indoor air condition environment in Gulf countries. 50 per cent of major buildings have contaminated air conditioning, heating, ventilation systems. The WHO study further identified that about 40 per cent of building occupants suffer from such symptoms. All buildings are at least slightly polluted with chemical aerosols.
The SBS symptoms include acute discomfort, headache, watery eyes, nose/throat irritation, dry cough, etc. The impact of SBS on health is further evident that most of complaints report relief soon after leaving the air contaminated building. The symptoms of BRI are cough, muscle aches, fever, etc. When symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants or out gassing of some types of building materials are identified, one can say it is the effect of BRI. Considering the significance of health standards in an air-conditioned environment, the company advocates for making HVAC duct cleaning at regular intervals as mandatory.
According to rough estimate, residents of GCC are exposed to over 12,000 litres of unfiltered air on an average every day. The typical desert weather conditions and frequent sandstorms are the major reasons for this. Hence, the air in the Gulf Region is full of dust, bacteria, viruses, pollen, mould spores and microbes. “That’s the reason we want indoor air purification should be made mandatory for all. However, this is not yet passed as law, but I believe it will be a reality in the near future. All five-star hotels, major establishments of good reputation have internal quality standards and parameters to carry out HVAC duct cleaning at periodical intervals and to install indoor air quality enhancing equipment,” said Roumie. Roumie further added that he sees three major problems taking place in indoor air quality. Mold, fungi and microbial being the first major problem, then volatile organic compound (VOC), which emerges from deteriorating building material, third problem is dust and suspended particles becomes a hub for micro organisms.
“We are early entrants in the region to commence indoor air quality service with unmatched quality standards and stand among the pioneers. It’s very important to have HVAC ducts cleansed at regular intervals to ensure fresh and healthy air circulating indoors. We have over 500 clients from the UAE alone on our books and 100 more from Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, etc. Our customers are mostly from hospitality, malls, aviation, marine, food manufacturers, large catering companies, office and residential buildings,” adds Roumie. Leo International’s Indoor air Quality division process of cleaning an air condition (A/C) duct involves three phases. First it does inspection and then takes up cleaning part incorporating High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA). Later, GelAir and Airgenic applications take place to ensure natural fresh Indoor air.
“However, the world is not moving towards high quality standards in indoor air quality as it should be. Clean AC ducts will ease pressure on fans, blowers and the fan coil unit reducing the energy consumption. Before constructing a building, designing part is very important as it should be in such a way that free flow of air inside and outside of the building is ensured. Bad design would cause imbalance of indoor and outdoor air thus causing sweating on grills and into the surrounding surfaces causing mold, fungus, and microbial spread, etc,” emphasises Roumie. According to a study on Asthma in 2012 by the Emirates Respiratory Society, one in eight adults in the UAE suffers from chronic respiratory conditions. Invisible airborne microbes in the indoor air smaller than 0.3 microns would cause respiratory problems such as Asthma. Airgenic /Bioklimatik is an air sterilizer installed in the duct for enhancing oxygen quality in the air. Leo International is the sole distributor of this German technology and produced in Norway for the Middle East market. Airgenic /Bioklimatik is a very successful product that not only kills bacteria, mold and viruses, but it also eliminates the foul odour and brings in fresh air.
And more importantly it doesn’t cause ozone depletion. “Our uncompromised quality service also ensures our customers fresh natural air inside of building,” as well as our HEPA filtration process ensures removal of suspended particles upto 99.97 per cent in the air claims Roumie. In parallel to above technology Leo International/Bio Environment service technology is also the sole agent for Gel Air in the GCC. Gelair is a patented system, using a specially formulated gel matrix (block) that is placed in an air handling unit (AHU), where it releases specific concentrations of top quality Australian tea tree oil vapour throughout the air conditioning system. Tea tree oil (a 100% natural essential oil) is a broad spectrum antimicrobial and anti-fungal agent.
Australian grown and distilled tea tree oil is the main ingredient in Gelair. “We use only the finest tea tree oil in our products, with every batch meticulously tested for quality. A powerful and natural product, tea tree oil eradicates mould, bacteria and viruses. These nasties thrive in areas affected by moisture condensation such as air-conditioning units, bathrooms and kitchens. Condensation is a problem in hot and humid climates as well as cold and damp climates,” adds Roumie. Certifications in quality parameters in the environmental cleaning industry, Leo International/Bio Environmental Service Technology claims to be the sole company adhering to all these types of quality certifications. It has been certified by Bureau Veritas ISO 9001 management and 14001 environmental quality certifications, National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), Environment, Health and safety (EHS), International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA), Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) as well as International Sanitary Suppliers’ Association (ISSA).
“We’re the only company in the UAE and the GCC that meets all the above certifications in quality parameters in the environmental cleaning industry,” said Roumie. Another important feature at Leo International/bio environment service technology is robotic duct cleaning that the company uses it for cleaning large ducts. Robotic applications allow cleaning in sections up to 200 feet to 400 feet long ducts. Otherwise between access openings such as pre-existing fire-damper doors or other access openings such as those required for manual cleaning and spraying of turning veins. “We use a camera-fitted robotic cleaner for cleaning big ducts. It’s more effective and significantly reduces the man power,” adds Roumie.
Leo International/ Bio Environment Service Technology strives and thrives to initiate and deliver environment and eco-friendly cleaning service which nurtures the environment including the indoor air quality solutions with most professional and well trained hygiene technicians. “Be aware, be green. Care is the mantra for the success of our company,” says Roumie.
