Sep 25, 2006

Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Akira Kadota, International PR
 Tel: +81-3-3578-1237  Fax: +81-3-3436-6766
Panasonic News Bureau
 Tel: +81-3-3542-6205  Fax: +81-3-3542-9018

Panasonic Validates Bird Flu Virus-Inhibiting Effect of
"Super Alleru-Buster" Filters

- Applying technology proven by joint research with Tottori University to air purifiers -




Tokyo, Japan - Panasonic, the leading brand for which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, today announced its environment-related subsidiary, Matsushita Ecology Systems Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Tottori University, has validated the bird flu virus-inhibiting effect of filters incorporating 'Super Alleru-Buster'. Known to be effective in inactivating SARS and other viruses, allergens, and fungi, this anti-allergen material has been incorporated into filters for air treatment equipment such as air purifiers. The research evidence confirms that Super Alleru-Buster is the first material applied to precipitator (air cleaning) systems to be highly effective in inhibiting bird flu.

Tottori University Professor, Toshihiro Ito, D.V.M., Ph.D., Director of the bird flu virus research group that worked with Panasonic, said, "It is significant that we have proven the effectiveness of this substance in reducing the effects of bird flu and that such materials are used universally in common air treatment products."

"Incorporated into filters, the Super Alleru-Buster can help create cleaner and healthier environments by removing bird flu, SARS, influenza and other viruses from the air," said Minoru Kagotani, Director of Environment System & Solution Division at Matsushita Ecology Systems Co., Ltd. "These filters also inhibit many allergens, thereby reducing the incidence of allergic diseases such as hay fever and bronchial asthma. Since the Super Alleru-Buster material can be applied to other components, we intend to expand its use to products which do not contain filters."

According to the test and evaluation jointly executed by Panasonic and Tottori University, 99.999% of the bird flu virus was inhibited after a ten-minute contact. The percentage was derived from three experiments that brought the filters into contact with the bird flu virus, and testing how the growth of the virus was affected by injecting the virus extracts into eggs. (See reference 3 for details)

Since viruses are considered to be carried by air-borne dust, it is presumed that filters that capture such dust particles are effective in inhibiting viruses. With the Super Alleru-Buster material incorporated in filters, the air treatment products are effective in inhibiting the various viruses and allergens carried through air-borne dust.

Panasonic has incorporated the Super Alleru-Buster into its various air treatment products such as air purifiers and dehumidifiers introduced in the Asian market starting 2004.

Reference 1:
Highly effective against bird flu viruses: inhibits 99.999 percent after ten minutes contact
Filters incorporating Super Alleru-Buster were confirmed to reduce bird flu viral infectivity by 99.999 percent after ten minutes.

[Source: Tottori University]       

By combining the company's various materials with antiallergenic, antivirus, or antimicrobial effects, Panasonic has achieved the synergy effect of inhibiting bird flu viruses.

Reference 2:
Inhibits bird flu viruses as well as influenza and SARS viruses, for which Super Alleru-Buster filters have already proven effective.
Panasonic's filters incorporating Super Alleru-Buster consist of filter substrates to which an evenly applied composite material composed of anti allergenic, antivirus, or antimicrobial effect such as phenolic polymer or low-molecular polyphenolic material has been added. The composite material is proven highly effective in inactivating influenza and SARS viruses, fungi, microbes, and other allergens. In collaboration with Tottori University, it has been proven that Panasonic's air filters with Super Alleru-Buster are effective in inhibiting bird flu viruses. When the virus comes in contact with the filter, the Phenolic OH (Antivirus and antiallergenic part of phenolic materials) encircles and coats the viruses thus inhibiting the viruses.

Diagram showing the mechanism of Phenolic OH inhibiting the virus

Reference 3: Testing Method

Filters incorporating Super Alleru-Buster were brought into contact with bird flu viruses for ten minutes. Virus inhibition was determined by means of embryonated egg injection and erythrocyte agglutination.

1. A piece of the filter - either a filter incorporating Super Alleru-Buster or a non-processed filter - and a solution containing viruses are placed into the same bag for contact for ten minutes.
2. The solution is extracted.
3. The solution is injected into the chorioallantoic cavity of embryonated eggs (10 days old)
4. Embryonated eggs are incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for two days.
5. After incubation, the allantoic fluid is extracted and blended with the hen's erythrocyte.
6. Virus inhibition is indicated by negative erythrocyte agglutination

Reference 4:
The latest test results add to the lineup of the effects to inhibit various viruses and allergens. Panasonic has collaborated with various research institutes, such as Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences for influenza viruses, Japan Food Research Laboratories for true fungi and microbes, Osaka Municipal Technical Research Institute and University of Edinburgh for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, testing supervision by Nara Medical University for various pollens.

About Panasonic
Best known by its Panasonic brand name, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of US$76.02 billion for the year ended March 31, 2006. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:MC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.


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