Panasonic Demonstrates that the Air Purifying Technology using Electrostatic Atomized Water Particles Can Keep a Dog's Skin and Hair Healthy

Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation today announced that tests carried out with air purifying technology using nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles^(*1) produced by applying high voltage to water have suggested that the technology can keep a dog's skin and hair healthy. This demonstration was achieved through collaboration with Professor Toshiroh Iwasaki, Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.

Japan is now in the midst of a pet boom. A public opinion survey shows that 34.2%^(*2) of respondents have a pet, and other research shows that 72%^(*3) of pet owners keep their pets indoors. Like humans, pets can suffer from allergy symptoms caused by house dust and other allergens. A questionnaire survey shows that skin disease, including allergic and atopic dermatitis, is the most common disease in dogs, making up about 40%^(*4) of all cases.

With the help of families with a dog diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, Panasonic Ecology Systems Co., Ltd., a Panasonic group company, conducted a four-week test at each family residence, continuously operating an air purifier in the room where the dog was mainly kept to demonstrate the effects of the air purifying technology on their dog's skin and hair.
The effects were assessed using a clinical scoring system^(*5) called CADESI (Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index)^(*6), which was developed for veterinarians to assess dermatitis. The joint assessment with Professor Iwasaki showed that the clinical score after the test was lower than that before the test, suggesting that the air purifying technology using nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles can keep a dog's skin and hair healthy.

The research results will be presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Board of Veterinary Practitioners held in Hotel New Otani Tokyo on September 28 to 30, 2012.

• Five families with a dog diagnosed with atopic dermatitis
• Assessment using the clinical scoring system: Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

■ Test method
An air purifier using nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles was operated in the indoor space where the dog was mainly kept. The clinical scores before and after four weeks of operation were compared.

■ Test results
It was shown that the clinical score decreased.

■ Test details

1. Four-week continuous operation test of the air purifying technology using nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles

Air purifiers were continuously operated for four weeks in the indoor space where the dogs were mainly kept. It was suggested that the clinical score would decrease.

• Test space: The room where the dogs are mainly kept in each family's house
• Operation method: One air purifier was installed in the test space and operated for four weeks.
• Assessment items: Veterinarians assessed the clinical score of the dermatitis symptoms before operating the test purifier and after four weeks of operation.

• After four weeks, the clinical scores of all five assessed dogs were lower than those before operating the purifiers.

2. Test of effects of nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles on dog skin and hair

The device to generate nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles was operated for one hour about one meter from healthy dogs kept indoors. It was shown that the transepidermal water losses (TEWL)^(*7) from the thigh and groin areas decreased and the gloss levels^(*8) of those areas increased.

• Operation method: The test equipment was placed facing the dogs, and operated for one hour about one meter from the dogs.
• Assessment items: Transepidermal water losses (TEWL) and the gloss levels of the thigh area, which is covered with hair, and groin area, which has little hair, were measured before and after operating the test equipment.

• The transepidermal water losses (TEWL) of the thigh area significantly decreased, and the gloss level of the same area significantly increased.

■ Comment from Professor Iwasaki, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

Nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles covered the dog's skin and hair, preventing water from evaporating from the skin or hair. This is considered to be the reason of the decrease in TEWL. The test results suggest the possibility that the technology has effects on the barrier functions of a dog's skin and hair, which are expected to keep a dog's skin and hair healthy.

■ Profile of Professor Iwasaki, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

Toshiroh Iwasaki: Professor, Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine; Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

• Profile:
  Graduated from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture; Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.
  Has experience as a veterinarian in the Kobe Hirao Animal Hospital; a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Stanford University; an associate professor in the Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Northwestern University; and an associate professor and a professor in the Animal Medical Center, Gifu University.
  Has been in his current position since 1999.
• Member of:
  World Association of Veterinary Dermatology, The Japanese Society of Antimicrobials for Animals, Japanese Society of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Japanese Society of Veterinary Science, Asian College of Veterinary Dermatology, Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology, Japanese Dermatological Association, Japanese College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Asian Society of Veterinary Dermatology, Japanese Society of Veterinary Dermatology, and American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products in three business fields, consumer, components & devices, and solutions. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.85 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2012. Panasonic's stock is listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) Stock Exchanges. The company has the vision of becoming the No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry by the 100th year of its founding in 2018. For more information on Panasonic, its brand and commitment to sustainability, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.