Innovation Partners for Aerobiology & Biomedical Research

Gabriel Scientific, in conjunction with airmid healthgroup, launched The Pillow Check Up 2013 on RTE Radio 1’s The Mooney Show on the 17th of April.

Listeners were invited to send their pillows for analysis at airmid healthgroup’s laboratories to measure the levels of mould, allergens and bacteria present in pillows around Ireland. The results revealed that one third of pillows sampled had evidence of dust mite allergen. All of the pillows were found to harbour bacteria, just under a third of which at high levels, while half contained detectable levels of mould. A variety of mould and bacterial species were identified including Candida, Aspergillus, Rhodoltorula, and Streptococcus.

AHG are pleased to welcome Feargus O’Flaherty to the science team on a 3 month work placement module from NUIM. Feargus is a 4th year undergraduate studying a BSc. in Biotechnology. While at AHG, Feargus will be involved in research and development with Dr. Natasha Gordon, R&D manager.

AHG are delighted to take part in this scheme with NUIM and further extend our collaborations with Universities in Ireland. Work placement in a Third Level Program is an essential part of a student’s pathway into an industry such as AHG. As a leading biomedical organisation the student gains experience in a real-life working environment helping companies to develop & differentiate their products and services through data generated in the field, environmental chambers and the laboratory.

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Research into indoor health announced during networking event with Irish PM.

President Obama had his traditional annual meeting with Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, during a St. Patrick's Day visit in Washington DC. A large number of Irish-American trade related events took place around the visit to highlight the recovery of the Irish economy, with particular focus on the growth of the med-tech and biomedical research sectors with American companies in Ireland.

airmid healthgroup (AHG) was pleased to be among those attending the events. At a business networking lunch Dr John McKeon, Co-Founder of airmid healthgroup was delighted to introduce Joseph Gargiulo representing Stanley Steemer, to the Prime Minister and announce further research in the area of indoor aerobiology and indoor health. A recent airmid study involving Stanley Steemer was presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). The study found the Stanley Steemer deep cleaning process was proven to remove up to 97 percent of surface allergens. The study evaluated air and surface samples taken before and after hot water extraction in 20 U.S. homes. Additional findings revealed successful removal of 67 percent of airborne cat allergens as well. “This scientifically confirms what we’ve heard anecdotally from our customers with allergies and asthma for years,” said Justin Bates, president of Stanley Steemer, “and we are excited about moving into phase two of our research.”

DUBLIN, IRELAND and WASHINGTON, DC and MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA and SEATTLE, WA, Mar 18 (Marketwire)

This week, at events in cities from coast-to-coast, Irish Government officials, including Prime Minister (An Taoiseach) Enda Kenny, will reinforce and promote Ireland's ties with its largest trading partner, the U.S. The ties continue to strengthen. As their businesses expand in the U.S., Ireland-based companies are broadening their footprint and boosting headcount. Today, Ireland is the 14th largest investor in the U.S., with 300 Irish companies across all 50 states collectively employing more than 82,000 Americans. The investment flows both ways. U.S. companies continued to select Ireland as their European hub last year, while many existing corporate tenants expanded their Irish operations. In total, more than 600 U.S. companies have a presence on the island.

Washington, D.C., Silicon Valley and Seattle will anchor the Prime Minister's agenda. Coordinating several events on the itinerary is Enterprise Ireland, the government agency responsible for the development and internationalization of Irish enterprises.

Dr. Bruce Mitchell, CEO of airmid healthgroup, was delighted to present a talk entitled “Exposure to Indoor Air Contaminants in the Workplace” at the 22nd Annual Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland conference held in Co. Limerick. In his talk Dr. Mitchell addressed many of the key elements that need to be taken into account to ensure the quality of indoor air in offices.

As we spend approximately 90% of our lives indoors, it has been shown that poor indoor air quality may have a drastic effect on one’s health and wellbeing. This frequently manifests itself through decreased productivity and increased absenteeism due to illness and general disquiet in the workforce. Taken together, these issues can have major financial and operational implications for employers and facilities management contractors.

The only way to prevent this is through correct workplace cleaning and monitoring of the key parameters that have been shown to effect air quality. The Health Friendly Air programme has been developed by airmid healthgroup in order to meet the need for employers to understand the potential issues in the quality of the air that their staff are exposed to, thus enabling preventative actions and remediation where necessary. The Health Friendly Air approach is to monitor the biological, physical, chemical, and gaseous parameters that are present. The findings from measuring these parameters are compared to international standards and best practice limits where applicable. This multifactorial approach allows for the detection of air contaminants and enables the interpretation of these findings for the purpose of a comprehensive report.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) is a professional organization, with nearly 7000 members in over 60 countries, that represents those focused on the research and treatment of allergic disease. 

The 2013 AAAAI annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas (February 22^nd-26^th) provided a world-class educational and scientific program. Researchers from around the world presented more than 800 abstracts covering a wide range of asthma/immunology topics.

airmid healthgroup attended the meeting to present the results of our latest study: “Reduction of Domestic Allergen Levels in Carpets and Soft Furnishings in US Homes Using a Proprietary Hot Water Extraction Cleaning Process” (1). This research measured the impact of a professional steam cleaning process on allergens and microorganisms in the home. To do this, airmid healthgroup researchers monitored air and surfaces in 20 Ohio homes before and after steam cleaning was carried out on carpets and soft furnishings. After the field study was complete, cleaned and uncleaned carpet samples were transported to airmid healthgroup’s environmental test chambers for further analysis. The results of the study showed that hot water extraction cleaning removed up to 97% of surface allergens, and reduced airborne cat allergen by 67%. In addition there was a 90% reduction of bacteria on carpet surfaces and airborne mold levels were reduced by 55%.

Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland 22nd Annual Conference, 20th and 21st February 201.

Dr Bruce Mitchell CEO of airmid healthgroup was delighted to present a talk entitled “Exposure to Indoor Air Contaminants in the Workplace” at the 22nd Annual Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland conference held in Co. Limerick. In his talk Dr Mitchell addressed many of the key elements that need to be taken into account in insuring the quality of indoor air in offices.

As we spend approximately 90% of our lives indoors it has been shown that poor indoor air quality may have a drastic effect on one’s health and wellbeing. This frequently manifests itself through decreased productivity and increased absenteeism due to illness and general disquiet in the workforce. Taken together, these issues can have major financial and operational implications for employers and facilities management contractors. The only way to prevent this is through correct workplace cleaning and monitoring of the key parameters which have been shown to effect air quality.

It’s the time of year again for the American Academy of Asthma Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting in San Antonio Texas (February 22-26). The meeting will be attended by more than 7,700 allergist/immunologists, related physicians, and industry representatives.

Following on from our presentation at the meeting last year, the airmid research team will again be travelling to the USA to present biomedical research data related to indoor air quality and health. The exciting research which is sure to stimulate some interesting debate is embargoed until after it has been presented. We will however be making some of the details public after the event. Click here for details.

The analysis of the samples again utilized the airmid allergen analysis facility, the only one of its type in the world with ISO 17025 accreditation. As a world leading biomedical research organisation, airmid help clients across a number of sectors improve, add value and differentiate their customer offerings through a focus on biomedical data, health impact claims and air quality.

The neighbourhood bordering the Grand Canal Docks in Dublin where airmid healthgroup's facilities are based has become a hub of start ups, entrepreneurs, tech giants, and innovation, leading to it becoming known as “Silicon Docks”.  Following in the footsteps of Google & Facebook, a myriad of leading international companies and investors are being attracted to the area. 

Figures from Ireland’s Industrial Development Authority, (the “IDA”) show that in 2012, 140 foreign companies either expanded or launched in Ireland.  One of the principal reasons that companies invest in Ireland is access to skilled labour.  In a recent Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report commissioned by Citibank, Dublin ranked first for “human capital” in their Global City Competitiveness Index. 

Ireland has a rich history of achievements in science and technology and continues to invest in world class research institutes and universities.  CRANN, a nanoscience institute and neighbour to airmid healthgroup on Trinity College’s Enterprise Campus, recently secured a lead role in the Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Graphene Flagship project. The EU Commission has committed €1 billion to this project, the largest ever research project funded in the history of the European Union.

airmid enjoyed a highly successful few days attending the Heimtextil Trade Fair in Frankfurt, Germany. As always it was an extremely impressive trade fair with a vast array of exhibitors from all around the world in the enormous trade fair centre that is Messe Frankfurt.

airmid healthgroup's mission is to help our clients with products and services for the built environment to improve their customer offerings through health related innovations and marketing. As textiles in bedding, floor coverings and soft furnishings contribute hugely to the built environment, this is a key trade show for us.

Textiles can have an enormous impact on the chemical emissions in the indoor environment as well as the ability to reduce exposure to indoor particulates including airborne pathogens and aeroallergens. OEKO-TEX certification was very well represented, particularly in the bedding hall, which is of benefit in controlling chemicals in textiles. A number of clients displayed textile products with claims relevant to indoor health such as allergen filtration efficacy and antibacterial properties. However there appeared to be little standardisation to the various claims. airmid had a number successful meetings looking at regulations, certification testing and claim verification with a number of bedding groups across the natural and synthetic sectors.