Could ETQ's share price be soon to benefit from their developments with the new UVGI Nightingale Mobile Air Filtration Product.

New UVGI air filtration product

In November 2002, the ETQ announced its new Nightingale UVGI air filtration product, to be produced by a new joint-venture company, UVGI Systems Limited, owned 55% by the Group and 45% by Suvair Limited. This rapid response mobile air filtration unit is capable of killing the MRSA super bug and other airborne pathogens.

The UVGI unit has widespread application where there is need to keep
air free of dangerous live bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores, including
hospitals, schools, cruise liners, aircraft, food processing, and military
applications.

The UVGI unit uses a high intensity Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation ('UVGI')
filter, which has been designed to control harmful and dangerous airborne
pathogens, such as Anthrax, Tuberculosis, and Staphylococcus aureus, the
causative agent in MRSA. The filtration system is combined with use of high
intensity Ultra Violet light, which inactivates micro organisms by disrupting
their DNA structure.

Tests of a prototype at the Defence Science Technology Laboratory ('Dstl') at
Porton Down, the centre for excellence for the Ministry of Defence, showed that
the UVGI unit captured and/or destroyed more than 99.9% of Bacillus subtilis
spores, a simulant for Anthrax bacteria.

Since November, second generation units have been developed, which will go on
applications testing at an NHS Trust Hospital in December 2003, following
building completion of its new haematology unit. It is also anticipated the
UVGI unit will shortly go on laboratory testing in the United States with
contractors nominated by the Department of Homeland Security.

Concern seems to be hotting up on the T.V. news that the MRSA super bug is still killing and disabling people visiting or as patients in NH Trust hospitals. It would be surprising if NH Trust hospital do not notice and Buy this product before they get to many expensive law suits for compensation claims.

Definitely a stock that could soon be heading north. Worth buying in but DYOR

L.

RELATED NEWS LINKS

Sky News Sun 28th Sept 03 - NEW ANTIBIOTICS WARNING
BBC World News Thurs 4th December 03 - Hospital infections: Case studies
BBC World News Fri 5th Dec 03 - 'Superbug' crackdown is launched
BBC World News Monday 22nd Dec 03 - Superbugs lurk in intensive care
Sky News Sun 14th Dec 03 - SUPERBUG CARRIED BY PETS
BBC World News Thurs 26th Feb 04 - Superbug deaths increase 15-fold
BBC World News Mon 22nd March 04 - MRSA superbug hits more children
BBC World News Fri 2nd April 04 - Superbug outbreak in cardiac ward
BBC World News Thurs 8th April 04 - NHS faces superbug legal claims
BBC World News Sun 6th June 04 - Government 'complacent' over MRSA
BBC World News Fri 18th June 04 - Superbug deaths 'set to double'
BBC World News Thurs 1st July 04 - Holland's tough line combats MRSA
BBC World News Thurs 1st July 04 - Overcrowded hospitals breed MRSA
ITV.com Fri 9th July 04 - Mother's MRSA nightmare
ITV.com Fri 9th July 04 - 'MRSA superbug has done this to me'
ITV.com Fri 9th July 04 - Precautions you can take against MRSA
Sky News Sun 11th July 04 - WAR DECLARED ON MRSA
BBC UK News Mon 12th July 04 - Drive to fight hospital superbugs

Just found a site advertising the "Nightingale"

www.uvgi.com.hk/

click "products" and scroll down.

Interesting !

Apple,

Those lease costs are going to severely hinder this, if they are correct!

30,000 to protect 1 room for 5 years seems somewhat OTT!

I can't see any great future if those costs are correct.
Are you sure?

I phoned them & asked about the costs.

DYOR, I did.

It seems that you were surprised by the costs even though I mentioned them in message 29.

If the share suddenly goes up a bit then it will just be hype, it will come down again when people realise this.

18% Spread on this share so it has got to go up a lot just for you to break even.

Product Info
http://www.energytechniqueplc.co.uk/admin/upload/files/pdf/brochure3.pdf

Apple I think you are wrong and have also contacted them ! If this is the new Nightingale unit how could you get a price for a unit that has not undergone field trials and is not commercially available ?

I am not sure what line of work peope are in, I myself am an Architect, and although I can see that 30,000 sounds alot of money, if you have any knowledge of the cost of 'ordinary' air handling equipment you will see that 6000 a year may not sound too bad. The issue is not about 1 room but rather the rate and volume of air filtration. The fact that the unit is portable is also significant. As with all new technology initial prices are high until supply is ramped up once demand can be accuratley assessed.

Clearly the price is sensitive dependant on who is the purchaser, governments, health services will tend to be cornered into paying for items due to public demands for the benefits and particularly in the US where the fear of litigation is primary - sue the hospital for $500 million because they didnt have sufficient protection with an available system and i got sick....'

The site above seems to have a number of uvgi systems, no clear mention of manufacturers in my brief look, how unique is the etq/suvair product?

We are all awaiting clear information from the company to give a clear perspective of prospects for the company..and the share price....lets see....

GN

thanks for the link apple, just read through the brochure.....interesting

moneyman,

I phoned them & they gave me the mobile number of the salesman, his name is Joe Tufo.

He gave me those figures for the Nightingale.

If you phone the sales number, they don't give you prices on this yet but will pass you on to Joe Tufo who deals with it.

BTW, he didn't use words such as "approximately" or "about"
he said that the costs were 6000/year.

Soooooooo, how can I be wrong about the cost?

Phone him yourself!

Don't bother with email, use the phone!

apple how can he quote you when the unit has not passed field trials and is not available !! Does not make sense i think you would agree ?

moneyman,

Big Customers like the NHS are evaluating it so it is available.

They have also got some others that are not being evaluated & can be delivered in 2 weeks. Joe Tufo of ETQ said 2 weeks.

Are they available in quantity?

I doubt if they would answer that question.
I doubt if they are, this is the beginning of production.

Anyway, at 6000/Year, I suggest that the demand for large quantities won't be there.

IMHO, the real purpose of this product is to get the technology known & evaluated in the NHS & other large customers as a way in to selling large air conditioning systems with the UVGI technology.

The large systems are where the real money is BUT this is going to take TIME.

So this is going to be a Long Term Investment & of course, like any other, it may not succeed.


The rest of their business is not UVGI & seems rather unexciting.
Don't forget, at the moment, the rest of their business is the business.


It seems that you still don't believe me about the price.
Why bother arguing with me, just pick up the phone & ask ETQ.

jonathen - 21 Jan'04 - 20:46 - 679 of 679


Received an e-mail today from Joe Tufo, timed at 17.04, it reads...

Dear A

As prevoiusly explained, the situation with the Nightingale is potentially price sensitive. I can confirm that the first units have now been supplied to the Hospital and have been well recieved. Further releases will be issued and authorised by the chairman at a point in the next couple of months.

I trust this will provide sufficient information, thank you for your interest.



Regards


Joseph Tufo
Managing Director UVGI Systems LTD


That is the message word for word....it states that units have been well recieved....and IMO he has confirmed that an RNS or news on their web site will be issued if and when appropriate within the next two months, this is earlier than I expected.

This has boosted my confidence somewhat.


Cheers

Has anyone found out which NHS hospital the Nightingale units are in? This could be fantastic if the RNS is released in the next two months with initial results from trials showing that the UVGI air sanitation units are eliminating MRSA and other viruses or bacteria from killing and disabling patients and visitors.

Once this news is out to this effect it will hit the National Press & TV. Whats more, if any other hospital in the world reports an MRSA or SARS outbreak in one of their patients or visitors, knowing that this technology is available and would have prevented any infection had it been used, then their legal cost would far outwiegh the cost of a lease and maintenance contract.

There was a report on Central News tonight about the New Birmingham hospital due in 2008. It claimed the hospital would boast a brand new air circulation system the would help to combat airbourne viruses. There can't be too many options for a contract of that size, and the NHS are testing the units at Basingstoke at the moment.

Regards, Rocky

New Birmingham hospital - has to be ETQ's UVGI technology - must be the RNS we are expecting within the next two months.

Legins, the interesting thing about the Birmingham Hospital Central News item yesterday, was the fact that they showed a picture of a new ward with the air treatment system apparently in place (this was when they mentioned that the system was designed to reduce hospital infections.) The question is, was that a mock up of what the ward will look like, or the system already in place in an existing new ward in another hospital? Anyway nice to see the pick up in price today?

Regards, Rocky

http://www.e4engineering.com/item.asp?id=50941&type=News&pub=eng

Confident rumour on rival board that a 4,000,000 placing with institutions has taken place.

If that is correct the institutions must very confident in the future of ETQ.


cheers

Global Nomad Thursday 10:36
Subject: Info from the web Opinion Weak BUY Recommendations This message has been recommended once Message

Some further information on the trials / commercialisation that I found today whilst trying to dig out some info......


News

From The Engineer, 12 January 2004, in Home

On the Web

Medical
Health & Safety
Warding off airborne germs
A UK hospital is to test ultraviolet air-cleansing technology following a deal between the NHS and the Surrey company that developed the system and is now attempting to commercialise it.
Energy Technique said the unnamed hospital would fit two filtration units equipped with the technology, called UVGI, in its A& E department.
UVGI uses a combination of advanced filtration and UV light to eradicate hard-to-kill airborne microbes such as the MRSA 'superbug' - currently the cause of much concern in the NHS.
The same hospital is expected to begin trials of two further units - branded Nightingale for sale into the healthcare system - in its isolation ward next autumn.
The pilot installation is an important step toward establishing the technology in the NHS, a task that Energy Technique admitted was 'proving far more difficult and protracted than anticipated'.
The company spent 2003 developing Nightingale, adding more powerful UV lamps and functions such as remote monitoring via GSM wireless link. It hopes the system will soon be able to create a sanitised micro-climate around individual hospital beds, providing a bug-free environment for particular patients without the need to equip the whole ward with the system.
Commercialisation of UVGI began in 2002 following successful tests of the system at the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down. Energy Technique is the majority partner in a joint venture called UVGI Systems, set up to develop and market the technology.
Other potential applications for UVGI include installation on trains, aircraft and boats.
The system is highly efficient at killing anthrax, according to its developers, and could be used to limit the effects of bio-terrorism attacks.
A positive outcome from the NHS pilot would be a major boost to Energy Technique, which has had its cash reserves sapped by the costs of developing the system.
The company's situation was not helped by a sharp downturn in its wider environmental control markets which suffered the knock-on effects of a slump in construction projects during the Iraq conflict.
However, the potential of UVGI has convinced Energy Technique to launch an air treatment division. This will develop systems and look for new opportunities to apply ultraviolet technology within the commercial air treatment market.
The company said it will look to raise extra capital to allow it to fully develop the products in the air treatment division.

more info from the web

A sample of the other UVGI results on the web.

NOTE this does not refer to ETQ and it appears UVGI has been around for decades....so ETQ are maybe doing it better but it is not neccesarily as unique and open market as thought. customers will need convincing that this system is more effective than previous and presumably worth the extra cost.

from the WEB

Edd Helms is Your
Indoor Air Quality Specialist!
Edd Helms Air Conditioning Protects your Home or Office from Airborne Bacteria



Most air conditioning systems recirculate the air in your home or office about 80 times a day. Edd Helms Air Conditioning can install a UVGI air purification system into your central air conditioner to help protect your family and employees from airborne diseases. UVGI has been used for years in the food industry to kill bacteria, and it was recently mentioned in many national anthrax news stories.

UVGI Frequently Asked Questions

Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THE EDD HELMS TECHNICIAN TO INSTALL MY UVGI SYSTEM?
A: Most installations for central air conditioners up to 5 tons are normally completed within 4 hours. For larger central systems, installation times will vary, but most can be completed within several days.

Q: HOW MUCH DOES THE COMPLETE UVGI SYSTEM COST TO INSTALL?
A: Over the phone prices start at $697 for central air conditioners up to 5 tons. Prices for larger systems vary depending on the size of the central air conditioner.

Q: HOW DO I PLACE MY ORDER AND MAKE AN INSTALLATION APPOINTMENT?
A: Complete our on-line order form or call us at 1-800-329-2530 and tell us when you would like your system installed. We accept all major credit cards.

Q: WHO IS EDD HELMS AIR CONDITIONING?
A: We are a division of the Edd Helms Group who, for the past 27 years has served South Florida with air conditioning, electrical, and data communications services. Our thousands of satisfied of residential and commercial customers are evidence of our commitment to customer satisfaction.-

Q: WHAT IS A UVGI AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
A: UVGI is the abbreviation for Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation. The use of UVGI for the sterilization of microorganisms has been studied since the 1930's. Microbes are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of light at wavelengths at or near 253.7 nanometers (UV-C germicidal) due to the resonance of this wavelength with the molecular structure. Looking at is another way, the quantity of energy UVGI possesses is just the right amount of energy to break organic molecular bonds. This bond breakage translates into cellular damage to the bacteria, fungus, or viruses. With 11 watts of output per lamp, the UVGI intensity is 125 microwatts per cubic centimeter within 12 inches of each lamp. Most central AC systems up to 5 tons require two lamps, which give an effective UVGI intensity inside the air handler of approximately 250 microwatts. Larger systems require additional lamps to maintain the required UVGI intensity levels.

Q: HOW MUCH CONTINUOUS UVGI EXPOSURE IS REQUIRED TO KILL VIRUSES OR BACTERIA?
A: Some microorganisms are killed in fractions of a second while others require longer exposure. Manufacturers of UVGI equipment provide several charts which outline a list of microorganisms and the approximate kill time required. Those charts are based on findings of researchers, with some studies showing different kill time values than others. Accordingly, the varying kill times are included in the manufacturer's charts. Research performed by Mitscherlich and martin in 1984 found that 99% of all Bacillus Anthraci bacteria were killed within 3.6 seconds with 25 microwatts per cubic centimeter, and 99% of Bacillus Anthraci spores were killed within 230 seconds with 25 microwatts per cubic centimeter. A chart provided by one manufacturer indicates that with one hour of continuous air conditioning system operation, the airborne concentrations of Viral Colony Forming Units (CFU) per cubic meter is reduced from 500 CFU's to less than 10 CFU's; Bacterial CFU's reduced from 500 to less than 100; and Spore CFU's reduced from 500 to less than 300. That same chart shows that after 3 hours of continuous air conditioning system operation, both Viral and Bacterial CFU's are virtually eliminated while Spore CFU's level off at about 100 per cubic meter.