The ‘anti-mosquito’ air conditioner is coming at a time when malaria is blamed for between 60,000 and 80,000 death annually while 40 per cent of all outpatient visits are attributed to malaria.
The Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS),the head of Parasitology and Entomology Department Dr Billy Ngasala, said MUHAS tested the LG air conditioner and affirmed it was capable of repelling mosquitoes.
“This product is safe and has no harmful effect to human,” Dr Ngasala, said.
“The advantage of this product can be used in sitting rooms in contrast to the mosquito nets, which are used in bedrooms.”
The MUHAS findings shows that the LG’s air conditioner using ultrasonic device was able to knock down 76 per cent and expel 94 per cent of female anopheles mosquitoes within 24 hours in the test chamber, set in Bagamoyo.
“Hence this innovative tool can be integrated in mosquito control programmes by reducing mosquitoes-humans contact,” Dr Billy said.
“The advantage of this product can be used in sitting rooms in contrast to the mosquito nets, which are used in bedrooms.”
The MUHAS findings shows that the LG’s air conditioner using ultrasonic device was able to knock down 76 per cent and expel 94 per cent of female anopheles mosquitoes within 24 hours in the test chamber, set in Bagamoyo.
“Hence this innovative tool can be integrated in mosquito control programmes by reducing mosquitoes-humans contact,” Dr Billy said.
He said the findings have been shared with relevant boards and got approval following similar research in Nigeria and Sudan. World Health Organisation also gave the device standard approval.
The LG, Sales Manager— Air Conditioning and Energy Company, Ms Soyoung Lee said tests conducted in a WHO standard [1.9 m3 Peet-Grady Chamber], the air conditioner knocked down 64 per cent of malaria-transmitting female anopheles mosquitoes within 24 hours and eliminated 84 per cent of female anopheles mosquitoes overall.
“Pressing the ‘anti-mosquito button’ on the unit’s remote control will see a speaker within the air conditioner generate inaudible ultrasonic waves at a frequency of 30 kHz to 100 kHz, enough to knockdown mosquitoes” Ms Lee said.
She added the soft humming sound does not irritate humans at all, while at the same time one could only switch on repellent device without air conditioner.
The Alshaaf Bargain Centre, Managing Director, Mr Aliraza Rajani, said the air conditioners are sold at reasonable price that could be afforded by medium to high income earners.
“There are three types of this Mosquito Away device... on average the price is close to one million shillings...depending with the room size,” Mr Rajani, whose firm, is the sole distributor of LG air conditioners in the country, said.
The LG Marketing General Manager East Africa Moses Marji said the new device the air conditioner actively repels mosquitoes as it keeps the house cool a seemingly obvious blending of technologies.
The LG, Sales Manager— Air Conditioning and Energy Company, Ms Soyoung Lee said tests conducted in a WHO standard [1.9 m3 Peet-Grady Chamber], the air conditioner knocked down 64 per cent of malaria-transmitting female anopheles mosquitoes within 24 hours and eliminated 84 per cent of female anopheles mosquitoes overall.
“Pressing the ‘anti-mosquito button’ on the unit’s remote control will see a speaker within the air conditioner generate inaudible ultrasonic waves at a frequency of 30 kHz to 100 kHz, enough to knockdown mosquitoes” Ms Lee said.
She added the soft humming sound does not irritate humans at all, while at the same time one could only switch on repellent device without air conditioner.
The Alshaaf Bargain Centre, Managing Director, Mr Aliraza Rajani, said the air conditioners are sold at reasonable price that could be afforded by medium to high income earners.
“There are three types of this Mosquito Away device... on average the price is close to one million shillings...depending with the room size,” Mr Rajani, whose firm, is the sole distributor of LG air conditioners in the country, said.
The LG Marketing General Manager East Africa Moses Marji said the new device the air conditioner actively repels mosquitoes as it keeps the house cool a seemingly obvious blending of technologies.
“...despite looking similar, one cannot modify the old one to fit the new device...you have to buy one altogether,” Mr Marji, who based in Nairobi, Kenya, said.
Tailored for the African market, the air conditioner is fitted with LG’s Tropical Compressor that is designed to operate in hotter climates.
Recognizing that electricity supplies in this part of the world aren’t always reliable, LG has also fitted the unit with a Super Automatic Voltage Switcher (Super AVS) that helps protect the compressor against damage from current fluctuations in the event of power blackouts or surges.
It also has the ability to operate at lower voltages in lower temperatures and features LG’s Plasmaster air filtering technology that is designed to remove harmful substances and bacteria from the air.
Tailored for the African market, the air conditioner is fitted with LG’s Tropical Compressor that is designed to operate in hotter climates.
Recognizing that electricity supplies in this part of the world aren’t always reliable, LG has also fitted the unit with a Super Automatic Voltage Switcher (Super AVS) that helps protect the compressor against damage from current fluctuations in the event of power blackouts or surges.
It also has the ability to operate at lower voltages in lower temperatures and features LG’s Plasmaster air filtering technology that is designed to remove harmful substances and bacteria from the air.
Source: Daily News, reported by Abduel Elinaza from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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