Sharp Air Purifier Review

Company Backgroundcompany associated with virology Professor John
An overview of Sharp Corporation and theS. Oxford, University of London.
history of its Plasmacluster Ion technology areThough announced in the midst of the multi-year
instructive in understanding the extent that thisbird flu pandemic scare, the world did not seem
company believes that its very own futuristicimpressed with Sharp's claim. This, we believe,
state-of-the-art technology surpasses anything inwas primarily due to the lack of independent
the air purification market.scientific peer reviews. We validated this belief by
suggesting Sharp Plasmacluster Ion technology at
The company is well-known for innovativeseveral bird flu forums and met with this precise
products spanning audio-visual products, homerebuttal.
appliances, information and communicationOn 19 January 2009, Sharp announced plans to
products, solar cells and LCDs. Its businessinstall 10,000 Plasmacluster Ion generators at its
philosophy includes a dedication to "unique,offices globally to combat a pandemic of new
innovative technology to contribute to the culture,viruses. These ion generators produce 25,000 ions
benefits and welfare of people throughout theper cubic cm and catered to room sizes of 23
world".square m and 50 square m. The aim is to
With growing global awareness about healthydeactivate harmful airborne substances in all Sharp
lifestyles, environmental care and energyoffices, thereby ensuring the safety of
conservation, Sharp has declared that it willemployees and to keep the company business
contribute to the world through an environmentalrunning smoothly.
and health-conscious business as one of its visions.Rare Revelation of Marketing Strategy
Plasmacluster Ion technology is at the core of thisOn 16 January 2009, Sharp announced that sales
social vision.of products equipped with Plasmacluster Ion
Chronological History of Plasmacluster Iontechnology had reached 20 million units in 58
Technologycountries around the world.
On 19 February 2001, Sharp announced that itBut what is worthy of greater attention was that
had developed the world's first Plasmacluster Ionin this same announcement, Sharp revealed their
air purification technology, described as airbornephased marketing strategy of Plasmacluster Ion
ions surrounding germs and odors.technology. The concept of strategic phases was
Interestingly, the first product to use thisexplained. Phase I focused on R&D of the
technology was launched earlier in 2000. An airtechnology. Phase II centered on efficacy of the
purifier (FU-L40X), it was described as usingtechnology and Phase III will zero in on efficiency.
Plasmacluster Ion technology that releasesCoincidentally, these phases are part of our 5 Key
inactivating positive and negative ions into the airFactors Air Purifier Review Model. At the core of
to surround and inactivate mold fungi.their marketing strategy is the concept of
On 3 September 2003, Sharp declared that it hadacademic marketing, the reliance on academia to
proof for the first time ever that Plasmaclusterback up their technological claims.
Ions deactivate airborne mite allergens, a mainFawning Accolades Roll?
cause of asthma and atopic disorders.This review is not a fawning accolades roll - it is a
On 27 July 2004, Sharp announced thatpeek into Japanese methodology in achieving
Plasmacluster Ions inactivate airborne corona virusleadership and domination in whatever they set
- A World First.their minds to. That they may have invested
On 17 November 2004, Sharp explained themore money than any other player in the ionic air
mechanism for inactivating bacteria bypurifier industry may be an understatement!
Plasmacluster Ions.The above chain of events from the year 2000
A dramatic but seemingly unnoticed claim wasreflects the absolute confidence of Sharp in the
made by Sharp on 6 June 2005 thatintegrity of the Plasmacluster Ion technology.
Plasmacluster Ions had been proven effectiveAfter almost a decade in the market, there is no
against airborne highly pathogenic H5N1 avianknown legal action taken against Sharp for harm
influenza.arising from using Plasmacluster Ion technology.
On 21 November 2005, sales of Sharp productsThat this is a multi-billion business may not be an
equipped with Plasmacluster Ion technologyexaggeration too. A Sharp air purifier costs about
reached 10 million units worldwide.US$500. They have crossed the 20 million mark
On 10 August 2006, Sharp introduced humidifyingfor various units sold with the technology. Using
features into air purifiers. This amplified thejust US$250 per unit as a rough gauge, we are
effectiveness of Plasmacluster Ions.talking about a US$2.5 billion business that is
Stepping up the ante, on 3 August 2007, Sharpgrowing everyday.
proved the effectiveness of Plasmacluster Ions inDo not be surprised that the Sharp Plasmacluster
eliminating serratia bacteria in collaboration with Dr.Ion technology becomes the de facto standard of
Melvin First, Professor Emeritus, Harvard Schoolair purification. All that is lacking is an independent
of Public Health.scientific peer review. I expect someone will
Another dramatic announcement by Sharp on 27choose this very technology to be the debutante
August 2008 was headlined Higher Concentrationspeer review for the ionic air purifier industry.
of Plasmacluster Ions Boost Virus Inactivation andWhat Next?
Elimination, Inhibit 99.9% of Airborne H5N1 AvianYou will note that to date, Sharp's approach has
Influenza ('Bird Flu') Virus. The verification was inbeen to focus on efficacy (Phase II). They are
collaboration with Retroscreen Virology Ltd, a UKnow moving on to effectiveness (Phase III).