Demand is growing for electronic gadgets and air purification systems designed to give protection against swine flu and other airborne viruses.

Sanyo Gulf is aggressively promoting Virus Washer, which can control airborne viruses and pollen even in large spaces. The product has been on the market for two years but the spread of the H1N1 virus has boosted demand.

Sanyo said in a statement: "Through joint research with the Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences it has been proved that the technology is highly effective at suppressing the new H1N1 virus.

"The system electrolyses tap water containing chloride ions and generates hypochlorous acid and hydroxyl radicals – two types of active oxygen that can suppress viruses in rooms of 20 to 100 sq m."

Takashi Hirao, Sanyo Gulf's Chief Regional Officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: "The response to Virus Washer has been overwhelming. People are very much interested in the concept and technology and they are finding this very useful, especially in sensitive areas like nurseries and schools."

He said there had been an increase in the sales of the product, and added: "We have advance orders and our measures to increase awareness have generated a large number of enquiries from all sectors. We have had enquiries from several companies and even certain hospitals in the country. The commercial model costs $4,500 (Dh16,500) and the consumer model costs $300."

Sharp has introduced air purifiers that use plasma cluster ion technology to eliminate H1N1. Joint research conducted by the Japanese manufacturer and the UK's Retroscreen Virology centre demonstrated that plasma cluster ions reduced the level of H1N1 by 99.9 per cent and the level of the new airborne form by 95 per cent.

Sharp's new KC-Series range of air purifiers are equipped with plasma cluster ion technology suitable for room sizes ranging from 20 to 48 sq m, as well as high density plasma cluster ion generators for household and commercial applications.

Other air purifier products entering the market include LeVOCC's purification system, which is said to destroy the H1N1 virus.

Dr Elliot Berman, the technology's inventor, said: "The LeVOCC air purification system treats indoor air with a proprietary process that utilises ultraviolet light and a unique catalyst."

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