OREANDA-NEWS. May 17, 2012. Panasonic Corporation today announced that tests carried out with air purifying technology using nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles(*1) produced by applying high voltage to water have suggested that the technology can keep a dog's skin and hair healthy. This demonstration was achieved through collaboration with Professor Toshiroh Iwasaki, Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.

Japan is now in the midst of a pet boom. A public opinion survey shows that 34.2%(*2) of respondents have a pet, and other research shows that 72%(*3) of pet owners keep their pets indoors. Like humans, pets can suffer from allergy symptoms caused by house dust and other allergens. A questionnaire survey shows that skin disease, including allergic and atopic dermatitis, is the most common disease in dogs, making up about 40%(*4) of all cases.

With the help of families with a dog diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, Panasonic Ecology Systems Co., Ltd., a Panasonic group company, conducted a four-week test at each family residence, continuously operating an air purifier in the room where the dog was mainly kept to demonstrate the effects of the air purifying technology on their dog's skin and hair.
 The effects were assessed using a clinical scoring system(*5) called CADESI (Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index)(*6), which was developed for veterinarians to assess dermatitis. The joint assessment with Professor Iwasaki showed that the clinical score after the test was lower than that before the test, suggesting that the air purifying technology using nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles can keep a dog's skin and hair healthy.

The research results will be presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Board of Veterinary Practitioners held in Hotel New Otani Tokyo on September 28 to 30, 2012.