Samsung UK Vacuum Cleaner Incorporates Antimicrobial Nano-Coating.

Samsung’s new Silencio SC9540 bagless vacuum cleaner sold in the UK apparently uses a nanosilver costing on its dust bin, pre-motor filter, and post-motor filter to kill bacteria accumulated during the cleaning process. Samsung claims the air emitted from the Silencio is bacteria and odor free. No word on whether Samsung intends to import the machine to the US or whether it has applied for a treated article exemption under section 40 CFR 152.25(a) of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) if it intends to do so.  Regular readers may recall the 2006-2007 controversy surrounding Samsung’s Silver Nano (now known in the US as SilverCare) washing machine in the US which claimed to emit nanosilver particles into the wash cycle to kill bacteria. Certain environmental groups complained about potential adverse environmental effects. EPA eventually explained its intent to treat silver ion generators making antimicrobial claims as pesticides under FIFRA, whether or not they truly emit nanoparticles.  Samsung subsequently altered its advertising (at least) for the machine in the US.