Australia’s first air and surface sanitisation service

VBreathe has developed proprietary technology that not only purifies air in a mining donga but also sanitises it.

Mining camps are a worker’s sanctuary at the end of a long day (or night), a place to relax and unwind before heading out for the next shift.

While a donga is meant to offer relief from the often-dusty environments of a mine site, the air quality within these portable homes can be harsh.

If it’s not the fatigue that affects the ability to work day-to-day, poor air quality can also lead to workers experiencing nausea and cognitive dysfunction. This is largely because, while air conditioner units help in cooling dongas, they typically recycle air without sanitising or purifying it, which means workers can be exposed to dirty air and carbon dioxide (CO2) build-up.

If the door or window of a donga isn’t opened regularly, CO2 levels can exceed 1000 parts per million in a few hours, leading to poor ventilation and the greater risk of a respiratory condition.

Understanding the air conditions to which many Australian miners are exposed every day, VBreathe has developed a patented combination of a highly efficient four-layer medical grade filter and proprietary gel technology to not only filter the air inside mining dongas but also sanitise it.

Already recognised for improving air quality in homes and healthcare settings, VBreathe felt compelled to act when it heard about air concerns facing the Australian mining sector.

“I’ve been motivated by what people have told me, such as, ‘When working up north, I always feel lethargic and stuffy and never wake up feeling the best’,” VBreathe executive account director – mining Jason Benino told Australian Mining. “This has always led back to poor ventilation in remote areas.

“VBreathe has designed an innovative product that is focused on looking after respiratory issues and keeping people safe, which, at the core of many applications, leads back to poor air quality.

“In the mining sector, VBreathe is looking to provide opportunities for people who fly to site, miss their family for two weeks and live in an environment that has clean and sanitised air and surfaces.”

VBreathe executive account director Jason Tippett said the reality of poor air quality has been normalised in many sections of the Australian mining industry.

But workers deserve better.

“People should be able to go to site, do their work, breathe clean air and go to sleep at night knowing they will wake up feeling refreshed,” Tippett told Australian Mining. “Workers should be able to go their accommodation and feel safe knowing that the air quality is just as good as the water they are drinking.

“Now, with VBreathe’s indoor air-quality service, workers can retreat to their dongas at the end of a shift knowing they will have access to clean air, a nice sleep and wake up feeling recharged.”

Based on an independent study in a mining donga, VBreathe was able to deliver a reduction in particulate levels by 99 per cent in under 60 minutes. A drop in particulate levels from 110.4 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) in concentration to between 2.1–0.8µg/m3 was recorded.

Workers who underwent the independent study reported significant improvements in their energy levels and wellbeing, experiencing better sleep and less fatigue.

“The VBreathe unit has a remarkable ability to disperse sanitiser into the air and effectively adhere to the entire environment, including surfaces within a donga – whether it’s benchtops, door handles, or even bed sheets,” Benino said.

“It’s a world-first technology that uses hospital-grade filtration to purify the air entering and exiting the unit, simultaneously releasing a sanitiser that eliminates any airborne bacteria lingering in the donga, including COVID-19.

“Being an Australian company, we have the ability to quickly evolve to implement changes, and in partnership with our mining customers, we’re focused on developing filters designed specifically for the mining sector.”

Tippett echoed Benino’s sentiment.

“VBreathe is the only service specifically designed to address air quality and sanitisation within dongas of mining camps, backed by proven technology,” he said. “The idea that we can provide a service that can help people and improve their overall wellbeing is exciting for us.

“We can make a difference by providing a solution that can enable individuals to feel better about their next FIFO stint, ensuring they breathe and sleep easily, and feel enthusiastic about their upcoming shifts.

“Cleaner air means increased productivity, efficiency, and happier mine workers – three key ingredients to a successful mining operation.”

For more information on VBreathe, head to their website or contact jason.t@vbreathe.com.

This feature appeared in the October 2024 issue of Australian Mining.