REDUCTION OF AIRBORNE MALODORS USING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND A CATALYST-COATED MEDIA

Compositions, methods and apparatuses for reducing or eliminating malodors from indoor air are described. A method is provided for the reduction or elimination of malodors from indoor air using vapor phase hydrogen peroxide generated from either evaporation from a pH neutral to mildly acidic aqueous-based liquid composition or sublimation from a solid composition containing at least one pH neutral to mildly acidic solid hydrogen peroxide-containing compound. The vapor phase hydrogen peroxide (VPHP) engages a media coated with at least one transitional metal element or compound in the presence of air that contains malodorous compounds. The combination of the vapor phase hydrogen peroxide and the transitional metal compound, which acts as an oxidation catalyst, provides increased efficacy of malodor molecule oxidation. One execution of said apparatus employs a disposable porous non-woven filter pad, coated with one or more transition metal compounds, and a solid source of VPHP also disposed within said apparatus. Malodor-containing air engages the coated filter pad in the presence of the VPHP and the malodorants are effectively oxidized. Preferably, the apparatus incorporates one or more chemical mechanisms involving prominent color change(s) in the presence of VPHP, thus indicating to the user whether the device is functional or depleted of VPHP.