Although the news of avian flu has now been copied by the global media, in fact only a very small number of birds are infected with the avian flu virus. The bird flu rate in China has been decreasing since last year. The possibility of avian influenza virus found in raw feathers (unwashed or unprocessed) is actually very, very small.
Further, the avian influenza virus is unlikely to survive in properly washed and processed down feathers. It is not dangerous to use a down pillow.
Avian influenza virus is one of the influenza viruses that is sensitive to heat, dryness and chemical disinfectants. If any virus (avian flu virus or Other virus) does exist during the transportation of raw feathers, these viruses can be effectively eliminated during washing, drying and disinfection. Down is first washed with detergent to remove dust, dirt and organic matter. It will then be steam-sterilized for a period of 120 to 130 ° C for 30 minutes. According to Branson W. Ritchie, in his book Avian Viruses: Function and Control, the bird flu virus can only survive for 2 to 3 minutes at 56 °C. In this way, the washing and steaming process of down is enough to eliminate the bird flu virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Marilu Lingad said: "According to the conditions mentioned (120 to 13 ° C, 30 minutes), the virus should be eliminated. Therefore, feather pillows treated according to this condition and The cushions should be safe."
Factories that process down feathers and eventually use these feathers in the United States must have a “disinfection permitâ€. This license can only be issued after approval by the Pennsylvania State Government. Only through the on-site assessment of the appraisers, it is proved that the feathers of the factory have been properly disinfected, and appropriate procedures and measures are available to avoid cross-contamination before the application can be submitted. All down products sold in the United States, if marked on the label "disinfected", must be processed in accordance with the above procedures, such down is also safe.
Regarding the presence of avian influenza virus in down feathers, neither the government nor the bird flu experts have confirmed it. Numerous studies have been done on avian flu; however, none of the tests can prove that the avian flu virus can be transmitted from down feathers, even without evidence of connection. (US) Imported down and washed down feathers have never stopped, (US) Customs officials only confirm that imported washed down feathers must be clean and clean.
All recent media articles reporting that down products may be dangerous are cited from the same source. The author of the article is a British retired professor, Mr. Hugh Pennington. Both Hugh Pennington and his former institutions violated their original views.
All avian flu experts consulted by IDFL should not agree that the avian flu virus does not appear to be present in raw feathers. Even if it does exist, it loses its activity during subsequent washing and disinfection. On the second page, we quoted relevant answers from the above experts via email and other briefings about influenza viruses, such as how viruses spread and their weaknesses.
Can down products be tested? Yes. The oxygen consumption index and turbidity test can be used to determine that the electron beam down has undergone a proper water washing process. IDFL has been providing these tests for down processing companies, down product manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retail customers.
Source of information: Bedding Network
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