An air filter including at least one filter medium including sonochemically-deposited at least one of nanoparticles having anti-microbial characteristics and microparticles having anti-microbial characteristics, and a method for manufacturing an air filter including providing a roll of at least one filter medium, in a roll-to-roll manner, passing the at least one filter medium through a sonochemical bath for depositing therein at least one of nanoparticles having anti-microbial characteristics and microparticles having anti-microbial characteristics and thereafter, drying the at least one filter medium, including sonochemically-deposited at least one of nanoparticles having anti-microbial characteristics and microparticles having anti-microbial characteristics.

An allergen reducing composition capable of reducing allergens such as mites and cedar pollen and causes less coloring of an allergen reduction target; a spray agent using the allergen reducing composition; a surface treatment agent using the allergen reducing composition; an allergen reducing method; an allergen reducing textile structure; and an allergen reducing architectural interior material. The allergen reducing composition contains: (A) one or more compounds selected from zinc salts and copper salts; and (B) one or more compounds selected from rare earth salts. The spray agent or the surface treatment agent contains the allergen reducing composition and water or a water-soluble solvent. An allergen reducing method involves using the above-mentioned allergen reducing composition in an environment where allergens are present. The textile structure is a textile structure processed by the allergen reducing composition. The architectural interior material is one processed by the allergen reducing composition.

Fabric materials are disclosed that have been treated with a water resistant and antimicrobial treatment. The water resistant and antimicrobial treatment includes a combination of a durable water resistant composition and an antiviral composition. Protective garments can be made from the fabric that provide protection against airborne pathogens by preventing penetration through the fabric material and by destroying any pathogens that land upon the fabric.

A chemical composition for controlling odor and to a method of using the chemical composition to impart an odor control treatment to an article, more particularly to a textile material or a building or construction material. The chemical composition comprises a metal compound selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide, and a combination thereof and a sulfo polyester. Methods of making and of using are provided.

A chemical composition for controlling odor and to a method of using the chemical composition to impart an odor control treatment to an article, more particularly to a textile material or a building or construction material. The chemical composition comprises a metal compound selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide, and a combination thereof and a sulfo polyester. Methods of making and of using are provided.

The invention relates to treated cellulosic fibers comprising internally dispersed cuprous oxide (Cu.sub.2O) nanoparticles, methods of preparing such treated cellulosic fibers, and uses of such treated cellulosic fibers.

The invention relates to treated cellulosic fibers comprising internally dispersed cuprous oxide (Cu.sub.2O) nanoparticles, methods of preparing such treated cellulosic fibers, and uses of such treated cellulosic fibers.