Source: Pyrus
We all know the importance of using disinfectants (now more so than ever), but do you know the correct procedure and what precautions you should take when using them?
Well look no further as we have outlined a simple guide below of what to do when selecting your disinfectant and using it.
Step 1: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.1
Sounds obvious right?
You need to understand how to properly use that specific disinfectant such as recommended use-dilution (if applicable), material compatibility, storage, shelf-life and safe use and disposal.
Step 2: Check that your product is EPA-approved.
How do you do this?
Find the EPA registration number on the product. Then check to see if it is on the EPA’s list of approved disinfectants at: epa.gov/listn. The EPA expects that all products on the list will be effective against SARS-CoV-2 (the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19) on surfaces, ONLY when you follow the instructions with the listed contact time for the specified harder-to-kill virus.2
The EPA list also tells you the types of surfaces on which you can safely use a disinfectant product. You can see this by clicking on the green plus sign next to a product's registration number and looking at the Surface Type.
For more information on the importance of the EPA List N check out our other blog ‘What is the EPA List N and why should I care?’ here.
Source: Encrypted
Step 3: Check if the surface is chemically compatible with the materials of the surface or device you are disinfecting.
Why do we need to do this?
The product label should be able to provide you with the recommendations on what surfaces and materials this can be safely used on. It is important to know if the surface has any chemical compatibility with the materials of the surface or device. The reason for this is some disinfectants will degrade or damage the surface or even change its color or properties.
Step 4: Make sure to wash the surface with soap and water if the directions mention pre-cleaning or if the surface is visibly dirty.
Why is this so important?
Think about it. Germs or blood on the surface may reduce the effectiveness of a disinfectant otherwise. Organic matter in the form of serum, blood, pus, fecal or lubricant material can interfere with the effectiveness of the disinfectant by reacting with it to form a complex that is less effective or not effective, thereby leaving less disinfectant available to attach microorganisms.3
Chlorine and iodine disinfectants, in particular, are prone to such interaction. Organic material can alternatively act as a physical barrier for inorganic material. Studies show that inorganic material can be occluded in salt crystals blocking access to disinfectants to work. Both organic and inorganic soils are easily removed by washing. While there are one-step disinfectants that have been verified by the EPA to be effective against named organisms in the presence of 5% blood serum solution, these products generally do not require pre-cleaning in order to disinfect a hard surface as long as dwell time is observed. However, related to COVID-19, the CDC recommends a multi-step cleaning process including pre-cleaning prior to disinfection.4
Step 5: Follow the contact time listed on the directions to expose the virus on the surface.
Don’t be impatient!
The surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure that the product is effective. Let the surface air dry. Do not spray, and immediately wipe the surface as that won’t be effective. If you are impatient and don’t follow this step you may not have left the disinfectant on the surface long enough to effectively kill the contaminant.
Source: Encrypted
Most EPA-registered hospital disinfectants have a label contact of 10 minutes!
However, multiple scientific studies have demonstrated the efficacy of hospital disinfectants against pathogens with a contact time of at least 1 minute. By law, all applicable label instructions on EPA-registered products must be followed. If the user selects exposure conditions that differ from those on the EPA-registered product label, the user assumes liability from any injuries resulting from off-label use and is potentially subject to enforcement action under FIFRA5.
Step 6: Wear gloves and wash your hands.
Protect your precious skin!
Some disinfectants are not skin safe, can be irritants or have toxicity when ingested, cause allergies or other health hazards. For some disinfectants, the directions will specify that you should rinse the surface after disinfecting and this will be listed on the EPA List N as Food Contact Surfaces, Post-Rinse Required.
Source: NBC News
In some cases, if you’re not wiping or rinsing the product off the surface, you can leave a chemical build-up over time which can lead to skin burns. It’s always best to wipe the surface post-cleaning to make sure it is not left with chemical residue.
When a rinse is not necessary, this will be noted on the EPA List N as Food Contact Surfaces, No Rinse. You can find out whether you need to rinse the surface after disinfection by reading the directions on the product label. However, if you can’t tell it is always best practice for you to wear gloves.
For disposable gloves, discard them after each cleaning. For reusable gloves, dedicate a pair to disinfecting COVID-19. Wash your hands after removing the gloves. In our recommendations for disinfectants to be used on our Total Protection cases, we recommend using a skin safe disinfectant.
Step 7: Last but by no means least, always lock up the disinfectant after use.
Protect yourself and your loved ones. Keep lids tightly closed and store out of reach of children.6
Source: GOHCL
How can I follow the above recommendations and safely disinfect my device?
With a Catalyst Total Protection case of course! Our comprehensive range allows you to follow the above guidelines as they are all cleanable with EPA approved disinfectants. have been tested to sustain repeated disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 70% ethanol. These have proven to work against similar coronaviruses like SARS and MERS by a study by the Journal of Hospital Infection7.
If the surface is visibly dirty, wash it first with soap and water. Then, follow with an EPA-approved disinfectant, paying attention to proper contact time – the surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure the disinfectant is effective.8
It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to provide a recommended disinfection protocol, and as you can tell, we’ve done our homework to come up with a recommendation.
Check out how to clean your phone case with our Total Protection range safely here.
Want to learn more?
There are a lot of details and considerations that go into picking the right disinfectant to use on a device or surface. To learn more about our recommended disinfection protocol, check out our full whitepaper ‘How can you safely Disinfect your Devices against the SARS-CoV-2-Coronavirus’ here.
References
Source: HP Online
The rise of personal protective equipment has been well documented over the course of the Coronavirus pandemic, but as cases continue to persist people are looking for other methods in a bid to contain the virus.
One of the latest alternative methods that people have been considering as opposed to using disinfectants against COVID-19 are UVC sanitizers.
However, the question we all want answered - are these devices effective in killing the Coronavirus?
Source: Caribbean National Weekly
According to the FDA, we don’t know.
We don’t have enough information about the conditions needed for UVC to be used against COVID-19. There is very limited data published about the correct wavelength, dose, and duration of UVC radiation that would inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus from surfaces and equipment1.
Is there any data that has researched the effectiveness of UVC lamps?
There is some data that indicates that Far-UVC (222nm) may be effective. In a study on 2 different similar coronaviruses, Far-UVC light at the specific wavelength of 222nm was shown to destroy the outer protein coating of these human coronaviruses (alpha HCoV-229E and beta HCoV-OC43), ultimately leading to inactivation of the virus.2
Far UV-C radiation (222 nm) may also be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the human beta HCoV-OC43 comes from a similar family of coronaviruses as SARS-CoV-2), although these results are still preliminary2.
However, there are still a lot of caveats. Even if these UVC devices do work, you may have a false sense of safety since you need to meet all of the conditions for the device to be effective, and not all of the virus on a surface may be killed.
What conditions do I need to meet in order to properly work a UVC light?
The problem is that for a UVC light to work, you need to directly expose the virus on all surfaces and all angles.1
We here at Catalyst are committed to spending the time and effort educating consumers on the fast-evolving world related to viruses and disinfection.
Is it safe to use UVC lights?
No. In general, direct exposure to UVC light is not proven to be safe and further studies are needed. The World Health Organization (WHO) have recommended that you need specialist equipment and training and have issued a stern warning against people using UV light to sterilize their hands or any part of their skin.3
Source: WHO
What’s our recommendation for disinfection?
The WHO recommend cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing your hands with soap and water as being the most effective methods to remove the virus.3
You should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant on the EPA List N. The EPA List N is a comprehensive list that the EPA expects for all products on it to kill the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) when used according to the label directions.4
To learn how to effectively use the EPA List N check out our blog ‘What is the EPA List N and why should I care?” here
Should I be disinfecting my devices too?
In a nutshell, yes.
Your phone or personal devices can carry and transmit the virus to your hands and face. Using our Total Protection cases for your devices allow you to follow the CDC recommendations to wash and disinfect regularly touched surfaces to prevent the spread of the virus.5
Your device is safe from getting any liquids into the openings or damaging the ports and allows sufficient time for the disinfectant to work.
Check out how to clean your phone case with our Total Protection range safely here.
Looking to learn more?
We thought so, we were too. There are so many things to understand when learning about disinfection and proposed alternative methods. To learn more about the risks behind UVC Lamps check out our full whitepaper ‘Can UVC Lamps inactivate the SARS-CoV-2-Coronavirus?’ here
References
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Source: Learn Compact Appliance
During these unprecedented times, we all know at this stage that disinfectants help keep our surfaces clean and help protect us from viruses.
But – with there being hundreds of options to choose from do you know what disinfectant you should use? Do not worry – we are here to help break it down.
Source: Images Pexels
Let’s start with the basics - what disinfectant should I be using?
According to the EPA you should stick to the products listed on the EPA List N. For those who don’t know (or need refreshing) the EPA List N is a comprehensive list where when used according to the label directions can kill the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). These products are for use on surfaces, not humans.1
Are there any differences or preferred active ingredients in these disinfectants?
The answer is no. There is no preferred active ingredient in disinfectants. However, all EPA-registered disinfectants must provide efficacy data against the organisms claimed on the label – but each one has a different mechanism.2
How do I pick the right disinfectant?
There are a lot of details and considerations that go into picking the right disinfectant to use on a device or surface. When selecting a disinfectant, try to select one appropriate for the surface it is intended to clean.
Seems obvious right – but this is the first hurdle in making sure we disinfectant our surfaces correctly.
There are advantages and disadvantages to every type of chemistry. Some disinfectants will chemically attack items being disinfected – especially if used on the wrong surface.
To learn more about our recommended disinfection protocol, check out our full whitepaper ‘How can you safely Disinfect your Devices against the SARS-CoV-2-Coronavirus’ here.
Source: OHS Online
What can happen to surfaces when using the wrong disinfectant?
In some cases, using the wrong disinfectant on the incorrect surface can cause more damage than good so make sure you’ve studied up before you use!
Are there any possible dangers to us when using disinfectants?
Yes there can be, that’s why taking the right precautions is vital when handling disinfectants.
How should one protect themselves?
Precautions should be given for handling both concentrated disinfectants and made up in-use dilutions. When handling concentrated disinfectants care should be taken to avoid splashing, and goggles or a full-face visor and gloves should be worn.3
Do disinfectants work on any Catalyst cases?
Absolutely! Our Total Protection Waterproof cases allow you to follow the EPA recommended procedure by safely pre-cleaning your device with soap and water and then disinfecting it with an EPA-approved disinfectant.
Before disinfection always check to see if the surface is visibly dirty. If it is wash it first with soap and water. Then, follow with an EPA-approved disinfectant, paying attention to proper contact time – the surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure the disinfectant is effective4.
It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to provide a recommended disinfection protocol, and as you can tell, we’ve done our homework to come up with a recommendation.
What disinfectants work on our Total Protection cases?
Catalyst Total Protection Waterproof Cases have been tested to sustain repeated disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 70% ethanol. These have proven to work against similar coronaviruses like SARS and MERS by a study by the Journal of Hospital Infection.5
According to the CDC, the best way to keep hard electronic devices clean is to use a wipeable cover or case designed to make it easier to clean and disinfect. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for cleaning the electronic item.6
To see the cleaning and disinfection process of our Total Protection cases in action click here.
How do I safely clean and disinfect my surfaces?
Now that you know the differences in disinfectants and the precautions to take check out our blog ‘6 Steps to safely clean and disinfect your surfaces’ here.
References
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Source: Phone Soap
We charge and use our phone every day but how often would we clean it? Since the Coronavirus pandemic there has been an increase in alternative methods to bleach and disinfectants to clean your device such as UVC sanitizers. The question is though – can UVC lamps (a.k.a. ultraviolet-C lamps) inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus?
Probably the reason why consumers are seeking these alternative methods is it seems they would be easier to work with when you have parts that can’t be doused with liquids, like bleach.
However, most consumers are not aware devices may not work or be safe to use when they’re disinfected to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There’s a huge need for COVID-19 education, but there’s a gap in credible sources.
We here at Catalyst are committed to spending the time and effort educating consumers on the fast-evolving world related to viruses and disinfection.
What exactly is a UVC light and what is its function?
UVC is the radiation from the highest energy portion of the UV spectrum (100-280 nm)1.
Basically, it comes naturally from the sun, filtered by the ozone layer; but, it can also be created by artificial sources used in industry, commerce and recreation2.
UVC radiation has been employed to disinfect things such as:
For this reason, UVC lamps are often called "germicidal" lamps, meaning that it kills germs. The range of 200–270 nm is known as the “germicidal UVC spectrum”4, because it is strongly absorbed by the nucleic acids and disrupting the DNA of a microorganism; and, therefore, is the most lethal range of radiation for microbes.5
Source: David Gray Online
How does UVC destroy germs?
UVC is electromagnetic radiation that works to inactivate germs and microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, molds, or protozoa. It does this by damaging their genomic material (their DNA or RNA).
Specifically, in viruses, viral inactivation works by altering the surface chemistry of a virus, making it unable to infect new cells. Many viruses contain lipid or protein coats that can be inactivated by chemical alteration, heat processing, solvents, etc.
UVC inactivation of viruses works by destroying the outer protein coating. This further damages the genetic material in the nucleus of the cell, or nucleic acids in the virus, which damages the DNA of the microorganism6,7.This makes the virus unable to replicate itself and infect new host cells, effectively killing the virus’ ability to spread.
UVC radiation has several potential applications, but unfortunately its effectiveness against germs is influenced by many factors like:
Currently, UV-C lamps are becoming more popular than ever, however it is critical to understand if they eliminate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Are UVC devices safe to use when disinfecting my device?
The answer in short is no.
In general, direct exposure to UVC light is not proven to be safe and further studies are needed. According to the FDA, UVC lamps that are used for disinfection purposes may pose health and safety risks to you, depending on the UVC wavelength, dose, and duration when you are directly exposed to radiation from the device.8
What is the safest method to disinfect your device?
You should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant on the EPA List N. The EPA List N is a comprehensive list that the EPA expects for all products on it to kill the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) when used according to the label directions.9
Source: Budd Group
Can I clean my device in a Catalyst case with approved disinfectants on the EPA List N?
Yes! Catalyst Total Protection Waterproof Cases have been tested to sustain repeated disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 70% ethanol. These have proven to work against similar coronaviruses like SARS and MERS by a study by the Journal of Hospital Infection.10
Check out how to clean your phone case with our Total Protection range safely here.
Want to learn more?
There are a lot of details and considerations when learning about alternative disinfection methods such as UVC lamps. To learn more about this check out our full whitepaper ‘Can UVC Lamps inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus?’ here
References
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Source: Biocote
Recently there has been a lot of interest in phone/device case manufacturers putting antimicrobial additives into their portfolio of products. You may be wondering why are they doing this, how does it work and is it effective against viruses?
But before we dig in, lets go back to the basics.
First things first – what are antimicrobials?
Antimicrobial pesticides are substances or mixtures of substances used to destroy or limit the growth of microorganisms, whether bacteria, viruses, or fungi - many of which are harmful - on inanimate objects and surfaces.1
Are these long-term antimicrobial products useful against coronavirus?
No, they aren’t.
Source: SNDCDN
While there are many claims from material suppliers on the benefits of their antimicrobial additives, to the best of our knowledge at this time, no suppliers or manufacturers of the antimicrobial additives claim to be effective at killing viruses.
Recently, there has been a lot of interest in getting approvals for residual efficacy claims (i.e., claims that a product provides an ongoing antimicrobial effect beyond the initial time of application, ranging from days to weeks to months). There is significant desire from stakeholders and the public for products that are continuously active and can provide efficacy in between regular cleaning and disinfection. These products may reduce the level of re-contamination on high touch surfaces.
EPA has not evaluated the efficacy of any products claiming long-lasting efficacy against viruses; and, therefore, there are no EPA-registered products with label claims that they are effective against viruses over the course of hours to months (i.e., “residual” or “long lasting” efficacy claims).2
What are these antimicrobial products claiming to work on, then?
There are some antimicrobial pesticides that EPA calls “materials preservatives” that can be incorporated into articles. Known as “treated articles,” these plastics, textiles or other materials are treated with, or contain, a materials preservative to protect the article itself from mold or bacteria that can cause odor, discoloration or deterioration.
For example, durable antimicrobial coatings only allow product claims of inhibiting odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew, excluding any claims regarding food-borne illnesses and disease-causing bacteria.
Therefore, these products are only approved to prevent odors, staining, or deterioration caused by select microbes on surfaces. They cannot claim to improve or protect public health.
So currently, the only EPA-registered products claiming long-lasting effectiveness are limited against control odor-causing bacteria on hard, non-porous surfaces, and there are no EPA-registered products that claim long-lasting disinfection.
Treated articles cannot claim that they are effective against viruses and bacteria that cause human illness. This means that they are not appropriate for controlling COVID-19.
According to Microban, the world leader in antimicrobial technologies and odor control solutions, their built-in antimicrobial technologies are effective against a plethora of product damaging microbes, but are not currently proven to have any antiviral properties when built-into products.3 Microban claims that the active technology itself may be effective against viruses in pure state, but not when incorporated into a product.
Under FIFRA, all pesticide products (including antimicrobials) must be registered with the EPA prior to sale, distribution, or use. There are currently no antimicrobial products that are registered with the EPA so they cannot make claims of efficacy against the novel coronavirus.4
With this being said – what is the most effective way to safely clean my surfaces?
You should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant on the EPA List N. The EPA List N is a comprehensive list that the EPA expects for all products on it to kill the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) when used according to the label directions.5
Source: Facility Executive
For those who want to learn about the EPA List N check out our blog article here.
Can I clean my device in a Catalyst case with approved disinfectants on the EPA List N?
Yes! Catalyst Total Protection Waterproof Cases have been tested to sustain repeated disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 70% ethanol. These have proven to work against similar coronaviruses like SARS and MERS by a study by the Journal of Hospital Infection.6
Check out how to clean your phone case with our Total Protection range safely here.
Where can I learn more about our research around antimicrobial products being effective against the Coronavirus?
To learn more about the efficacy around antimicrobials check out our full whitepaper ‘Are long-term Antimicrobial products useful against Coronavirus?’ here
References
Source: News Ophardt
Before learning the important steps of how to protect yourself against different types of viruses such as the Coronavirus, it is vital to know the difference between viruses’ structures.
The question is – do you know the difference between them? If not – read our other blog first here and then come back!
If you are all studied up, please continue to learn how you can protect yourself against these.
Following the EPA’s recommendation there are 6 steps for safe and effective disinfectant use to help protect yourself.4
1. Check that your chosen disinfectant product is EPA-approved.
Source: Aftermath
To do this find the EPA registration number on the product and cross reference is with the EPA List N here
Why does it need to be EPA approved and feature on the EPA List N?
Because the EPA List N is a comprehensive list where when used according to the label directions can kill the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). These products are for use on surfaces, not humans. Children should not use these products.2
So now you have the right EPA approved disinfectant to hand. What do I do next?
2. Follow the disinfection directions as stated on the product label.
Source: Cloudinary
Note that a disinfectant can be approved with different instructions for different types of viruses or bacteria so it is important to follow the instructions for the specific virus listed on EPA List N. If there are use directions for enveloped viruses, follow those directions. EPA recommends that if the directions for use for viruses/virucidal activity list different contact times or dilutions, use the longest contact time or most concentrated solution.
3. A crucial step in the process - Pre-clean the surface.
Source: Counter Top Guides
This step is vital to protect yourself against the different types of viruses. Make sure to wash the surface with soap and water if the directions mention pre-cleaning or if the surface is visibly dirty.
Why is doing this important?
Think about it. Any additional contaminants such as dirt, germs, or blood can reduce the effectiveness of the disinfectant if not removed beforehand thoroughly with soap and water.
Organic matter in the form of serum, blood, pus, fecal or lubricant material can interfere with the effectiveness of the disinfectant by reacting with it to form a complex that is less or not effective, leaving less disinfectant available to attack the microorganisms.4 Chlorine and iodine disinfectants, are prone to such interaction.
Okay – so you’ve pre-cleaned your surface, what’s next?
4. Follow the contact time listed to expose the virus on the surface.
Source: Encrypted
You can find the contact time in the directions. The surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure the product is effective. Let the surface air dry.
Please note!
By law, all applicable label instructions on EPA-registered products must be followed. If the user selects exposure conditions that differ from those on the EPA-registered product label, the user assumes liability from any injuries resulting from off-label use and is potentially subject to enforcement action under FIFRA4.
5. Wear gloves and wash your hands
Source: Free Pik
Some disinfectants are not skin safe, can be irritants or have toxicity when ingested, cause allergies or other health hazards. It’s best practice to wear gloves. For disposable gloves, discard them after each cleaning.4
What do I do with reusable gloves?
For reusable gloves, dedicate a pair to disinfecting COVID-19. Wash your hands after removing the gloves.1
Okay you’re nearly finished, just one final thing!
6. Lock up the disinfectant after use
Source: Shop GOHCL
Sounds simple, but easily forgotten. Last but not least, keep lids tightly closed and store out of reach of children.5
Now you know how to be safe and effective when using your disinfectants against viruses.
How do I protect my devices against different types of viruses?
The great news is that we have done our homework and want to provide you with the ultimate protection plus peace of mind. Our Total Protection range allows for just that as you can follow the above procedure time and time again as our cases are cleanable with EPA approved disinfectants.
Not only this but you can fully submerge your Total Protection case in water or alcohol-based disinfectants (such as ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol), which in general have been show to significantly reduce infectivity of enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2 in concentrations of 70-80% with one minute exposure time.6
Want to learn more?
To learn more about our recommended disinfection protocol, check out our full whitepaper ‘How can you safely Disinfect your Devices against the SARS-CoV-2-Coronavirus’ here.
References
Source: Quincy Network
Did you know that there are different types of viruses?
Because there are! Viruses can be generally categorized into three groups by virus structure. This affects the effectiveness of disinfectants in killing the viruses.1
So which virus is COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product.
Since the novel coronavirus is lipid encapsulated, once you disrupt the lipid bilayer, it exposes the core proteins inactivating the virus, so it’s considered easier to kill vs. a non-enveloped virus.1
How do I protect myself against COVID-19?
You should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant on the EPA List N.
Source: Assets Adobe
What is the EPA List N and how does it help?
The EPA List N is a comprehensive list where when used according to the label directions can kill the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). These products are for use on surfaces, not humans. Children should not use these products.2
A product that is likely to provide the greatest protection to you from COVID-19 will have claims against at least one non-enveloped virus such as Norovirus, Feline Calicivirus, Poliovirus, Rhinovirus, or Reovirus. This theory is the basis by which EPA has activated its Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides, regulating registrants that claim their products are effective against COVID-193.
On July 6th, 2020, the US EPA announced it approved a test method for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thus allowing disinfectants to get tested and submit their data to the US EPA for acceptance. If approved, they would be allowed to start the process of updating their chemical labels to include the SARS-CoV-2 claim.4
If you want to learn more about the EPA List N and to effectively use it read our blog ‘What is the EPA List N and why should I care?’ here.
Source: Facility Executive
How do products on the EPA List N help protect us against SARS-CoV-2?
The EPA expects the products on List N to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, because they:
Most of the disinfectants on EPA List N were already EPA-registered as hospital/healthcare or broad-spectrum disinfectant. Their directions included use on hard, porous or non-porous surfaces based upon claims and testing against at least one non-enveloped virus.
Can I use other products that aren’t on the EPA List N?
You should stick to the products listed on the EPA List N. In reviewing a disinfectant for expedited review, the EPA would do a more thorough review of product chemistry, acute toxicology and appropriate efficacy studies. The efficacy data qualifies the product as a broad-spectrum or hospital hard surface disinfectant and includes virucidal efficacy data for SARS-CoV-2 or another human coronavirus (e.g., ATCC 229E) or a non-enveloped virus.4
Find out more on protecting yourself against viruses in our blog ‘How do I protect myself against them?' here.
Can I clean my device in a Catalyst case with approved disinfectants on the EPA List N?
Of course! Catalyst Total Protection Waterproof Cases have been tested to sustain repeated disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 70% ethanol. These have proven to work against similar coronaviruses like SARS and MERS by a study by the Journal of Hospital Infection6.
If the surface is visibly dirty, wash it first with soap and water. Then, follow with an EPA-approved disinfectant, paying attention to proper contact time – the surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure the disinfectant is effective.7
It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to provide a recommended disinfection protocol, and as you can tell, we’ve done our homework to come up with a recommendation.
Check out how to clean your phone case with our Total Protection range safely here.
Want to learn more?
There are a lot of details and considerations when learning about different viruses and go into picking the right disinfectant to use against them on a device or surface. To learn more about our recommended disinfection protocol, check out our full whitepaper ‘How can you safely Disinfect your Devices against the SARS-CoV-2-Coronavirus’ here.
References
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Source:Sharp
Did you know that not all disinfectants are effective against the novel coronavirus?
Why is this the case?
The reason behind this is that during the initial outbreak of a new virus like COVID-19 no disinfectants existed on the market that could make claims to kill the virus. This is because the virus was simply not available for testing.
How does the CDC recommend novel SARS-CoV-2 cultures be studied?
The CDC recommends that studies of cultures of novel SARS-CoV-2 should be conducted in a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory using BSL-3 practices1 but there is a limited number of BSL-3 labs in the world.
Understandably, the immediate priority for research at these labs would focus on vaccines and treatments, so testing would have been a bottleneck. After that, it could still take more than one year to get a viral claim approved by a regulatory agency.
So, what approach did the EPA take?
Since few disinfectants could be tested, the EPA took the approach of fast-tracking approvals of already approved disinfectants using a ‘hierarchy-based’ policy.2
This means that if a company’s product has been found to be effective against harder-to-kill viruses, it is likely to a kill a virus like COVID-19.
What do you mean by harder-to-kill viruses?
Viruses can be generally categorized into three groups by virus structure. This affects the effectiveness of disinfectants in killing the viruses.2
With all this being said, which disinfectants are effective against COVID-19?
You should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant on the EPA List N.
Source: Facility Executive
The EPA List N is a comprehensive list where when used according to the label directions can kill the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). These products are for use on surfaces, not humans. Children should not use these products.3
The EPA expects the products on List N to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, because they:
How do I effectively use the EPA List N?
The EPA lays out a step-by-step guide of how to use this list so everyone can understand if the product is effective in killing the Coronavirus.5
So, knowing all the above, what is the best procedure to disinfect and keep surfaces clean?
Source: Business Business Business
According to the EPA there are 6 steps for safe and effective disinfectant use.6
Step One: Check that your product is EPA-approved.
Step Two: Read the Directions.
Step Three: Pre-Clean the Surface.
Step Four: Follow the Contact Time.
Step Five: Wear gloves and Wash your Hands.
Step Six: Lock it Up!
Can I clean my device in a Catalyst case with approved disinfectants on the EPA List N?
Absolutely! Catalyst Total Protection Waterproof Cases have been tested to sustain repeated disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 70% ethanol. These have proven to work against similar coronaviruses like SARS and MERS by a study by the Journal of Hospital Infection7.
If the surface is visibly dirty, wash it first with soap and water. Then, follow with an EPA-approved disinfectant, paying attention to proper contact time – the surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure the disinfectant is effective.6
It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to provide a recommended disinfection protocol, and as you can tell, we’ve done our homework to come up with a recommendation.
Check out how to clean your phone case with our Total Protection range safely here.
Want to learn more?
There are a lot of details and considerations that go into picking the right disinfectant to use on a device or surface. To learn more about our recommended disinfection protocol, check out our full whitepaper ‘How can you safely Disinfect your Devices against the SARS-CoV-2-Coronavirus’ here.
References
But do you know what disinfectants you should use to ensure it is properly cleaned?
Firstly, what surfaces should I be cleaning regularly?
Anything that we touch frequently needs to be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.
Examples of this would be handles, light switches, doorknobs, faucets, phones, devices, and keyboards. Most people are cautious and clean surfaces like countertops or tables, however when they pick up their devices (which is the most frequently touched object for many people) they neglect to clean them.
(Source: Res.Cloudinary)
What should I be disinfecting these regularly touched surfaces with?
You should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant on the EPA List N.
What is the EPA List N? Why is it important?
The EPA List N is a comprehensive list where when used according to the label directions can kill the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). These products are for use on surfaces, not humans. Children should not use these products.1
There is no preferred active ingredient in disinfectants. All EPA-registered disinfectants must provide efficacy data against the organisms claimed on the label, but each has a different mechanism.
The EPA states that inclusion on the List N does not constitute an endorsement by EPA. The EPA updates this list as needed when additional disinfectants meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).1
(Source: Encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com)
How do I effectively use the EPA List N?
The EPA lays out a step-by-step guide of how to use this list so everyone can understand if the product is effective in killing the Coronavirus.2
It is important to note that disinfectant products can be marketed and sold under different brand and product names. To determine whether EPA expects a given product to kill SARS-CoV-2, you need to determine whether its primary registration number is on this list.
How do I locate the primary registration number?
According to the EPA, the primary registration number is on the product label. Look for ‘EPA Reg. No.’ followed by two or three sets of numbers.2
Important areas to consider when locating this number on the product label:
How does the EPA know that the products on List N work on SARS-CoV-2?
The EPA expects the products on List N to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, because they:
But it is critical to understand that the EPA expects all products on List N to be effective when used according to label directions.3
Where can I find the EPA List N?
Now that you know how to locate which disinfectants are on the EPA List N check out the list here.4
(Source: Facility Executive)
Can I clean my device in a Catalyst case with disinfectants on the EPA List N?
Absolutely! Catalyst Total Protection Waterproof Cases have been tested to sustain repeated disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 70% ethanol. These have proven to work against similar coronaviruses like SARS and MERS by a study by the Journal of Hospital Infection5.
If the surface is visibly dirty, wash it first with soap and water. Then, follow with an EPA-approved disinfectant, paying attention to proper contact time – the surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure the disinfectant is effective.6
It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to provide a recommended disinfection protocol, and as you can tell, we’ve done our homework to come up with a recommendation.
Check out how to clean your phone case with our Total Protection range safely here.
Want to learn more?
There are a lot of details and considerations that go into picking the right disinfectant to use on a device or surface. To learn more about our recommended disinfection protocol, check out our full whitepaper ‘How can you safely Disinfect your Devices against the SARS-CoV-2-Coronavirus’ here.
References
There are so many ways and hundreds of products available to keep you, your surfaces and your belongings clean. However, do you truly know the correct process of how to clean and disinfect each surface?
What surfaces should I disinfect?
You should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant on the EPA List N.
It is important to regularly clean frequently touched surfaces including doorknobs, faucets, light switches, handles, phones and keyboards. Most people will be cautious and clean surfaces like countertops or tables, but then they pick up their devices, which is the most frequently touched object for many people and not give it a second thought.
(Source: The Budd Group)
What is the EPA List N? Why is it important?
The EPA List N is a comprehensive list that the EPA expects for all products on it to kill the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) when used according to the label directions.1
So, knowing all of the above, what is the best procedure to keep surfaces clean?
(Source: Business Business Business.com)
According to the EPA there are 6 steps for safe and effective disinfectant use.2
Step One: Check that your product is EPA-approved.
Step Two: Read the Directions.
Step Three: Pre-Clean the Surface.
Step Four: Follow the Contact Time.
Step Five: Wear gloves and Wash your Hands.
Step Six: Lock it Up!
Can I use this six-step procedure when cleaning my electronic device?
Yes - when using a Catalyst Total Protection Waterproof case! Our cases allow you to follow the EPA recommended procedure by safely pre-cleaning your device with soap and water and then disinfecting it with an EPA-approved disinfectant.
Before disinfection always check to see if the surface is visibly dirty. If it is wash it first with soap and water. Then, follow with an EPA-approved disinfectant, paying attention to proper contact time – the surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure the disinfectant is effective2.
It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to provide a recommended disinfection protocol, and as you can tell, we’ve done our homework to come up with a recommendation.
Catalyst Total Protection Waterproof Cases have been tested to sustain repeated disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 70% ethanol. These have proven to work against similar coronaviruses like SARS and MERS by a study by the Journal of Hospital Infection.3
According to the CDC, the best way to keep hard electronic devices clean is to use a wipeable cover or case designed to make it easier to clean and disinfect. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for cleaning the electronic item.4
To see the cleaning and disinfection process of our Total Protection cases in action click here.
What about alternative methods for cleaning and disinfecting devices?
The CDC only recommends use of the EPA List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19) against the virus that causes COVID-19.
In their guidelines for disinfection, the CDC does not recommend alternative disinfection methods, including UVC devices, because their efficacy is unknown against the virus that causes COVID-19 and the EPA does not routinely review the safety or efficacy of these devices.5
Where can I learn more about disinfection and cleaning surfaces?
There are a lot of details and considerations that go into picking the right disinfectant to use on a device or surface. To learn more about our recommended disinfection protocol, check out our full whitepaper ‘How can you safely Disinfect your Devices against the SARS-CoV-2-Coronavirus’ here.
References:
You should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant on the EPA List N. It is important to regularly clean frequently touched surfaces including doorknobs, faucets, light switches, handles, phones and keyboards. Most people will cautious and clean surfaces like countertops or tables, but then they pick up their devices, which is the most frequently touched object for many people. According to the CDC, the best way to keep hard electronic devices clean is to use a wipeable cover or case designed to make it easier to clean and disinfect. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for cleaning the electronic item1.
How do I know which disinfectants work on the virus causing COVID-19?
Not all disinfectants are effective against the novel coronavirus. During the initial outbreak of a new virus like COVID-19, no disinfectants existed on the market that could make claims to kill the virus, because the virus was simply not available for testing.
The CDC recommends that studies of cultures of novel SARS-CoV-2 should be conducted in a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory using BSL-3 practices2 but there is a limited number of BSL-3 labs in the world. Understandably, the immediate priority for research at these labs would focus on vaccines and treatments, so testing would have been a bottleneck. After that, it could still take more than one year to get a viral claim approved by a regulatory agency.
Since few disinfectants could be tested, the EPA took the approach of fast-tracking approvals of already approved disinfectants using a ‘hierarchy-based’ policy. This means that if a company’s product has been found to be effective against harder-to-kill viruses, it is likely to kill a virus like COVID-19.
The EPA expects the products on List N to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, because they:
What do you mean by harder-to-kill virus? What are the different types of viruses and which disinfectants are effective against them?
Viruses can be generally categorized into three groups by virus structure. This affects the effectiveness of disinfectants in killing the viruses.3
Since the novel coronavirus is lipid encapsulated, once you disrupt the lipid bilayer, it exposes the core proteins inactivating the virus, so it’s considered easier to kill vs. a non-enveloped virus.
A product that is likely to provide the greatest protection to you from COVID-19 will have claims against at least one non-enveloped virus such as Norovirus, Feline Calicivirus, Poliovirus, Rhinovirus, or Reovirus. This theory is the basis by which EPA has activated its Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides, regulating registrants that claim their products are effective against COVID-194 .
Most of the disinfectants on EPA List N were already EPA-registered as hospital/healthcare or broad-spectrum disinfectant. Their directions included use on hard, porous or non-porous surfaces based upon claims and testing against at least one non-enveloped virus.
On July 6th, 2020, the US EPA announced it approved a test method for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thus allowing disinfectants to get tested and submit their data to the US EPA for acceptance. If approved, they would be allowed to start the process of updating their chemical labels to include the SARS-CoV-2 claim.
You should stick to the products listed on the EPA List N. In reviewing a disinfectant for expedited review, the EPA would do a more thorough review of product chemistry, acute toxicology and appropriate efficacy studies. The efficacy data qualifies the product as a broad-spectrum or hospital hard surface disinfectant, and includes virucidal efficacy data for SARS-CoV-2 or another human coronavirus (e.g., ATCC 229E) or a non-enveloped virus.
Are there differences in the active ingredients in disinfectants?
There is no preferred active ingredient in disinfectants. All EPA-registered disinfectants must provide efficacy data against the organisms claimed on the label, but each has a different mechanism.
When selecting a disinfectant, try to select one appropriate for the surface it is intended to clean. There are advantages and disadvantages to every type of chemistry. Quaternary ammonium chemistry is a relatively surface-safe type of chemistry. It can act as a surfactant and help with the emulsification of soils and physical breakdown.
Some disinfectants will chemically attack items being disinfected. Stainless steel can be pitted by strong acids and (in some conditions) halogen active disinfectants.
Bleach is a great oxidizer, but it is a corrosive with a high pH and not suitable for all surfaces. It also usually needs to be left on a surface for a long time to work, which has the potential to discolor the material. In some applications bleach can cause more damage than good.
Plastics can be affected by disinfectants containing organic solvents while various metals may be attacked by strong acids or alkalis, halogen active substances or disinfectants containing electrolytes.
Alcohol is a great anti-septic, but it is flammable and can flash off surfaces quickly.
Hydrogen peroxide can also be a good cleaner, however peroxide chemistry is acidic and not all surface are acid resistant, so it may not be compatible with many materials.
Most disinfectants have toxic properties and some are also highly corrosive, causing damage if they come into contact with skin or eyes. Some products are less suitable for contact with skin such as products with a high level of alkalinity or highly oxidizing products, such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach), hydrogen peroxide, chloroxylenol, or quaternary ammonium or bleach. Some disinfectants e.g. glutaraldehyde and hypochlorites may also have irritant properties and so cause respiratory problems if used in poorly ventilated areas. Some disinfectants may react with other chemicals causing the release of hazardous gases e.g. bleach and acids or bleach and cleaning agents containing ammonia.
Precautions should be given for handling both concentrated disinfectants and made up in-use dilutions. When handling concentrated disinfectants care should be taken to avoid splashing, and goggles or a full-face visor and gloves should be worn.
How should I use a disinfectant?
When using these disinfectants, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to properly use the disinfectant, such as recommended use-dilution (if applicable), material compatibility, storage, shelf-life, and safe use and disposal.
Wear gloves and wash your hands. Some disinfectants are not skin safe, can be irritants or have toxicity when ingested, cause allergies or other health hazards. For some disinfectants, the directions will that you rinse the surface after disinfecting and this will be listed on the EPA List N as Food Contact Surfaces, Post-Rinse Required. In some cases, if you’re not wiping or rinsing the product off the surface, you can leave a chemical build-up over time which can lead to skin burns. It’s always best to wipe the surface post-cleaning to make sure it is not left with chemical residue. When a rinse is not necessary, this will be noted on EPA List N as Food Contact Surfaces, No Rinse. You can find out whether you need to rinse the surface after disinfection by reading the directions on the product label, however if you can’t tell, it’s best practice for you to wear gloves. For disposable gloves, discard them after each cleaning. For reusable gloves, dedicate a pair to disinfecting COVID-19. Wash your hands after removing the gloves. In our recommendations for disinfectants to be used on our waterproof cases, we recommend using a skin safe disinfectant.
Lock up the disinfectant after use. Keep lids tightly closed and store out of reach of children7. It is best practice to separate any After carefully removing so that you don’t touch the contaminated portions of the PPE that you have been wearing, it should be disposed of in a trash liner that is then is sealed up and disposed of with your normal waste.
What should I do to clean my device in a Catalyst case?
If the surface is visibly dirty, wash it first with soap and water. Then, follow with an EPA-approved disinfectant, paying attention to proper contact time – the surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure the disinfectant is effective8.
It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to provide a recommended disinfection protocol, and as you can tell, we’ve done our homework to come up with a recommendation.
Catalyst Waterproof Cases have been tested to sustain repeated disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 70% ethanol. These have proven to work against similar coronaviruses like SARS and MERS by a study by the Journal of Hospital Infection.9
According to the World Health Organization, in general, alcohol-based disinfectants (ethanol, propan-2-ol, propan1-ol) have been shown to significantly reduce infectivity of enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2, in concentrations of 70-80% with one minute exposure time.10
After cleaning, the following disinfectants and defined concentrations can be used on environmental surfaces to achieve a >3 log10 reduction of human coronavirus. They are also effective against other clinically relevant pathogens in the health-care setting:
In recommending a disinfection method, we needed to understand the toxicity of disinfectants & determine what was safe given the frequent skin contact to your devices.
The Catalyst Waterproof Case allows safe disinfection your phone or electronic device using 70% isopropyl alcohol or 70% ethanol. These are amongst the few disinfecting methods that are effective, skin-safe, and did not leave harmful chemical residue build-up that could pose a health hazard.
We also looked at the chemical compatibility of disinfectants that were proven to work against coronaviruses to determine if any of the materials in our cases would be degraded. Some disinfectants chemically attack items being disinfected, e.g. various metals (may be attacked by strong acids or alkalis, halogen active) or plastics (affected by solvents), which are what your device or cases may be made of. Choosing the wrong disinfectant would affect the performance of our cases, possibly making it no longer waterproof or drop proof. In some of our cases such as our Waterproof Case for the iPhone 11, there are 46 component parts. That’s a lot of reviewing, testing and evaluation!
Check out how to clean your phone case with our Total Protection range safely here.
Why are hand sanitizers not on the EPA’s list N?
EPA List N only includes EPA-registered, non-critical, hard non-porous surface disinfectants. At EPA, products used to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces are registered as antimicrobial pesticides12. An antimicrobial product or pesticide is intended to disinfect, sanitize, reduce, or mitigate growth or development of microbiological organisms 13.
Sanitizers and disinfectants are two types of antimicrobial pesticides14. Hand sanitizers, antiseptic washes and antibacterial soaps are not regulated as pesticides, because they are used to kill microbes in or on a person, and are regulated by the FDA. Antimicrobial hand hygiene products are regulated by FDA, which specifies the acceptable active ingredients and their use level. The two most popular on the market today are Ethanol (Alcohol) and Benzalkonium Chloride.
Sanitizers used on inanimate objects such as countertops and floors are regulated as pesticides. EPA-registered surface disinfectants, including surface wipes, should not be applied on the skin or ingested, but only used on surfaces.
Unlike EPA registered disinfectants, products regulated by the FDA, such as antimicrobial handwashes or antibacterial hand sanitizers, do not undergo viral efficacy testing. The FDA monograph (the “rule book”) assumes the active ingredients have antimicrobial activity, and responsible manufacturers will self-verify their formula’s efficacy against a list of 26 organisms including bacteria, yeast, and mold. This list of organisms is recommended by the FDA. Making anti-viral claims or reduction in illness claims are considered false and misleading under the monograph, leading to enforcement by the FDA.
What does log reduction mean?
Log reduction or 99.9% or 99.9999% effectiveness are terms used to correlate to efficacy provided by a specific disinfectant or sanitizer. This means the percent of pathogens able to be killed from a hard non-porous surface as long as all label directions are followed properly.
What is the difference between a disinfectant and sanitizer?
Disinfection is 100% kill of the claimed organism. A sanitizer claim for nonfood contact surfaces is 99.9% of the claimed organism, or reducing the level of bacteria to a level considered safe by public health standards or requirements.
Sanitizers cannot claim viricidal data. For food service, a sanitizer should reduce the level of bacteria on a surface by 99.99%. Sanitizing does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. Most sanitizers, as well as disinfectants, require a clean surface in order to be effective at killing germs.
Can I use an alternative disinfection method?
CDC only recommends use of the EPA List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19) against the virus that causes COVID-19. In their guidelines for disinfection, the CDC does not recommend alternative disinfection methods, including UVC devices, because their efficacy is unknown against the virus that causes COVID-19 and the EPA does not routinely review the safety or efficacy of these devices.15
Studies using UVC to disinfect and reuse masks show that even when using this alternative disinfection method, it is still important to supplement this with the primary recommended method to clean and disinfect. Consumers should continue using a disinfectant on the EPA List N Disinfectants for Coronavirus, since UVC may not be fully effective on all materials.
Check out our other articles around dispelling the myths about alternative disinfection methods such as antimicrobial products and UVC lamps.
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During the Coronavirus pandemic, there have been many questions about UVC sanitizing devices, (a.k.a. ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps) to disinfect surfaces versus using bleach or disinfectants to clean everything. This is probably because it seems lamps would be a little easier to work with when you have parts that can’t be doused with liquids, like bleach.
However, most consumers aren’t aware devices may not work or be safe to use when they’re disinfected to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
There's a huge need for COVID-19 education, but there's a gap in credible sources. We committed to spending the time and effort educating consumers on the fast-evolving world related to viruses and disinfection.
Firstly, what is UVC light?
UVC is the radiation from the highest energy portion of the UV spectrum (100-280 nm)1.
Basically, it comes naturally from the sun, filtered by the ozone layer; but, it can also be created by artificial sources used in industry, commerce and recreation2.
UVC radiation has been employed to disinfect things such as:
For this reason, UVC lamps are often called "germicidal" lamps, meaning that it kills germs. The range of 200–270 nm is known as the “germicidal UVC spectrum”4, because it is strongly absorbed by the nucleic acids and disrupting the DNA of a microorganism; and, therefore, is the most
How does UVC destroy germs?
UVC is electromagnetic radiation that works to inactivate germs and microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, molds, or protozoa. It does this by damaging their genomic material (their DNA or RNA).
Specifically, in viruses, viral inactivation works by altering the surface chemistry of a virus, making it unable to infect new cells. Many viruses contain lipid or protein coats that can be inactivated by chemical alteration, heat processing, solvents, etc.
UVC inactivation of viruses works by destroying the outer protein coating. This further damages the genetic material in the nucleus of the cell, or nucleic acids in the virus, which damages the DNA of the microorganism6,7.This makes the virus unable to replicate itself and infect new host cells, effectively killing the virus’ ability to spread.
UVC radiation has several potential applications, but unfortunately its effectiveness against germs is influenced by many factors like:
Currently, UV-C lamps are becoming more popular than ever, however it is critical to understand if they actually eliminate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Can UVC be used to disinfect against COVID-19?
According to the FDA, we don’t know; we don’t have enough information about the conditions needed for UVC to be used against COVID-19. There is very limited data published about the correct wavelength, dose, and duration of UVC radiation that would inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus from surfaces and equipment2.
There is some data that indicates that Far-UVC (222nm) may be effective. In a study on 2 different similar coronaviruses, Far-UVC light at the specific wavelength of 222nm was shown to destroy the outer protein coating of these human coronaviruses (alpha HCoV-229E and beta HCoV-OC43), ultimately leading to inactivation of the virus.
Far UV-C radiation (222 nm) may also be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the human beta HCoV-OC43 comes from a similar family of coronaviruses as SARS-CoV-2), although these results are still preliminary8.
However, there are a lot of caveats. Even if these UVC devices do work, you may have a false sense of safety since you need to meet all of the conditions for the device to be effective, and not all of the virus on a surface may be killed.
The problem is that in order for UVC light to work, you need to directly expose the virus on all surfaces and all angles. That means that the UVC device needs to have a direct line of sight to the virus. For it to work correctly, the virus cannot be covered by dust or soil, contaminants such as bodily fluids, or embedded in porous surface or on the underside of a surface.
Is it safe to use UVC lamps?
No. In general, direct exposure to UVC light is not proven to be safe and further studies are needed. According to the FDA, UVC lamps that are used for disinfection purposes may pose health and safety risks to you, depending on the UVC wavelength, dose, and duration when you are directly exposed to radiation from the device.
Depending upon the wavelength, direct exposure to UVC light is known to cause skin cancer or eye damage. UVC light can severely damage the human eye (photokeratitis), even causing a burning eye sensation9. UVC light can cause a stark, sunburn-like reaction to the human skin, with DNA mutations that can lead to cancer11 .
You should never look directly at a UVC lamp source, even briefly, due to the damage it may cause to your eyes. When around these devices, wear protective eyewear or a face shield, and fully cover up with clothing to avoid any exposure of your skin to the device2.
There are other significant safety risks. Ozone (O3) can be produced unintentionally in the air upon exposure to UVC rays, particularly with low-pressure Mercury (Hg) vapor lamps that can emit Vacuum-Ultraviolet (VUV) light at 185 nm10 12 . Ozone is a known human toxin. When inhaled even in relatively low amounts, it can damage the lungs, cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.13
Ozone generation should be evaluated to ensure it is below the maximum acceptable level of ozone established by the FDA in 21 CFR 801.415.14 This states a device will not generate ozone at a level of .05 PPM by volume of air circulating through the device, or cause an accumulation of ozone in excess of .05 PPM by the volume of air in the atmosphere of the enclosed space. According to OSHA, the current NIOSH limit of ozone exposure for an 8-hour day of industrial workers, is .1 PPM15 .
The most common UVC lamps are made with mercury. Since mercury is toxic even in small amounts, you need to be very careful if you break the lamp and follow recommended safety guidelines from the manufacturer to clean and dispose of the lamp. The EPA provides instructions on how to safely clean up a broken lamp that contains mercury. These steps include leaving the room since mercury vapor may be released and not using a vacuum, which could otherwise spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor in broken parts.16
What are the different types of lamps that can produce UVC radiation?
Not all UVC lamps are the same, which complicates the conversation about whether or not UVC lamps work or are safe.
Lamps may emit very specific UVC wavelengths (like 254 nm or 222 nm), or they may emit a broad range of UV wavelengths. The wavelengths emitted by the lamp may affect the lamp’s ability to inactivate a virus. Some lamps emit multiple types of wavelengths including IR and visible light. Testing of the lamp can determine whetherit puts other wavelengths, and if so, how much. Some of these other wavelengths can also be a health hazard, both to the skin and eye.
The most commonly used UV lamp is a low pressure mercury-vapor arc lamp, which mainly (>90%) emits around 254 nm and also emits at other wavelengths. There are other lamps available that emit a broad range of UV wavelengths, but they also emit visible and infrared radiation, which can cause eye damage.
More recently, pulsed xenon lamps have been used in hospital operating rooms to disinfect surfaces when people are not present. These lamps emit a short pulse of broad spectrum (including UV, visible and infrared) light, filtered to emit mainly UVC radiation.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that produce UV radiation are also becoming more commonly available, but there are a lot of questions about whether or not these work (see section on how reliable UVC lamps are below). Typically, these LEDs emit a very narrow wavelength band
of radiation, usually with peak wavelengths at 214 nm, 265 nm, and 273 nm. While it is a good that they contain no mercury, the small surface area and higher directionality of LEDs may make them less effective for germicidal applications.
Lastly, there is some evidence that Excimer lamps (or Far-UVC lamps) that operate in the Far UVC light spectrum (207 to 22nm) with peak wavelength of 222-nm, may cause less damage to the skin, eyes, and DNA than the 254 nm wavelength, but long-term safety data is lacking. These excimer lamps contain argon-fluorine, krypton-bromine, or krypton-chlorine mixtures, which product Far-UVC light at 193, 207 and 222nm respectively.17, 18
At this time, these excimer lamps are mostly being used for evalutaion in labs, but are not the most commonly available UVC lamps in the marketplace, and there is very little experience with any widespread use.19 A major safety concern when considering excimer lamps for consumer use is UV sources emitting < 240 nm light can produce ozone. This is hazardous to human health, and would require sufficient ventilation to reduce the concentration of ozone.
How long do I need to use the UVC device for it to be effective?
It depends upon the wavelength and the dosage (output of the device). Many UVC lamps sold for home use are designed to provide a low dose. Even if the dosage is sufficient, it may take a lot longer exposure time to a given surface area to potentially inactivate a bacteria or virus.
So, the wavelength has a direct impact on safety and effectiveness, the dosage needs to be strong enough to work, and the lamp needs sufficient output to meet the dosage requirement. The amount of UVC energy needed to effectively sanitize is much higher than normal sunlight10, which carries risks to humans if the device is not installed properly, or used by untrained individuals2.
There is a regulatory limit for the amount of 222 nm light the public can be exposed to, which is 23 mJ/cm2 per 8-hour exposure36,37. Based on test results on the beta HCoV-OC43 human coronavirus, continuous Far-UVC exposure at the regulatory limit would result in:
How reliable is this method of disinfection?
It depends upon the conditions. The application of UV radiation in the health care environment (i.e., operating rooms, isolation rooms, and biologic safety cabinets) is limited to the destruction of airborne organisms or inactivation of microorganisms on exposed surfaces3. In other words, the virus or bacterium will not be inactivated if it is covered by dust or soil, embedded in porous shell, or on the underside of a surface2.
Even if scientific studies were done to establish the wavelength, dosage and duration to effectively disinfect against COVID-19, you would need to make sure the UVC lamp produces a high enough UVC output in order for the dosage to be effective. For UVC light to quickly inactivate in a short duration of time most germs (bacteria, viruses, yeast, molds, protozoa), you would need a high energy dosage of UVC to achieve a high kill factor (effectively inactivating most of the germs on a surface)20:
UVC lamps usually carry power ratings based on their power consumption rather than their power output. UV-C irradiance should not be calculated from rated lamp power, as bulbs do not have 100% efficiency in converting electrical energy to optical power. To determine the output, you would need measure irradiance using a UVC specific at the surface to measure the dose from lamp power. A rule of thumb for the most common mercury UVC lamp is that their actual 254nm output is between 10 and 30% of their input rating because of heat losses and the inefficiency of the lamp ballast. There are better quality, larger, high-power lamps but they cost more.21
Quality is important because it is possible to find inexpensive UVC lamps from China sold online whose quality is questionable. Many of these are advertised as being in the 10-W range. Experts say that for a 10-W lamp, a good ballpark output would be 1 W, so the output would actually only be 10% of the power rating.
What can we learn from research on UVC use to decontaminate and reuse masks?
Even in the scientific community, it has been important to validate each UV device manufacturer, as not all UV sources provide the required UVC wavelength range, irradiance, or irradiance uniformity. According to N95Decon.org (a consortium of scientists that have studied using UVC to support essential workers fighting COVID-19 by sharing scientifically-based information on the proper use of respirators, masks, and other personal protective equipment) viral inactivation protocols using UVC designed for surfaces or air are insufficient/not effective to decontaminate N95 masks for re-use22.
Testing of UVC sources used in research laboratories to disinfect and reuse masks (e.g., biosafety cabinets) found unacceptable non-uniformity and low power. The exact UVC dose on the N95 surface needs to be studied to understand conditions needed for that device to sufficiently decontaminate against COVID-19.
The consortium recommends using a substantially higher UV-C dose of 1.0 J/cm at the N95 surface for UVC light to be effective. The shape of the item being disinfected also impacts the dosage of UVC light received from a lamp depending upon the distance and angle of exposure to a surface. 23 UVC exposure needs to be irradiated on multiple sides/angles with no obstructions or materials blocking line-of-sight. This includes things such as cosmetics and sunscreen (which may block UVC) in order for all surfaces need to be exposed to the marginally acceptable UVC dose, and the CDC does not recommend wearing makeup or sunscreen with masks. The efficacy of UVC on different materials is different even on masks made of different materials, with incomplete decontamination on some materials requiring a second disinfection method (such as the elastic straps of facepieces) and other materials reflect light and thereby amplify dosage, and that at too high a dosage, some materials would be damaged. High humidity decreased effectiveness of UVC and soiling agents (dirt, makeup, sunscreen) also could reduce the effectiveness of UVC.
The consortium also found that many consumer UV products do not emit UV-C with sufficient irradiance, and have peak emission in the UV-A range (e.g., nail polish curing lamps, tanning bed lamps, etc.), which is ineffective for decontamination.
Are there other considerations that affect UVC devices?
The design (or form factor) of the device also has an impact on output. A typical 10-W lamp is about 8-in long, but the light-emitting part of the tube is only about 5-in long.
Lamps typically must warm-up before reaching full output. For some lamps, the process of turning the lamps on and off can diminish their lifespan and some manufacturers say that cycling the device on and off more than four times daily can diminish the life of the UVC bulb.
Most commonly available UVC lamps are made of mercury and produce UVC at 256nm at lower dosage output, however UVC light at this wavelength causes DNA mutations in cells. While Far UVC light (222nm) is less common, and while it is less likely to cause damage to skin or eyes, ozone forms at wavelengths below 242 nm and this creates additional safety concerns especially for use by consumers.
Beware of low cost UVC lamps. There are cost differences between mercury vapor UVC lamps and LED UVC lamps. For the same output level, LED UVC lamps are more expensive than ordinary LEDs. Unlike mercury vapor UVC lamps, high powered LEDs would likely require an additional heat sink, which also adds to cost. There have been reports that a lot of the germicidal lights based on LEDs are actually fake, putting out light in some other wavelength range other than UVC or that their UVC output is so low that the UVC light dosage probably isn’t able to disinfect anything:24
Can UVC damage my phone, my case or other protective equipment or materials?
Yes, UVC can damage materials, such as plastic, polymers and dyed textile. In general, it will degrade paint, turn plastics yellow and destroy air filters based on their composition2, 4, 10 . The problem is these are the materials used frequently in cases for phones, smartwatches and tablets and it’s what many devices are primarily made of.
With enough exposure, UV light can cause photodegradation, a chemical reaction that affects organic compounds causing the material to breakdown leading to changes in material and chemical properties. The degree of photodegration depends on the environment, including if there are any other chemicals or substances on the surface, the light intensity, and the degree of absorption, which depends upon the UV wavelength. For shorter UV wavelengths (with a lower UV wavelength number) they have a higher energy potential than longer wavelength UV. This has an accelerated aging effect on materials and paints.
In most plastics, it’s common to add UV stabilizers. This helps avoid aging from UV light which turns plastic yellow, and may cause it to become brittle, develop stress cracking, and make it more prone to breaking. Most phone and device manufacturers do not factor this into the natural aging of the device, so this may impact the lifespan of the device and possibly invalidate or void the warranty of the device manufacturer. Use of these devices would also be outside the instructions of most manufacturers, and likely would invalidate any warranty.
Because it is also absorbed by these components, it can result in photo-degradation leading to the loss of material characteristics and properties.25
UVC may damage plants; therefore, hanging plants should not be placed in the disinfection zone in upper-room applications or in whole-room UVC applications19.
Given these safety issues, how are these devices regulated?
The FDA is responsible for regulating firms who manufacture, repackage, relabel, and/or import medical devices sold in the United States.
If the device is a medical device with claims for medical use, the device requires FDA clearance, approval, or authorization prior to marketing. A device is considered to be a medical device if it makes claims for medical use, e.g. stating it's for medical purposes; reduction or prevention of infection; prevention of any adverse health effect such as alleviation of allergies, asthma, et cetera; or if it claims to provide any specific
health benefits; or if it is for use on another medical device.
The FDA regulates electronic products that emit radiation (both non-medical and medical products), such as UVC lamps, through the Electronic Product Radiation Control Provisions, originally enacted as the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act.
UVC lamp manufacturers are responsible for compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, including Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1000 through 1004, and section 1005.25 and, as applicable, 21 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter H. The radiological health regulations include reporting of Accidental Radiation Occurrences, notification to the FDA and customers of radiation safety defects, and designation of a U.S. agent for imported lamps.
When a UVC lamp is regulated only as an electronic product, there are currently no specific FDA performance standards that apply. However if the device claims any function of a medical nature, it would then be subject to compliance with FDA regulations. Consumers can report a problem with a UVC lamp to the manufacturer and the FDA.
If the UVC lamp is not considered to be a medical device, it would be regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as a pesticide device. If it is sold or distributed with claims to kill or be otherwise effective against viruses and/or bacteria, and unless an exception applies, the UVC manufacturer must comply with certain statutory and regulatory requirements.26
UV lights that are sold or distributed with claims that the product can be used for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest (plant, animal, virus, bacteria or other microorganism) are federally regulated by EPA under FIFRA as a device, in particular FIFRA Sections 2(q) and Section 7.26
While not all UVC devices need to be EPA-registered, some states do require registration of devices that EPA does not regulate, or they may have other regulations that apply to devices. Devices need to be produced in an EPA-registered pesticide producing establishment, follow production reporting requirements under 40 C.F.R Part 167, and must be labelled per federal regulations at 40 C.F.R Part 156 to include warning and caution statements, directions for use and the EPA establishment number.24
More importantly, all marketing of any UVC device should be true including about the UVC effectiveness, safety, how it works and should be used and how it shouldn’t be used, and this should be supported by testing and documentation.
According to the EPA, there has been an increase in the production of unregistered, misbranded, and unproven pesticides and pesticide devices claiming to reduce or eliminate SARS-CoV-2 being offered for sale online27.
Any false marketing materials or false information on websites violate FIFRA Section 12(a)(1)(F), including if a manufacturer makes false or misleading statements about the UVC lamp’s effectiveness (known as efficacy), claims about the product’s safety that are untrue, false or misleading comparisons with other pesticides or devices, or any statement directly or indirectly implying that the device is recommended or endorsed by any Federal Government agency.
According to the EPA, consumers should beware of imposter disinfectant products that are being marketed online with potentially dangerous claims of protection against the novel coronavirus. EPA is working with the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to bring the full force of the law against those selling fraudulent or unregistered products.
In a press release from the EPA on Oct 15, 2020, they EPA said that “Unregistered disinfectants put consumers at risk. Whether these products are being sold to make a quick buck or are being sold out of ignorance, EPA will not allow the public to be endangered by companies taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation and selling ineffective products,” said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. “Disinfectants and other pesticide products that are not properly tested and registered can pose a serious risk to public health. EPA is working with public and private partners to ensure that pesticide products imported into, and sold in, the U.S. are safe and effective.” The EPA Administrator also has reached out to major retailers and third-party marketplaces to ensure that only approved disinfectant products are available for sale.27
If a UVC device claims to “Kill SARS-CoV-2”, it may be misleading if that device hasn’t been tested against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. “SARS-CoV-2” refers to a virus. “COVID-19” refers to a disease and diseases cannot be “killed.” Therefore, the claim “Kills COVID-19” is always considered false and misleading.
EPA advises consumers to use all pesticidal devices ONLY in accordance with the Directions for Use, which are required to appear on the product label. EPA recommends that consumers contact the manufacturer or seller of the pesticidal device directly if they have any questions about how to use the product, the product’s safety, or the product’s efficacy. All of these things should be documented since the EPA advises companies to maintain records with information and data to substantiate claims made in regard to devices.
If the UVC device is imported, then the manufacturer also needs to comply with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations set forth at 19 C.F.R. §§ 12.110 -12.117. The device must be in compliance with FIFRA prior to entry into the United States. The EPA has stopped imports of illegal pesticide products from entering the country working with the CBP.
To report a violation to the EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/forms/enforcement-contact-us
For more on how what is the best procedure to keep surfaces and devices clean check out our recommended protocol here.
References:
1. WHO, UV Lights and Lamps: Ultraviolet-C Radiation, Disinfection, and Coronavirus. https://www.who.int/health-topics/ultraviolet-radiation#tab=tab_1, World Health Organisation, (2020).
2. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/uv-lights-and-lamps-ultraviolet-c-radiation-disinfection-and-coronavirus Medical Devices (2020).
3. CDC. Miscellaneous Inactivating Agents: Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008). Infection Control https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/miscellaneous.html#anchor_1554329810 (2008).
4. Irving, D. et al. A comparison study of the degradative effects and safety implications of UVC and 405 nm germicidal light sources for endoscope storage. Polymer Degradation and Stability 133, 249-254, doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2016.09.006 (2016).
5 Gurzadyan, G. G., Görner, H. & Schulte-Frohlinde, D. Ultraviolet (193, 216 and 254 nm) photoinactivation of Escherichia coli strains with different repair deficiencies. Radiat Res 141, 244-251 (1995).
6 Chang, J. C. et al. UV inactivation of pathogenic and indicator microorganisms. Appl Environ Microbiol 49, 1361-1365, doi:10.1128/aem.49.6.1361-1365.1985 (1985).
7. Dai, T., Vrahas, M. S., Murray, C. K. & Hamblin, M. R. Ultraviolet C irradiation: an alternative antimicrobial approach to localized infections? Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 10, 185-195, doi:10.1586/eri.11.166 (2012).
8.Scientific Reports, Nature Research, Far-UVC light (222nm) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-67211-2.pdf (2020)
9. Sliney, D. Balancing the risk of eye irritation from UV-C with infection from bioaerosols. Photochem Photobiol 89, 770-776, doi:10.1111/php.12093 (2013).
10. GLA. Position Statement on Germicidal UV-C Irradiation UV-C SAFETY GUIDELINES. https://www.globallightingassociation.org/images/files/publications/GLA_UV-C_Safety_Position_Statement.pdf Global Lighting Association (2020)
11. ACS. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/radiation-exposure/uv-radiation.html American Cancer Society (2019).
12 . Szeto, W., Yam, W. C., Huang, H. & Leung, D. Y. C. The efficacy of vacuum-ultraviolet light disinfection of some common environmental pathogens. BMC Infect Dis 20, 127-127, doi:10.1186/s12879-020-4847-9 (2020).
13 . EPA. Ozone Generators that are Sold as Air Cleaners. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners USA Environmental Protection Agency (2020).
13 Kitagawa, H. et al. Effectiveness of 222-nm ultraviolet light on disinfecting SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination. American Journal of Infection Control, doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2020.08.022.
14. FDA. CFR – Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=801.415 U.S. Food & Drug Administration (2020)
15. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Standard Interpretations / 8-hour total weight average (TWA) permissiable exposure limit (PEL) https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1995-10-06-3 United States Department of Labor (1995)
16. EPA. Cleaning up a Broken CFL https://www.epa.gov/cfl/cleaning-broken-cfl USA Environmental Protection Agency (2020).
17. National Library of Medicine. Germicidal Efficacy and Mammalian Skin Safety of 222-nm UV Light. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28225654/ , (2017),
18. Nature, FDA. Depending on the glass envelope, small but significant levels of longer wavelengths may be of concern.23 Woods JA, Evans A, Forbes PD, Coates PJ, Gardner J, Valentine RM, Ibbotson SH, Ferguson J, Fricker C, Moseley H. The effect of 222-nm phototesting on healthy volunteer skin: A pilot study. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2015;31:159-66.(2020)
19. Illuminating Engineering Society, IES Committee Report CR-2-20 FAQs, https://www.ies.org/standards/committee-reports/ies-committee-report-cr-2-20-faqs/, (2020)
20. American Air & Water, Germicidal UV Dose, UV Irradiation Dosage Table https://www.americanairandwater.com/uv-facts/uv-dosage.htm, (2020).
21. Power Electronic Tips, Shedding light on how much UV-C you need for disinfection, https://www.powerelectronictips.com/shedding-light-on-how-much-uv-c-you-need-for-disinfection-faq , (2020)
22. N95Decon Research Document, Technical Report for UV-C Based N95 Reuse Risk Management, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e8126f89327941b9453eeef/t/5f39ec50d689050994c07338/1597631576383/20200826_N95DECON_UVC_technical_report_v2_1.pdf (2020).
23. Wiley Online Library, UVC Germidical Units: Determination of Dose Received and Parameters to be Considered for N95 Respirator Decontamination and Reuse, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/php.13322, (2020)
24. Power Electronic Tips, When it comes to UV-C LED lights, buyer beware, https://www.powerelectronictips.com/when-it-comes-to-uv-c-led-lights-buyer-beware (2020)
25. Singh, B. & Sharma, N. Mechanistic implications of plastic degradation. Polymer Degradation and Stability 93, 561-584, doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2007.11.008 (2008).
26. EPA, Compliance Advisory: EPA Regulations about UV lights that Claim to Kill or Be Effective Against Viruses and Bacteria, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-10/documents/uvlight-complianceadvisory.pdf Environmental Protection Agency United States, (2020)
27. EPA, EPA Takes Action to Protect Public from Coronavirus Protection Scams, https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-action-protect-public-coronavirus-protection-scams, (2020)
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No, they aren’t. While there are many claims from material suppliers on the benefits of their antimicrobial additives, to the best of our knowledge at this time, no suppliers or manufacturers of the antimicrobial additives claim to be effective at killing viruses.
Recently, there has been a lot of interest in getting approvals for residual efficacy claims (i.e., claims that a product provides an ongoing antimicrobial effect beyond the initial time of application, ranging from days to weeks to months). There is significant desire from stakeholders and the public for products that are continuously active and can provide efficacy in between regular cleaning and disinfection. These products may reduce the level of re-contamination on high touch surfaces.
EPA has not evaluated the efficacy of any products claiming long-lasting efficacy against viruses; and, therefore, there are no EPA-registered products with label claims that they are effective against viruses over the course of hours to months (i.e., “residual” or “long lasting” efficacy claims)1.
What are these antimicrobial products claiming to work on, then?
There are some antimicrobial pesticides that EPA calls “materials preservatives” that can be incorporated into articles. Known as “treated articles,” these plastics, textiles or other materials are treated with, or contain, a materials preservative to protect the article itself from mold or bacteria that can cause odor, discoloration or deterioration.
For example, durable antimicrobial coatings only allow product claims of inhibiting odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew, excluding any claims regarding food-borne illnesses and disease-causing bacteria.
Therefore, these products are only approved to prevent odors, staining, or deterioration caused by select microbes on surfaces. They cannot claim to improve or protect public health.
So currently, the only EPA-registered products claiming long-lasting effectiveness are limited against control odor-causing bacteria on hard, non-porous surfaces, and there are no EPA-registered products that claim long-lasting disinfection.
Treated articles cannot claim that they are effective against viruses and bacteria that cause human illness. This means that they are not appropriate for controlling COVID-19.
According to Microban, the world leader in antimicrobial technologies and odor control solutions, their built-in antimicrobial technologies are effective against a plethora of product damaging microbes, but are not currently proven to have any antiviral properties when built-into products2. Microban claims that the active technology itself may be effective against viruses in pure state, but not when incorporated into a product.
Under FIFRA, all pesticide products (including antimicrobials) must be registered with the EPA prior to sale, distribution, or use. There are currently no antimicrobial products that are registered with the EPA so they cannot make claims of efficacy against the novel coronavirus.
Why are some products claiming a residual pathogen kill, then?
Products that have a residual kill claim fall under the EPA “treated article” exemption3.
These products cannot make human health claims. Most of these products are for odor control or construction materials. They are not ideal for healthcare or similar environments because they give a false sense of security and imply you don’t need to frequently clean surfaces.
Products treated with antimicrobial pesticides with claims such as those described in Section A below are likely to not be acceptable under the “treated articles exemption” because they imply or express protection that extends beyond the treated article or substance itself. Products treated with antimicrobial pesticides registered for such use and which only bear claims for protection of the article or substance itself such as those described in Section B below are likely to be acceptable and eligible for the “treated articles exemption”, assuming all other conditions have been met.
The EPA has indicated that the exemption doesn’t apply and EPA registration applies if company’s make claims such as4 :
In the example above of treated articles for microbial odor control, if the treated article is not an EPA registered product, the manufacturer needs to avoid inadvertently creating the impression that it provides protection against disease-causing bacteria, the EPA recommends qualifying statements such as: “This product does not protect users or others against disease-causing bacteria. Always clean this product thoroughly after each use.” or “This product does not protect users or others against bacteria, viruses, germs or other disease organisms. Always clean this product thoroughly after each use.”
What kind of testing or evaluation would they need to show efficacy to make a claim of effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2?
Products with residual effect claims that qualify for this expedited review fall into two major categories; (1) disinfectants that also provide residual efficacy, and (2) supplemental residual antimicrobial products (e.g., coatings, paints, solid surfaces) that do not meet EPA’s standards for disinfectants, but are intended to be used as a supplement to standard List N disinfectants.
Presently, EPA has an approved list for supplemental residual antimicrobial products5. All products on this list are supplemental which means they can complement, but do not replace, routine cleaning and disinfection using disinfectants on the EPA List N.5,6
Can these alternative disinfectants be used on their own in place of the List N disinfectants?
Part of the challenge of proving efficacy for standalone use instead of a normal disinfectant are the testing endpoints you would need to use to demonstrate that the product works.
With a normal disinfectant, the theory is if you had live virus on a surface, you could disinfect it immediately by applying the disinfectant. This inactivates the virus and you could evaluate this by measuring the log reduction in active virus that happens over time.
However, these treated articles usually work by having the presence of a chemical or substance that acts as an inhibitor to prevent the growth, or replication of a virus, which can only replicate within a living host cell. So, you would have to come up with a test showing if you had new live virus land on a surface treated with this chemical or substance, it would immediately render the virus inactive and stop its spread, just by it’s presence on the surface. This would depend upon the degree of exposure resulting from multiple factors upheld over a long period of time, such as concentration of the inhibitor, proximity, environmental exposure, temperature, humidity, presence of dirt, germs, organic or inorganic matter, durability of the coating or surface treatment, etc.
It’s harder to prove that you can maintain the ideal conditions for these treated articles to work on their own over a long period of time without some degradation or less effective viral inactivation.
As a result, it’s much simpler to immediately disinfect against coronavirus using an approved disinfectant.
One of the serious issues with making treated articles widely available and unregulated in consumer products is that if they contain a pesticide that is antibacterial but the concentration is too low to be effective, it would not kill all bacteria leading some to survive and potentially become resistant strains, which leads to public health concerns as they complicate efforts to control and treat infections as they spread.
For more on how what is the best procedure to keep surfaces and devices clean check out our recommended protocol here.
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(Photo Credit: Toast Caster)
3 By the end of this podcast, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what antimicrobial really means and the safest way on how to disinfect your phone.
Plus, you’ll also learn a little more about Catalyst’s history and how we have harnessed our impressive skill set to not only create world leading cases but also develop much needed premium PPE4 for healthcare and businesses.
A big thanks again to Greg for having June geek out on his insightful Podcast ToastCaster. For those who don’t know who Greg Gazin is (or how he may be more fondly known as Gadget Guy and Gadget Greg) he is a freelance syndicated veteran tech columnist, communication, leadership and technology speaker, facilitator, blogger, podcaster and author. Greg also helps consumers demystify technology and shows how it can be useful, practical and even fun. 5
References:
1. CDC (ed USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Cleaning and Disinfecting your home — United States, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6943a3.htm, September 2020.
2. CDC (ed USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19), https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6943a3.htm, 2020.
3. Toastcaster Communication Leadership Learning Lab, Episode 146: Scientist’s View of Protecting You from Your Phone & Yourself – June Lai, https://www.podbean.com/media/player/cihvr-f57c26&?from=usersite&skin=3&fonts=Helvetica&auto=0&download=1&share=1&version=1&btn-skin=109, December 2020.
4. Business Catalyst Case, Personal Protective Equipment Homepage, https://business.catalystcase.com/, December 2020
5. Gadget Greg, About Greg Gazin, http://gadgetgreg.com/about/, 2020.
(Photo Credit: News Hub)
(Photo credits: Apple)
Most people have a blood oxygen levels of 95-100%. However, there are some exceptions and there can be slightly lower values while sleeping. This measure of oxygen saturation (SpO2) shows how much oxygen from your lungs’ red blood cells are being transported to other parts of the body.
This blood oxygen reader is more relevant and important to the population than ever before due to COVID-19. Low blood oxygen levels, or hypoxemia, have been linked to COVID-19 due the virus’s interference with your ability to get enough oxygen.
Doctors have used SpO2 levels to determine the severity of COVID-19 cases and treat those patients accordingly.2 This is the first time the blood oximeter (which delivers similar results as a pulse oximeter) has been built into a smartwatch, making it easily accessible for users to monitor their general health throughout the pandemic.
When doctors pointed out early in the pandemic that people with the Coronavirus often arrive at the hospital with abnormally low oxygen levels, sales of pulse oximeters skyrocketed. Some doctors have reported COVID-19 patients entering the hospital with oxygen levels at 50% or below.3
A low oxygen reading by itself is not enough to diagnose COVID-19, but doctors want to know about it, especially if you notice the level decreasing over time. Plus, if you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 your doctor may want to monitor your oxygen level to determine whether your condition is becoming worse or improving.
In this way, having the Apple Watch Series 6 and frequently monitoring your blood oxygen level can really help track your overall wellness during the pandemic, getting users ahead of the virus versus continuously chasing it.
Alongside of the innovative blood oxygen reader the Apple Watch Series 6 continues to have its EKG feature that tracks your heart rate and rhythm and can detect a condition called atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). Apple went through a long, extensive process to validate this feature thereby receiving approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).4
As part of this approval process Apple had to provide and publish data showing that the feature could flag this condition. Doctors and experts were able to examine this data and there are many published studies that show how effective the Apple Watch can be in detecting dangerous heart rhythms.5
(Photo Credits: Hardware Zone)
The Apple Watch Series 6 is also being used with medical professionals as a tool within their Telehealth services toolbox as it provides useful metrics for patient consultations.
Telehealth is the use of two-way telecommunications technologies to provide clinical health care through a variety of remote methods. This creates a safer option for patients to receive the medical care they need from Healthcare Providers while socially distancing to mitigate the risk of spread to individuals that do not have COVID. It also reduces the strain on healthcare systems by minimizing the surge of patient demand on facilities and reduce the use of PPE by healthcare providers.6
The CDC analyzed the trends of increases in telehealth services since the pandemic broke out worldwide. During the first quarter of 2020, the number of telehealth visits increased by 50% versus Q1 2019. This number is expected to increase throughout 2021 as the virus has continued to spread internationally.7
For more information on how the CDC is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and how we are working with the CDC Foundation check out our Catalyst Cares program here.
Many healthcare professionals are new to performing telehealth visits, so having a list of the most common medical equipment can help make the transition to online visits easier. These tools include things such as remote vital monitoring, virtual stethoscopes, wireless scales, digital otoscopes, high quality cameras, pulse or blood oxygen oximeters and HIPAA-compliant software to perform their job more effectively while analyzing their patient.
During the COVID-19 national emergency in the U.S., the ECG app on Apple Watch can serve as a substitute for in-clinic diagnostic testing, which reduces the risk of exposure for both patients and Healthcare providers. Healthcare providers can use it for clinical use
cases where a single-Lead or Lead I ECG test can help effectively diagnose certain arrhythmias or manage related conditions.8
This is important because some drugs have side effects of causing QT prolongation, a heart rhythm condition that can potentially cause fast, chaotic heartbeats, and which leads to an increased risk of heart failure or death. Some of the drugs proposed to treat COVID-19, including hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, are known to prolong the QT interval, creating safety concerns and the need for out-patient monitoring. 9 This led the American College of Cardiology to recommend QT monitoring for outpatients with COVID-19 on hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin by using consumer devices such as the Apple Watch, for use in resource constraints or quarantines.10
(Photo Credits: MacRumours)
The people at highest risk of severe illness and complications from SARS-CoV-2 also include people who have pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, so using remote monitoring to track changes in symptoms or underlying health conditions and intervene on a timely basis as the patient’s condition changes with follow up actions based upon protocols according to disease progression.
Maintaining privacy compliance is also more difficult and important than ever. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets the standard for sensitive patient data. With Telehealth services becoming more popular than ever before, the need for HIPAA compliance is more important than ever.11
The Security Rule is in place to protect the privacy of individuals’ health information, while also allowing covered entities to adopt new technologies that improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) requires physical and technical safeguards for organizations hosting sensitive patient data, including electronic media such as blood oxygen level readings.
With the Apple Watch Series 6 being used not only be the general population but also by healthcare professionals, it is more critical than ever to protect it. Our award-winning Catalyst Waterproof cases for the Apple Watch S6 are the first of its kind. Not only are they washable with soap and water, but they can also be disinfected with EPA-approved disinfectants and are fully compatible with the blood oxygen sensor.
References:
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What is PPE?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment designed to protect the wearer from injury or the spread of infection or illness, e.g. protective clothing, helmets, gloves, face shields, goggles, facemasks and/or respirators.
When used properly, PPE acts as a barrier between infectious materials such as viral and bacterial contaminants and your skin, mouth, nose, or eyes (mucous membranes). The barrier has the potential to block transmission of contaminants from blood, body fluids, or respiratory secretions. When used properly and with other infection control practices such as hand-washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and covering coughs and sneezes, it minimizes the spread of infection from one person to another1.
How does this relate to COVID-19?
The current outbreak of COVID-19 comes from a virus belonging to the family of Coronaviridae (SARS-CoV-2, genus: Betacoronavirus), a large family of enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses2.
Coronaviruses are usually transmitted through large respiratory droplets and direct contact, but other modes of transmission (i.e. airborne and faeco-oral) may also occur3. The average incubation period is estimated at 5 to 6 days, but it can range overall from 0 to 14 days4,5.
SARS-CoV-2 (causing COVID-19 disease) is spread mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks6. Infectious droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Respiratory droplets can land on hands, objects or surfaces around the person when they cough or talk, and people can then become infected with COVID-19 from touching hands, objects or surfaces with droplets and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth7. The virus is spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within 1.5 meters/6 feet); and, may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. These individuals may never exhibit symptoms, or may days after actually contracting the virus8.
For the general public, when you should wear and remove a mask?
Masks offer some protection to you and are also meant to protect those around you, in case you are unknowingly infected with the virus that causes COVID-199.
Ideally, you have been socially distancing and not exposed to individuals with COVID-19 and you’re staying at home most of the time. Masks may not be necessary when you are outside by yourself away from others, or with other people who live in your household. However, you should wear a mask even at your home if you are caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19 (whether at home or in a non-healthcare setting), or if you are sick with COVID-19 or think you may have COVID-19.
Also, it is especially important to wear a mask when you go outside, when you are unable to stay at least 6 feet apart from others since COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Some localities may have mask mandates while out in public and these mandates should always be followed.
In these cases, you should wear a mask, even if you do not feel sick. This is because several studies have found that people with COVID-19 who never develop symptoms (asymptomatic) and those who are not yet showing symptoms (pre-symptomatic) can still spread the virus to other people. The main function of wearing a mask is to protect those around you, in case you are infected but not showing symptoms. Your mask offers some protection to you.
In general, you should wear a mask that fits properly (snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face). How well a mask protects you from breathing in the virus likely depends on the fabrics used and how your mask is made (e.g. the type of material or fabric, the number of layers of fabric, how well the mask fits)9.
If you need to remove your mask after you have finished your trip, errand or work shift or temporarily need to remove your mask to eat, avoid removing your mask near other people and remove your mask facing away from others, thereafter maintain at least 6ft of space between you and others. You can also remove it outside, once you are away from others, or in your car on your way home.
When you're ready to take the mask off, clean your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before touching the mask. Avoid touching the outside of the mask, which may be contaminated or dirty. Only touch the ear loops and hold both of the ear loops to gently lift and remove the mask. If you want to take your mask off in your car, have a paper bag waiting to place the mask in so that you can throw it in the trash later. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer after removing your mask.
For Healthcare workers, what types of PPE should be worn?
In order to manage suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, it’s crucial healthcare professionals and managers working in multidisciplinary areas, are educated in the correct usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This protects not only themselves, but their patients as well.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC) both suggest a minimal PPE set for the management of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID- 19 to mitigate contact, droplet and airborne transmission that includes respiratory protection, eye protection (googles or face shield), body protection and hand protection,10. For respiratory protection, the ECDPC recommends FFP2 or FFP3 respirators while the CDC recommends using a surgical/medical mask or a fitted respirator mask (N95 respirators, FFP2 or equivalent) when performing aerosol generating procedures. For Body protection, the CDC recommends wearing a clean, non-sterile, long-sleeve gown, while the ECDPC recommends along-sleeved water-resistant gown or a single-use plastic apron worn over a non-water-resistant gown7,10.
The agencies and regulators warn that most PPE components come in different sizes, and stress that PPE does not follow a one-size-fits- all principle. A proper PPE fit is essential to obtain protection; a size too large or too small will fail to provide adequate protection10,11.
What order should you use when wearing (donning) PPE?
Putting on and removing PPE is a critical process and requires significant care. Specifically the removal and disposal of contaminated PPE is considered a highly important step in limiting exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
The CDC, ECDPC and WHO suggest the following procedure for safe donning and doffing10,11,12,13.
Before wearing the PPE for managing a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, proper hand hygiene should be performed following international recommendations14. This is a critical aspect in this setting and should be performed using an alcohol-based solution, with at least 70% alcohol10,15.
The first PPE to be donned is the long-sleeved water-resistant gown (when using a gown with back closure, a second person should help by securing the back). Ensure that the choice of gown size is correct (based on training).
After the gown, proceed with the respirator to protect from the inhalation of droplets and particles. The metal nose clip needs to be adjusted to fit the nose using both hands and not be bent or tented, and the top respirator strap should be placed on the crown of the head and the bottom strap on the based of the neck or if using a respirator with an earloop design, ensure the straps fit tightly to have a firm and comfortable fit.
Perform a user seal check each time you put on the respirator. If you cannot achieve a proper fit, position the straps crosswise. If a face mask (surgical mask) is worn as substitution for a respirator, it is still important to correctly position it on the face, and adjust with the metal nose clip to achieve a proper fit. The Respirator/facemask should be extended under chin. Both your mouth and nose should be protected. Do not wear respirator/facemask under your chin or store in scrubs pocket between patients.
Once the respirator has been properly positioned, put on the goggles for eye protection. When wearing a respirator, make sure that the respirator does not interfere with the correct positioning of eye protection and that eye protection does not affect the fit or seal of the respirator. Place the goggles over the mask’s straps and ensure that the textile elastic strap fits snugly – but not too tightly.
After the goggles, the gloves are next. It is important to extend the glove to cover the wrist over the gown’s cuffs. For individuals allergic to latex gloves, an alternative option, for example nitrile gloves, should be available.
Which PPE should you remove first and which should you remove last?
After the patient has been examined, the removal (doffing) of the PPE is a critical because of the possibility it’s now contaminated. This makes it an important step that needs to be carefully carried out to avoid self-contamination.
The gloves are removed first because they have a high likelihood of heavy contamination. Use of alcohol-based hand disinfectant should be considered before removing the gloves. The gloves should be removed following eight steps, according to Fig.1. Always dispose of the gloves in a biohazard bin.
Fig.1 – Removal of contaminated gloves10
Using a gloved hand, grasp the palm area of the other gloved hand and peel off first glove. Hold removed glove in gloved hand. Slide fingers of ungloved hand under remaining glove at wrist and peel off second glove over first glove. If your hands get contaminated during glove removal, immediately wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Discard gloves in a waste container. After the removal of gloves, proper hand washing and sanitizing should be performed, and a new pair of gloves should be worn to further continue the doffing procedure. Using a new pair of gloves will prevent self-contamination.
The gown is removed next with the new pair of clean gloves (Back closure gowns will require help from another person, who needs to wear gloves and a surgical mask. They should be removed after opening the gown). After the gloves of the assistant are removed, hand hygiene should be performed using an alcoholic solution.
Untie all ties or unsnap all buttons on the gown taking care that sleeves don’t contact your body. (Some gown ties can be broken rather than untied.) After the gown has been unbuttoned or untied, remove gently by reaching up to the shoulders and carefully grabbing the back of the gown and pulling it away from the neck and shoulders, touching inside of gown only and keeping the contaminated front part inside the gown rolled inside out. Fold or Roll into a bundle. Single-use gowns should be disposed of immediately. Reusable gowns have to be placed in a bag or container for disinfection. If your hands get contaminated during gown removal, immediately
wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
After the gown, the goggles or face shield should be carefully removed by handling the earpieces or headband without touching the front of the googles or face shield be disposed if they are single-use, or placed in a bag or container for disinfection if they’re reusable. Touching the front part of the googles or face shield should be avoided, due to possible contamination. If your hands get contaminated during goggle or face shield removal, immediately wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If the item is reusable, place in designated receptacle for reprocessing. Otherwise, discard in a waste container.
The respirator should be removed next by placing a finger or thumb under the straps in the back and removing from the face. Remove the bottom strap by touching only the strap and bring it carefully over the head. Grasp the top strap and bring it carefully over the head, and then pull the respirator away from the face without touching the front of the respirator. The respirator (or the surgical mask) should be disposed of after removal. It is important to avoid touching the front of the respirator with the gloves (except for the elastic straps) during its removal.
The last PPE item to remove are the gloves, which should be rubbed in an alcohol-based solution before removal (procedure described above in Fig.1). After glove removal, hand hygiene should be performed.
References:
1 FDA. (ed U.S. Food and Drug Administration) (FDA, https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/general-hospital-devices-and-supplies/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control, 2020).
2 Huang, R., Xia, J., Chen, Y., Shan, C. & Wu, C. A family cluster of SARS-CoV-2 infection involving 11 patients in Nanjing, China. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30147-X (2020).
3 Kang, S. et al. Recent Progress in understanding 2019 Novel Coronavirus associated with Human Respiratory Disease: Detection, Mechanism and Treatment. Int J Antimicrob Agents, 105950-105950, doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105950 (2020).
4 WHO. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report – 73. (World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200402-sitrep-73-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=5ae25bc7_2, 2020).
5 Yu, P., Zhu, J., Zhang, Z., Han, Y. & Huang, L. A familial cluster of infection associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus indicating potential person-to-person transmission during the incubation period. J Infect Dis, jiaa077, doi:10.1093/infdis/jiaa077 (2020).
6 Alwan, N. A. et al. Scientific consensus on the COVID-19 pandemic: we need to act now. The Lancet 396, e71-e72, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32153-X (2020).
7 CDC. (ed USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/non-us-settings/overview/index.html#PPE, 2020).
8 The Lancet Respiratory, M. COVID-19 transmission: up in the air. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30514-2.
9 CDC. (ed USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html#anchor_1604967124156, 2020).10 ECDPC. Vol. Stockholm (ed European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) (ECDPC, https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/COVID-19-guidance-wearing-and-removing-personal-protective-equipment-healthcare-settings-updated.pdf, 2020).
11 WHO. COVID-19: How to put on and remove personal protective equipment (PPE), 2020).
12 CDC. (ed USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/using-ppe.html, 2020).
13 CDC. (ed USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppe-sequence.pdf, 2020).
14 WHO. (ed World Health Organization) (https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44102/9789241597906_eng.pdf;jsessionid=3D5B6AF129FA5FA0F98F7D80DF80EC2D?sequence=1, 2009).
15 CDC. (ed USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html, 2020).
]]>Meet June Lai, the CEO, and scientist behind the high-performance and award-winning manufacturer of protective and stylish smartphone and smart tablet cases, Catalyst.
Consumer technology is no doubt changing, as the race towards mass adoption of artificial intelligence (A.I.), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain technologies continues. But the stories that still go unnoticed are those narratives of how these technologies have come to be.
Every year, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) puts on the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, attracting tens of thousands of consumers from all parts of the world. It’s products galore for the everyday tech enthusiast.
But for CEOs, C-Suite executives, and other badass entrepreneurs, it is a very different experience. In recent years, we have seen an increase of women in technology, which in my opinion, should have been highlighted and emphasized way more than it has been–a story for another time.
Read the rest of the article here
]]>2020 has not been an easy year for anyone in business. We have all have had to adapt and adjust in these challenging times. At Catalyst, we have always put the customer at the centre of our business. Over the last decade, we have become synonymous with reliable protection, innovative design and premium quality products, leading to us being at the top of the Consumer Electronics industry.
Catalyst PPE to Alleviate Shortage
More than ever, it was important for our business to shift and fulfill a worldwide need: to create Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The industry continues to search for solutions for reliable and consistent sources for PPE, and our unique experience in product engineering makes us a qualified partner. According to the FDA, there is not enough PPE to meet the needs of the US Healthcare system. Solutions to this shortage need to be presented, and Catalyst has stepped up to the plate.
Catalyst has entered this new category of PPE because we are uniquely positioned to not only fill a short-term gap, but design and manufacture a full, high-quality line for the healthcare industry and business sector.
June Lai - Driving Success
It goes without saying that this success could not have been possible without co-founder and CEO of Catalyst, June Lai. She started her career in biotech and is a scientist. After getting her MBA (and several other advanced degrees) she has consistently performed business analysis and has positioned our complex business for continuous growth.
June has many accolades under her belt, and we are proud to announce that 2020 has been no different: she has been globally recognized as one of the leading Women in Business by winning not one, but two Stevie Awards for Women in Business.
She won the Gold Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Consumer Product business from 11 to 2,500 employees. She also won the Bronze Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Asia, Australia or New Zealand.
What are the Stevie Awards for Women in Business?
It is the world’s premier business awards for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run. More than 1,500 entries were submitted this year for consideration across all the Stevie Awards Categories. Judging was conducted by more than 200 members of seven judging committees through September. Jurors’ average scores determined the Gold, Silver and Bronze placements*.
Some snippets below of what the judging panel had to say about June and her success.
“June is no doubt an intelligent, savvy businesswoman. Her ideas to shift from smart phone cases to PPE equipment during the pandemic enabled her company to remain relevant, viable and saved the jobs of her employees
“June has built an impressive company over 10 years and securing a number of high-profile strategic partnerships…She has done well pivoting during the pandemic and keeping her company whole and taking care of all of her employees.”
When speaking to CEO World this month June echoes the success of #WomenInTech seeing that women are increasingly in tech nowadays and she loves seeing how it flourishes year on year. She loves how this has helped empower women to enter this market and excel.
However, she emphasizes that it takes every employee of Catalyst moving forward to maintain the reputation we’ve built for quality, innovation and brand integrity.
Utilizing our diverse, talented, and nimble team helped shift our contribution in a way that helps fill the critical need for PPE. Our team and resources help educate consumers on best practices for protection, how current products can aid in proper hygiene for electronic devices and this has led to us launching 12 new medical and industrial PPE products to help protect healthcare workers and the public.
We are excited and empowered to see June win these highly coveted awards and can’t wait to see what 2021 brings not only for her but for Catalyst.
Source:
https://stevieawards.com/women/2020-judging-committees
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Many of us have an elderly parent, grandparent, relative or friend that we want to protect from the threats of COVID-19 but are often unsure how best to do so. We at Catalyst want to provide you with advice that can help you support your elderly loved one in these difficult times, whether they live with you, away from you or indeed in a care facility.
Why are the elderly more at risk?
The CDC estimates the death rate for adults aged between 65 and 84 in the US can be as high as 11% and that figure increases to 27% for those aged 85 or older. This is in stark contrast to the reported death rate of 0% for children aged 9 or below and a mere 0.4% for those aged below 60. But why is this the case?
Those with underlying conditions are at greater risk of having severe Covid-19 cases. A study in Italy found that as many as 99% of those who died from COVID-19 were previously carrying at least one underlying condition prior to contracting the virus. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia and indeed cancer are more prevalent among older demographics. This is the key contributing factor to the higher fatality rate for those aged 60 plus.
The above graph shows how older generations are more at risk. They are the ones who need support and protection. So here are some ways you can help protect older adults from the risks of coronavirus in various scenarios.
1. Understand how it’s transmitted:
According to the CDC, coronavirus is thought to spread for the most part from person to person. This is most frequently observed in instances when people are in close quarters, less than 6 feet apart. Microscopic respiratory droplets can be dispersed when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can arrive on a person’s face, mouth or indeed be inhaled into the lungs. They can also land on surfaces which can then be touched by hand and transferred to the face and mouth.
While people are thought to be most contagious when they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it has been reported that the virus can spread without symptoms appearing. This means that it is possible for anyone to spread the virus without even displaying any symptoms or knowing that they have it.
2. Know what symptoms to look out for
The COVID-19 virus affects people in different ways. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and according to the World Health Organization, its most common symptoms include coughing, fatigue, fever as well as aches and pains, sore throat and shortness of breath. If any of these symptoms appear in any of your family members, make sure they self-isolate to limit the spread of the virus.
Although it has yet to be proven, many of those who contracted COVID-19 have reported a loss of smell and taste. It is important to be aware that as many as one in four cases of COVID-19 could be asymptomatic. This means that you can contract the virus from someone who hasn't experienced any of the symptoms described above.
3. Social distancing and isolation
Consider segregating your house or apartment so that your elderly family member can remain isolated. This is especially important if you have children in the house. While the risk of coronavirus to children may be minimal, they can just as easily carry and spread the virus without displaying any symptoms. To limit the spread of germs within the home, avoid sharing household items such as cups, utensils, bedding etc.
4. Use necessary PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
There has been much debate on the merits of face masks. However, the CDC, as well as the WHO and a number of governments, have recently changed their stance to advise all people to wear face masks when in pubic and where social distancing is difficult to maintain. Ensure your elderly relative wears a mask should they need to go out in public.
5. Prevent contamination from outside sources
The CDC has advised on avoiding any non-essential visits into your home. For essential visits, ensure the necessary PPE such as a face mask is being worn. For anything you purchase, borrow or pick up from outside the home, these items should be cleaned or disinfected. There are a number of techniques to apply to various food types. Some need to be washed, some disinfected and others just unwrapped. Watch this video for some great tips on cleaning and disinfecting your groceries.
6. Seek professional medical advice
If you or your family member experience any symptoms, contact your doctor or medical center to seek advice on testing and referrals. Avoid rushing to the hospital as many of these facilities may be experiencing unusually high volumes of patients and this may increase the risk of contracting the virus or indeed passing it on. Always call ahead and seek advice on the best means of engaging your medical practitioners.
Within the Catalyst team, many of us have elderly love ones who are living alone, both nearby or in many cases, in another city altogether. It is natural to feel distant and helpless in these situations. However, there are a number of measures you can take to provide support in these circumstances.
1. Maintain regular contact
Schedule regular check ins with your elderly loved one. Provide the emotional support that we all need to stay positive in these difficult circumstances. Provide the practical information needed to apply the necessary measures limit the chances of contracting the virus. Ensure they have the necessary food, medication and supplies. In many cases, IT support may be needed to ensure they remain online and able to make use of the necessary online resources.
If living far away, provide a telephone number for a coronavirus hotline that they can call should any symptoms arise. Some cases of COVID-19 have reported a very steep deterioration so it’s important to establish contact by phone or text quite regularly.
Using an Apple Watch will help your loved ones stay in touch, especially for those who are not used to communicating with mobile devices. The watch will of course stay on their person to notify them should anyone try to contact them. Furthermore it can provide a quick and easy means of contacting emergency services and communicating their location. This can be triggered automatically should they fall or have an accident.
2. Avoid unnecessary visits
Although it may seem natural to be present to provide support, resist the temptation to visit and provide company to these relatives. It may only increase their chance of contracting the virus. Ensure they are aware of the risks and recommendations around unnecessary visits. As you won't be around to police this, encourage them to be disciplined and vigilant.
If they have in-home care attendants working with them, ensure they are up to speed with the best preventative measures and are utilizing the necessary PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
3. Leveraging online resources to minimize outside activities
We suggest listing out all of the regular activities that they leave the house to do. Help them to identify which of these tasks can be carried out online. Help them organize online accounts and activities they can carry out from home. Here are some examples of resources that you can introduce.
Online grocery shopping - If you are in the US, you can use an app like Shipt to bring you essentials with same day delivery. If you are outside the US, Amazon Fresh may be available and if not, you may be able to order directly from grocery stores such as Waitrose in the UK.
Telemedicine - In your area, there may be services available whereby you can receive medical checkups, referrals or diagnosis from medical professionals online. This won't involve leaving the house to risk unnecessary exposure to the virus. Ask your local medical professional for recommendations.
Online banking - If your relative is not set up with online banking, help them do this and ensure they are able to carry out all regular banking tasks unassisted. They may be more comfortable with phone banking or even postal services which are also commonly available.
4. Stocking up on essentials
If supplying groceries or supplies, leaving these things on the doorstep and walking away is perhaps the kindest thing you can do. You may consider stocking up on essential medication as global supply chains have become far less predictable. This may require a longer subscription period from their physician to buy medication in bulk. If you manage to buy a larger quantity, make sure to store surplus medication in the refrigerator or a dark place with low humidity and low temperature. A good stock of vitamins, and minerals will help maintain a strong immune system. Vitamin D, it has been suggested, can directly benefit respiratory tract infections and help maintain a strong immune system that can resist coronavirus.
If your elderly relative is in residence in a care facility or nursing home, you must first evaluate if their current residence is prepared to handle coronavirus. Here are some questions that you can ask their care facility to ensure standards are being met.
Put a contingency plan in place
In the instance in which you are not satisfied with these responses, you will need to have a contingency plan in place. This contingency will really depend on your circumstance and what other viable options are available to you. You may consider moving to another care facility that is better prepared for dealing with these unique circumstances. However, this may of course not be a desirable option considering availability and the increased likelihood of exposure to the virus during the move.
You may consider inviting them to move into your home but again, you must evaluate your own circumstances and ability to provide a safe environment. It is also important to consider if you have children in your home. As we have mentioned already, they can easily be asymptomatic carriers. In many cases remaining in a nursing home may limit their exposure to coronavirus carriers. Again, refrain from unnecessary visits or contact. If you do have to visit them, maintain distance and avoid hugs or kisses.
Consider getting flu shots
While a flu-shot will not prevent you from contracting coronavirus, it will prevent you developing a flu that will add unwanted complications to the situation. If you develop flu symptoms, you may need to seek medical attention and even testing. These symptoms will also confuse any diagnosis you receive from a doctor and put unnecessary stress on the health system.
For all 3 scenarios, apply general/personal hygiene:
It is important that you inform and encourage your elderly loved ones to follow the recommended hygiene procedures as much as possible. It is especially important for anyone coming into contact with an elderly relative to be as vigilant as possible with personal and/or home hygiene. Here are some of the basic hygiene tips from the CDC.
1. Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing
Use a tissue where possible and if none is available, sneeze into your elbow instead of your hand. Throw used tissues in the trash and wash your hands immediately.
2. Wash your hands
This is an obvious one but it’s critical to clean your hands thoroughly and regularly. It’s recommended that you scrub your hands for 20 seconds using either a bar or liquid soap under running water, hot or cold. If you do not have access to soap then hand sanitizer with no less than 60% alcohol.
3. Avoid touching your face
As we have seen, coronavirus can most likely spread from a cough or sneeze by a symptomatic carrier and rest on top of a range of surfaces. So avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily. Use a tissue or gloves when opening public door handles, pushing elevator buttons or while holding handrails. And at the same time, avoid touching your face unnecessarily. A study by the US National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2015 found that people will touch their face, unknowingly, upwards of 23 times per hour. So you can see how easily germs can be passed from a contaminated surface to your face.
4. Clean and disinfect
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly. The CDC in fact, recommends cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily. If your elderly relative is receiving care either in a care facility or in their home, it could be worthwhile helping to disinfect surfaces regularly, while maintaining distance where possible. These surfaces include door and window handles, kitchen and food preparation areas, counter tops, bathroom surfaces, toilets and taps, touchscreen personal devices, personal computer keyboards, and work surfaces.
5. Consider hygiene of personal devices
One of the most regularly touched surfaces that many people do not consider is your cell phone or other personal device such as an iPad or watch. Studies have shown that we touch our phones upwards of 2,600 times per day and if left unwashed, they can harbor 17,000 germs each. So if you are washing your hands but still regularly touching your phone then you are keeping these germs in circulation. The CDC in fact, recommends cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, like your phone or device daily. So if you’d like to improve the personal hygiene of any of your family members, including your elderly relatives, then encourage them to clean and disinfect their phone regularly.
As part of our phone hygiene solution, we recommend using a waterproof Catalyst case to clean and disinfect your phone or device entirely. Unlike other phone hygiene solutions, this will allow you to fully submerge your phone or device, either under a running tap or submerged under water entirely. You can then disinfect your device using an alcohol solution that contains at least 70% alcohol, such as 70% ethanol or 70% isopropyl alcohol. our phone and device hygiene solutions is in line with the CDC recommendation to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly. Your case will protect the ports and openings of your phone from moisture getting in and all surfaces of your Catalyst case can accommodate 70% alcohol disinfectant without issue.
Our elderly loved ones are at risk from coronavirus and we at Catalyst want to support them in any way we can. Protecting them will require vigilance, patience and cooperation from everyone to ensure we can weather this storm and come out the other side, sooner rather than later.
]]>Normally we talk about how our cases can protect your devices, but today we are going to tell you about how our waterproof cases can protect you.
It is safe to say that we are all thinking about our hygiene in a different way. It is each of our responsibility to maintain a meticulous level of personal cleanliness, especially when it comes to our hands and face. What many people may not know is that phone hygiene is a critical factor in maintaining clean hands and keeping germs at bay. So we’re here to fill you in on how some simple measures can make a huge difference in the fight against germs and bacteria.
It may be shocking to hear but our personal cell phones - the devices we use more than any other and so often pressed up against our faces - are one of the biggest carriers of germs and bacteria. Studies have shown that the average cell phone can contain up to 17,000 germs on its surface. That’s 10 times more than most toilet seats! If that doesn’t alarm you then consider that many of us touch our phones more than 2,600 times per day. Yeah, we know, that’s a hell of a lot of touches. So even if you’re washing your hands continuously, an unwashed phone will just keep all those germs in circulation.
But don’t worry too much, we have the ideal solution!
Many of the recommendations around phone hygiene involve very precise instructions that require special equipment and careful application to avoid any damage to your device. But what if we told you that you could clean your phone as easily as you clean your hands. In fact, with this solution, you could clean both your hands and your phone at the same time.
Catalyst Case Hygiene Solution
Apply a Catalyst waterproof case to your phone or device and you’ll be able to wash your phone with water and soap just as easily as you wash your hands. Just follow these simple steps
How to clean your phone with a waterproof case
If you have a waterproof Catalyst case then it’s practically effortless to add this quick trick into your routine without any unnecessary effort. You don’t need to worry about having the necessary cloth or cleaning products. There’s no need to stress about getting moisture into the seams or openings and there is no risk of cleaning solutions doing any damage to the surface of your phone.
Our waterproof cases are designed to withstand depths of up to 33 feet. If the case is properly secured, there’s no risk of water getting onto the device. And there’s no better waterproof case design in the market and we have the award to prove it. The Catalyst Waterproof Case for iPhone 11 just won a Red Dot Award for ‘Product Design 2020’.
And that's not all, you can use Catalyst's waterproof cases to ensure your iPad, Apple Watch or AirPods keep clean and free from bacteria. So check out our full range of waterproof cases today. You’ll be doing your part to help stem the spread of coronavirus.
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