Coronavirus
Technology Solutions
February 26, 2021
RGF System
Neutralizes
COVID-19
Hach and
LuminUltra
Partner to
Deliver First
Rapid Test for
SARS-CoV-2 in
Wastewater
Efficient Masks
Can be 90%
Effective
AAFA Asking
President to
Extend Face Mask
Tariff Exclusion
ASTM vs Community Masks
____________________________________________________________________________
RGF System
Neutralizes
COVID-19
RGF® Environmental
Group, Inc., has
released the
results of an
independent,
third-party test
that indicates
the
PHI-PKG14
PHI-CELL®
product with
Photohydroionization®
technology inactivates
greater than
99.9% of the
SARS-CoV-2 virus
in the air and
on inoculated
surfaces.
SARS-CoV-2,
commonly known
as coronavirus,
is the virus
that causes
COVID-19. Given
the CDC's
determination
that SARS-CoV-2
is an airborne
virus, meaning
it spreads from
person-to-person
via aerosols and
respiratory
particles, the
test results are
important for
building owners
and operators
seeking a proven
solution to
combat
SARS-CoV-2 in
the air and on
surfaces inside
the occupied or
air-conditioned
space.
"SARS-CoV-2
virus particles
or aerosols are
produced when an
infected person
coughs, sneezes
or talks.
Large virus
particles fall
out of the air
and onto
surfaces,
resulting in
surface
contamination,
however small
virus particles
can stay
airborne for
hours," noted
Dr. James
Marsden,
Executive
Director of
Science &
Technology at
RGF®
Environmental
Group. "Similar
to RGF's REME
HALO®,
the PHI-PKG14
PHI-CELL®
neutralizes
greater than
99.9% of the
SARS-CoV-2 virus
in the air and
on contaminated
surfaces."
Testing
was performed at
the Innovative
Bioanalysis
Laboratories in
Cypress,
California. RGF's
test procedure
used the
SARS-CoV-2 virus
inside a large
chamber (1,280
cu. ft.)
representing a
real-world
air-conditioned
office or home.
The virus was
nebulized into
the space
simulating a
sneeze or cough
from an infected
person. With the
PHI-PKG14
PHI-CELL®
operating inside
the chamber, the
virus was
reduced on
contact,
resulting in a
greater than
99.9% reduction
of the virus
within the
simulated
real-world space
at 36", 72" and
84" distance
from the cell.
Testing of
the PHI-PKG14
PHI-CELL®
active air
purification
system indicated
that the
SARS-CoV-2 virus
is significantly
neutralized
within the
occupied space,
and
significantly
reduced risk of
person-to-person
infection by
respiratory
particles and
aerosols. The
PHI-PKG14
PHI-CELL®
eliminated the
need for virus
particles to
travel through
the HVAC system
filters or UV
air purification
system.
The
magnetic-mount
Package PHI Unit
– Air
Purification
System leverages
PHI-CELL®
technology to
actively treat
the air inside
conditioned
spaces. This
product is
specifically
designed for
package HVAC
systems. Because
of its versatile
magnetic mount
installation,
the Package PHI
Unit can be used
in a wide
variety of
applications.
Adjustable
magnetic feet
attach without
fasteners to the
blower unit,
simplifying
installation.
The Package PHI
Unit is
effective where
ductwork is
difficult to
access or where
modification to
existing or HVAC
systems is not
an option. These
units can also
be used in
conjunction with
RGF's new PKG
Rack™ system
enabling
installation for
up to eight
package units in
one application.
Hach and
LuminUltra
Partner to
Deliver First
Rapid Test for
SARS-CoV-2 in
Wastewater
Hach and
LuminUltra ,
have partnered
to offer the
world's first
rapid, on-site
testing solution
for the
detection of
SARS-CoV-2 in
wastewater. The
partnership is a
direct response
to consumer and
community need
for same-day
test results and
accessible,
cost-efficient
solutions.
"Hach's mission
is to ensure
water quality
for people
around the
world. When the
pandemic hit,
Hach immediately
looked to see if
there was a way
that we could
help fight the
spread.
Wastewater-based
epidemiology
(WBE) was the
logical area for
us to
contribute,"
says James
Harbridge,
Business
Development
Manager for Hach.
"This
partnership with
LuminUltra
enabled us to
quickly bring a
product to
market with the
potential to
help slow virus
spread. We are
excited to see
how communities,
businesses and
schools use this
solution to make
a positive
impact on public
health."
Since early
2020, we have
learned a lot
about COVID-19
and the
SARS-CoV-2 virus
that causes it.
But asymptomatic
transmission
plus gaps in
testing and
contact tracing
have made it
difficult to
pinpoint the
virus and take
appropriate
protective
action against
outbreaks.
Streamlined
sampling and
testing
protocols make
SARS-CoV-2
wastewater
testing one of
the
least-invasive
early warning
systems
available for
continued
pandemic
management.
The Hach®
complete
SARS-CoV-2
monitoring
offering
includes our
line of
composite
samplers plus a
SARS-CoV-2
onsite testing
method by
LuminUltra. The
onsite method is
based on a
simple and quick
extraction
coupled with an
easy-to-use
laboratory qPCR
(quantitative
polymerase chain
reaction)
analyzer, which
produces results
within a couple
of hours.
"We're proud of
our
long-standing
partnership with
Hach and our
history of
distributing
fast and simple
solutions to
microbiological
problems,"
says Pat Whalen,
CEO of
LuminUltra. "In
the face of this
global pandemic,
regular
wastewater
monitoring gives
us a view into
the bigger
picture of the
health of our
communities.
This
non-invasive
testing method
is a
game-changer for
effectively
managing the
pandemic and
this partnership
between our two
organizations
makes this
surveillance
tool more
accessible to
communities
everywhere."
Emerging public
health research
confirms the
ability to
detect
SARS-CoV-2
almost a week
before physical
symptoms of
COVID-19 through
non-invasive
wastewater
surveillance
system
monitoring. This
testing solution
from Hach and
LuminUltra is
working for
community
partners.
"Testing for
COVID in the
wastewater
directly onsite
has opened up
the
opportunities
for our Health
and Human
Service
Department to
make timely
decisions that
could
immediately
benefit our
community,"
says Dawn Cowell,
Wastewater
Laboratory
Supervisor for
the City and
County
of Broomfield,
Colorado. "This
test has also
opened our eyes
to the various
wastewater
testing
capabilities
that we didn't
even know
existed
pre-COVID."
Efficient Masks
Can be 90%
Effective
Monica Gandhi,
and Linsey C.
Marr who we have
been quoting in
the Alerts and
who have
previously
provided us with
information have
a new mask
analysis.
They say that
for maximal
protection
members of the
public can
either (1) wear
a cloth mask
tightly on top
of a surgical
mask where the
surgical mask
acts as a filter
and the cloth
mask provides an
additional layer
of filtration
while improving
the fit; or (2)
wear a three
layer mask with
outer layers
consisting of a
flexible,
tightly woven
fabric that can
conform well to
the face and a
middle layer
consisting of a
nonwoven
high-efficiency
filter material
(e.g., vacuum
bag material).
If the masks fit
well, these
combinations
should produce
an overall
efficiency of
>90% for
particles 1 mm
and larger,
which
corresponds to
the size of
respiratory
aerosols that we
think are most
important in
mediating
transmission
AAFA Asking
President to
Extend Face Mask
Tariff Exclusion
Many PPE
products were
granted
exclusions from
additional
duties under the
Section 301
investigations
on products from
China. At the
end of 2020,
USTR issued a
notice on the
“determination
to extend
certain product
exclusions and
to make further
modifications to
remove Section
301 duties from
additional
medical-care
products to
address
COVID-19.”
Several PPE
products,
including face
masks, were
granted an
extension until
March 31, 2021.
That date is
quickly
approaching. We
are not aware of
any scientific
or medical
guidance
suggesting the
COVID-19
pandemic will
have ended on
that date. The
relief for PPE
needed to fight
that pandemic
should not end
on that date
either.
Meanwhile, many
key PPE products
were not
included in the
USTR notice.
Therefore, we
request the
elimination of
both punitive
and normal
tariffs on
surgical and
isolation gowns
and medical
scrubs as well
as the materials
used to make
them to ensure
that life-saving
PPE quickly gets
into the hands
of the patients
and medical
professionals
who desperately
need these
items, as well
as to the
general public
to stop the
spread of
COVID-19.
We understand
there are
important policy
debates about
whether such
items should
even face
tariffs and how
much of these
PPE supply
chains should be
repatriated.
Those are
important
questions that
need to be
resolved in a
fair and
equitable
manner, and we
look forward to
participating in
those
discussions.
Until then, and
while our supply
chains are still
configured to
require these
imported items
and inputs, we
need a PPE
tariff policy
that does not
harm our
immediate
medical and
health needs.
Lastly, we
request that
USTR reinstate
the Section 301
product
exclusion
process –
including a
retroactive
extension for
product
exclusions that
expired during
2020 – to
provide economic
relief and
predictability
for American
businesses,
workers, and
families. In all
these cases, the
facts that
supported their
initial
exclusion is
still intact.
The only
difference is
that the
companies
importing these
items are now
facing
additional
strains due to
COVID-19.
Although these
items do not
directly support
COVID-19 medical
needs, the
economic relief
that removing
these punitive
tariffs will
have for these
companies is
undeniable.
https://www.aafaglobal.org/AAFA/AAFA_News/2021_Letters_and_Comments/AAFA_Sends_Letter_Calling_on_President_Biden_to_Prevent_Price_Increase_on_Face_Masks_and_Other_PPE.aspx
ASTM vs
Community Masks
A number of
masks meet the
European
community
mask standards
which are based
on two
levels-both of
which are 3
micron particles
as opposed to
ASTM
which is
based on 0.3
micron
particles.
In order
to be salable in
the U.S. in the
future they will
also have to be
tested to
determine their
ability to meet
either Level 1
or Level 2 of
ASTM.
Two levels of
community face
coverings are
considered
according to
their filtration
efficiency to
particles around
3 (± 0.5) µm: —
level 90%:
greater than or
equal to 90%, —
level 70%:
greater than or
equal to 70%. In
some countries,
national
regulations
could apply to
define the
different level
of filtration
efficiency when
tested with
particles
different than 3
(± 0.5) µm. The
filtration
efficiency
requirements
apply to both
new materials
and to materials
that have been
through the
number of
cleaning cycles
for which the
producer states
that the
community face
covering remains
compliant.
Testing shall be
carried out in
accordance with
6.4. The
national
regulations
apply to
indicate what
level of
filtration
efficiency is
suitable for the
given use of the
community face
covering
https://www.cencenelec.eu/research/CWA/Documents/CWA17553_2020.pdf
Here are masks
which meet the
standards.
Neon face mask is
dedicated to
athletes and for
those who want
to keep physical
activity. As an
accessory, it
will not only be
a stylish
addition to
clothes but also
provides
protection
against dust and
dirt. For
safety, every
time you go
outside, take a
face mask with
you.
The mask meets
the CEN European
standards CWA
17553: 2020. Our
product belongs
to the first
category of
masks. This
means that its filtration
is greater than
or equal to 94%.
It is not
permeable to
microns greater
than or equal to
3 microns.
NHS – Healthcare
– United Kingdom
- Purpose: to equip National Health Service (NHS) medical staff in contact with the general public on a daily basis
- Specification: 1C silkscreen print on custom PMS specified fabric
- Order quantity: 110K in total (5 orders of 50K, 15K, 20K, and 10K)
IKEA – Retail –
United Kingdom
- Purpose: used daily in IKEA stories and warehouses as a safety measure to protect employees and customers
- Specification: Stock grey with no print required
- Order quantity: 38K
Iceland – Food
Retail – United
Kingdom
- Purpose: used to protect customers and staff in the retail environments
- Specification: 1C silkscreen on stock grey fabric
- Order quantity: 70K
Virgin Media –
Telecommunications
– United Kingdom
- Purpose: used to protect customers and staff in the retail environments
- Specification: Full cover 1C silk screen print on custom PMS fabric in two designs
- Order quantity: 75K pcs
TTI Success
Insights –
Training –
Global
- Purpose: given to internal clients and staff during workshops. The mask came in five different colored designs, each color corresponding to a color from the TTI personality test
- Specification: 1C silkscreen on custom PMS fabric in 5 colors
- Order quantity: 10K pcs
Face masks are
all manufactured
to meet the CEN
CWA 17553:2020,
AFNOR and
OEKO-TEX
standards
ensuring a high
degree of
particle
filtration and
protection. Dupont
Silvadur coating
provides
anti-microbial
protection for
up to 50 washes.
Sparkasse –
Banking –
Germany
- Purpose: used by the employees in the bank service centers, and offered to clients visiting the centres
- Specification: 1C silkscreen on stock grey fabric
- Order quantity: 11k pcs
Warwickshire
Fire & Rescue
(Warwickshire
County Council)
– Government –
United Kingdom
- Purpose: used by Fire & Rescue teams for extra protection while interacting with the community
- Specification: 2C silkscreen on stock grey fabric
- Order quantity: 1K pcs
The University
of Law –
Education –
United Kingdom
- Purpose: given to staff and students allowing the university to resume classes safely
- Specification: 2C full cover silkscreen print on custom PMS fabric in 2 designs
- Order quantity: 11K pcs
Travis Perkins –
Logistics –
United Kingdom
- Purpose: implemented as part of Travis Perkins’s social distancing guidelines, protecting employees in the branch and on the road
- Specification: 1C silkscreen print on custom PMS fabric
- Order quantity: 40Kpcs
SGN – Gas &
Energy – United
Kingdom
- Purpose: to equip and protect staff and the network of approved contractors across Scotland and southern England.
- Specification: 1C silkscreen print on custom PMS fabric
- Order quantity: 20K pcs
Israeli
Basketball
Association –
Sports – Israel
- Purpose: to protect the Israeli Basketball Association staff while in the office, at staff meetings, practices, coaching and games, etc
- Specification: 2C silkscreen print on stock grey fabric
- Order quantity: 1,400 pcs
