Hydrogen peroxide-based vapour, utilised by the Phileas® systems, has been proven to neutralise coronaviruses from contaminated areas. Such conclusions could be vital to the containment of CoViD-19 in the coming weeks and months.
Mass coronavirus cases in the UK are ‘just a matter of time’, according to England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty. It is well known that coronaviruses cause serious respiratory tract infections in humans. Strains such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and the newly discovered CoViD-19 have caused thousands of human deaths.
Prior to the outbreak of coronavirus CoViD-19 in December 2019, rigorous testing and studies had been undertaken globally to better understand the SARS and MERS viral strains specifically. DEVEA Environnement, manufacturers of the Phileas® range of airborne decontamination systems, have been at the forefront of this research.
Respiratory viruses such as these linger to surfaces, which is a primary reason why they can spread so easily within such a short timeframe. This makes validated bio decontamination services essential in combating contagion outbreaks.
Alongside the successful employment of the Phileas® system against coronavirus MERS, a comprehensive report carried out in 2014 outlined the effectiveness of this equipment against viral strains akin to coronavirus CoViD-19. The specific equipment tested was the Phileas® 75 system, designed to have an effective decontamination volume of 150 cubic metres.
A range of bactericidal, fungicidal, yeasticidal and virucidal activity was tested against the machine, with all tests deemed compliant in their results. Crucially, testing parameters were designed to determine ‘disinfectant activity’ according to ‘conditions standard in dirty condition for food and industrial areas’. Such areas are conducive to the rapid spread of bacteria and viruses due to the climate and increased surface contamination.
The virucidal activity was tested against two viruses: murine type 1 norovirus and enteric cytopathic bovine orphan virus. The report concluded that following a total contact time of two hours, the decontamination process of the Phileas® 75 induced ‘a logarithmic reduction of greater than 4’ against both viral strains. These results highlight that hydrogen peroxide-based vapour solutions have the proven capability to eradicate the threat of viruses and other surface contaminants.
Given that many of these viruses, including coronavirus CoViD-19, have an extremely low infective dose, areas such as schools, colleges and shared workplaces of any kind are at greater risk of rapid contamination should the virus continue to spread.
As UK agents for Phileas® technology, Tecomak can provide validated bio decontamination services should your premises require it. Through supplying the entire Phileas® range, Tecomak offers bespoke biological decontamination services on a site-by-site basis.
Should you require our services based on the information detailed above or wish to discuss any concerns you may have surrounding coronavirus and the safety of your workplace, please contact 01732 852250.
