Cannabis consumption has surged in recent years due to its medical and recreational legalization in many regions. However, with the increased production and distribution of cannabis products, there has been a growing concern about the potential for contamination.
Contaminated cannabis products can pose severe health risks to consumers, leading to adverse effects such as respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. Addressing this issue requires innovative solutions, and one promising approach is the utilization of residual antimicrobial products on cannabis packaging.
The Problem of Contaminated Cannabis Products
Cannabis, like any agricultural product, is susceptible to contamination during various stages of cultivation, processing, and distribution. Contaminants can include bacteria, fungi, molds, heavy metals, and even chemical residues from pesticides or fertilizers.
According to a New York Times article from December, “lab tests conducted on smokable weed, edible candies and vaporizers purchased from 20 smoke shops and dispensaries detected prohibited levels of eight different contaminants, including E. coli, salmonella, nickel and lead.”
Another article published in Marijuana Moment stated, “Leung’s team noted a total of 679 contaminants regulated by at least one of the 36 states with legal cannabis: 551 pesticides, 74 solvents, 12 inorganic compounds, 21 microbes, 5 fungal toxins and 16 other contaminants. Yet only 23 of those states regulated all four categories of contaminants: pesticides, inorganics, solvents, and microbes/mycotoxins and noted the action level for each contaminant.”
Contamination is not limited to the environment that these products are grown in but can occur at multiple points like transportation, storage, and post-packaging. According to a study on the microbial spoilage of vegetables, fruits, and cereals found, “the packaging conditions and material influence the microbiological quality of processed produce.” Using a controlled or modified atmosphere for packaging conditions is a commonplace practice in most commercial settings. “Advances in the type of packaging material, and other strategies such as those that ensure the removal of void-space (space not occupied by food particles) have helped to override this disadvantage to a certain extent to extend the shelf life of food products (Jacxsens et al., 2001).”
The void-space within a package creates the perfect environment and breeding ground for dormant pathogens to come alive and cause contamination. Current strategies use gassing procedures to create a modified atmosphere packaging solution, but even with these current processes, contamination still poses a threat.
Having poor packaging solutions can jeopardize public health, and contaminated cannabis products can damage the industry’s reputation and lead to legal and financial consequences for producers and distributors. We know from previous articles about how Biotrexx 247 works for agricultural environments and products as a substitute for pesticides, but an often-overlooked use case for this incredible solution is as a pre-treatment and coating on packaging products before cannabis is introduced.
Mode of Action of Biotrexx 247
The effectiveness of Biotrexx 247 in inhibiting microbial growth lies in its unique mode of action, which is an electrochemical mode of action. The active ingredient in Biotrexx 247 antimicrobial forms a colorless, odorless, positively charged polymer, which chemically bonds to the treated surface. Think of it as a layer of electrically charged swords that stays on the interior lining of a package for days to weeks at a time.
How Biotrexx 247 Kills Microbes
When microorganisms encounter the treated surface, a “sword” (carbon chain) punctures the cell membrane. Then the electrical charge shocks the cell. Due to the electrical shock being transferred to the now dead cell, the “swords” maintain their strength and are ready for the next cell to contact it. This disruption prevents microbial survival and replication, thereby reducing the risk of contamination on cannabis products stored within treated packaging.
Another huge benefit of Biotrexx 247 is its ability to pull microbes and pathogens out of the air through the positively charged polymer. We spoke earlier about void-space and how that presents an opportunity for pathogens and microbes to permeate within a package, however, when Biotrexx 247 is applied to the package, it keeps the void-space clear and free of microbes by attracting them to the “swords.”
Long-Lasting Protection
One of the significant advantages of utilizing Biotrexx 247 on cannabis packaging is its long-lasting protection and agnostic application. Unlike conventional disinfectants, which offer temporary solutions, Biotrexx 247 forms a residual antimicrobial layer on the surface of the packaging material through a Silane quaternary bonding agent.
This layer continues to provide protection against pathogens for an extended period, from the point of packaging until the product reaches the end consumer. The sustained antimicrobial effect of Biotrexx 247 can significantly reduce the chances of contamination during storage and transport, ensuring that consumers receive safe and uncontaminated cannabis products.
Compatibility and Safety
Internal studies have demonstrated that Biotrexx 247 is compatible with various types of packaging materials commonly used in the cannabis industry, including glass, paper, plastic, and metal. A lot of cannabis packaging material is thick and a huge benefit of Biotrexx 247 is its unparalleled ability to bond to these thicker materials.
A publicly available study from 2017 on this product concluded, “Overall, the results of our study showed that the silane QAC coating technology has antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria even in the presence of repeated washing while it showed moderate activity to Gram-negative bacteria.”
Biotrexx 247 has also been extensively tested for safety and has been approved by the FDA and EPA for use in the healthcare, food, and pharmaceutical industries.
Conclusion
The growing demand for cannabis products calls for enhanced safety measures to minimize the risk of contamination. Utilizing residual antimicrobial products, such as Biotrexx 247, on cannabis packaging presents a promising solution to this pressing issue. Integrating this technology into cannabis packaging processes is simple and packs a big punch.
Scientific research has shown that Biotrexx 247 effectively inhibits the growth of harmful pathogens on numerous surface types, providing long-lasting protection and ensuring the safety of cannabis consumers. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing innovative technologies like residual antimicrobial packaging will play a crucial role in reducing cases of contaminated cannabis products, protecting public health, and fostering consumer confidence in the cannabis market.
About the Author
Robert Hasselfeld is a freelance writer and web developer for Safety Net, LLC.
The cannabis industry has a pesticide problem with a simple environmental solution. Every year, millions of dollars are lost to pathogens and their activities on cannabis farms. These huge losses affect pre-harvest and post-harvest operations. The most prominent of these challenges is product recalls which can be avoided with the right environmental solution to common contaminants like molds, pesticides, fungi, and bacteria.
In December 2022, The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) reported the recall of 9,300 products still on sale and 13,600 already purchased due to possible pesticide contamination. There were also traces of mold and fungus growth due to high levels of moisture after packaging. A 2019 research shows that diverse pesticides directly or indirectly pollute the air, water, soil, and ecosystem, leading to health hazards. According to the WHO pesticides are among the leading cause of death by self-poisoning, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In 2015, about 30,000 packages of marijuana-infused edibles were recalled in Colorado due to potential pesticide contamination.
As the need for cannabis products skyrocket, farmers face the dilemma of increasing production at the mercy of pest and diseases. Pest and diseases like mildew, HPLV, molds, and fungi have continued to plague cannabis farms, with farmers seeking solace in pesticides that leave residues in the plants. These pesticide-contaminated plants or products serve as a potential route of pesticide exposure to patients with neurological diseases, thus worsening their burdens and outcomes.
Pesticides have been found in all cannabis products, from flowers to edibles, vapes, and smokes. Information from research shows that rather than alleviating a patient’s condition, pesticide-contaminated cannabis harms the patients and exposes them to more adverse effects.
Note that the cannabis plant acts as a sponge that sucks up compounds from the soil. This is why some researchers are considering its possible use in cleaning polluted soils. So far, researchers have discovered the potential benefit of cannabis in bioremediation and cleaning up soils contaminated by fertilizers, pesticides, and heavy metals like cadmium and lead.
The pesticide pandemic in the cannabis industry needs urgent attention and calls for a need to abandon the archaic, harmful chemicals for processes that protect the plants by focusing on “the source of infection rather than dealing with the infection after it has manifested in the plant”. The pesticide problem in the cannabis industry stemmed from the need to keep the plant free from pests, fungi, bacteria, and molds, which can be prevented by maintaining an aseptic growing environment. It is pertinent to note that pesticides won’t be needed when plants are grown in a conducive and aseptic condition. This is why we can confidently say the cannabis industry has a pesticide problem with an environmental solution.
How We Aim to Address the Pesticide Problem in the Cannabis Industry
Although pesticides have always been a go-to solution for farmers who want to rid their farms of pathogens, the parameters have changed. They are now focused on eco-friendly solutions that deal with pathogens without compromising product quality or consumer and environmental safety. Over the years, the WHO and environmental protection agencies worldwide have channeled their strength to promote eco-friendly products that minimize environmental pollution while prioritizing consumer safety.
While product recalls may look simple, they are expensive and may likely send a cannabis company out of business. It may lead to losing confidence in the company’s ability to deliver quality products. So, what’s the solution to the pest and disease problems of the cannabis industry? Well, that’s where Bio-Security programs from Safety Net come into the picture.
Safety Net offers a range of products and services that have been proven effective in various agricultural-related areas that take care of contamination from the source. Their products and services focus on environmental cleaning, disinfection and protection products, UV disinfection products, air purification products, and water purification solutions. Safety Net’s eco-friendly products have the potential to eliminate the need for pesticides and give farmers a chance to save more with less costly products while dealing with pathogens with ease.
As the cannabis market keeps expanding, with more countries and regions legalizing it for recreational and medicinal use, it is becoming stricter and highly competitive. This includes an increasing need for more safety-compliant and healthy products. Companies that fail to meet the new market standard will be thrown out and replaced in the long run as regulations change and big companies and pharmaceutical labs enter the market and will adapt and produce eco-friendly ways of producing products.
With Safety Net’s Bio-security program, farmers can enjoy larger, healthier plants with the potential for more yield, which means higher profit margins. When compared annually, they offer a process where the cost of products to clean, disinfect and protect the growing environment is less than the cost of pesticides and other growth enhancement products.
Our products at Safety Net America have a broad use case, as they can be applied to any form of agriculture currently suffering from the pesticide pandemic. So far, our products have shown good results in cannabis, wine growing, food packaging, chicken house, and much more.
Conclusion
Pathogens are a pain in the neck of every breeder. They affect the quality and quantity of yield, thus defeating the aim of cultivation. With Safety Net’s Bio-Security program, your cannabis farm will be safeguarded from pathogens while maintaining your product’s compliance and safety. Their products and services are designed to safeguard environments beyond the normal approach to disinfecting. They are not only the trusted partner to address the needs of your business today but the partner to trust in developing solutions for the needs of tomorrow in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry.
For more information on Safety Net’s Bio-Security program and what they can do for you, contact them at info@safetynetamerica.com.
Research has proven that high-quality, contaminant-free cannabis products are more important than ever with the growing reforms and progress surrounding medical and recreational consumption. Marijuana is susceptible to contaminants similar to those that affect consumer food products. The worst offenders you might find in your cannabis are mold, powdery mildew, a fungus called Aspergillus, bile-tolerant gram-negative bacteria, salmonella, and yeast. When regulators find toxic products, such as flowers and pre-rolls, on the shelf from lots that have previously met state standards, it is likely because of post-harvest environmental control of the products. Post-harvest remediation is the solution to this serious issue.
When you consider the large-scale environmental conditions in which the cannabis is grown, harvested, dried, cured, and stored and compare it to the internal microenvironment of the dispensaries and retail stores, it makes sense that similar environmental conditions would affect the packaged products in the same way. Once the cannabis that has been tested and cleared has been packaged in sealed containers and sent to the dispensaries, additional tests for microbial contamination may show an increase in yeast and mold, even to the extent of causing a failure of the state-mandated requirements for microbial contamination. Products may be uncontaminated at the time of delivery from a supplier, which means the origin of this contamination is likely because conditions within the new environment were favorable to microbial growth.
When faced with post-harvest microbial contamination, you may want to implement post-harvest remediation techniques to ensure that such an event does not occur in the first place and have confidence that your products will pass the state-mandated tests while on the shelves and every time products leave the facility. Implementing post-harvest remediation and having faith that your product will pass strict state-mandated tests consistently is critical and essential to ensure your final product doesn’t risk the health of your consumers and your business. Depending on the processes and products used, decontamination can affect the quality, potency, and taste of cannabis, so it is essential to weigh all the pros and cons involved with any products or processes that come into contact with your cannabis and make sure they won’t compromise on quality or safety standards.
There is an ever-growing need for post-harvest remediation and decontamination technology in the cannabis industry today. Post-harvest is the last chance to treat the product prior to packaging it for consumption. If the packaging process is aseptic, then decontamination at that point is the best option to keep the product clean for the consumer. The best way to address issues with pathogens that may cause post-harvest contamination in any facility is to be proactive rather than reactive. There are a lot of factors that influence a cultivator’s decision to implement decontamination technology, but in the commercial grows, where a test failure could mean removing up to 100+ pounds of cannabis from the supply chain, the need is clear and so it should be with dispensaries and retail outlets as well.
Today, cannabis cultivators and dispensaries are the beneficiaries of decades of technology developments for consumer safety, including those developed for food safety. With cannabis in the mainstream of consumer products, it is time to take advantage of those developments and use them to create safe cannabis that will always pass the state-mandated tests for microbial contamination. These methods eliminate or significantly reduce the microbial contamination on the post-harvest cannabis and help to create the controlled microenvironment inside the dispensary and the final cannabis packaging necessary for ensuring safe cannabis across the supply chain.
Safety Net has developed an “Enhanced Bio-Security Program”from our core experience in the healthcare industry. Our products and processes set a new standard for proactively remedying pathogens such as bacteria, yeast, mildew, mold, and fungus in several agricultural markets. Designed to safeguard your environment beyond the typical approach to cleaning and disinfecting, our proven disinfection products and solutions center on providing long-term prevention results. We take an organic approach, utilizing cost-effective and environmentally friendly products and processes to create sustainable systems and promote healthy local biodiversity.
Remediation Steps for Contaminated Product
With contamination already occurring in existing packaged products, treating this product before bringing anything more into the facility is essential. Unfortunately, there is no quick way to accomplish this without removing the existing product from its packaging and treating the potential source of the problem. This treatment will be a two-step process that will enable you to eradicate the current pathogens on the cannabis product and then prepare the packaging to put the decontaminated product into.
The first step will be to kill the microbes in the post-harvest cannabis already packaged. This disinfection is accomplished using UVC technology like our AUVS UVC Disinfecting Cube. Research has proven that UVC can be very effective on cannabis when appropriately used (Disinfection & Sterilization Effects of UVCfor Cannabis,Why UVC For Powdery Mildew And Bud Mold). The AUVS UV Cube is highly effective in disabling or killing microorganisms that may exist in a short 55-second cycle. The main benefits of UVC disinfection and sterilization on cannabis are the process is easy, environmentally friendly, and chemical- free. UVC can offer strong disinfection and sterilization to cannabis in a short time with no adverse effects on the original quality, potency, and taste of your cannabis product. Remove the contaminated cannabis from its packaging and spread it out inside the UVC chamber so that all of the cannabis product can get the full effects of the UVC when processed.
The next step will be to treat the original packaging (inside and outside) with an antimicrobial product like SafetyNet’s Biotrexx 247, which creates an active antimicrobial barrier protecting the packaged product from microbial attack from mold, mildew, fungus and yeast. . Independent microbiological testing has proven the effectiveness of Biotrexx 247 in addition to having EPA Registration and FDA clearance.
Once the packaging has been treated and the cannabis product has been put through a UVC treatment, it is safe to place back into the packaging with the assurance that any further pathogen issues will be eliminated. But are there any gaps in this procedure?
Treat the Cause, Not the Symptoms – Preventative Measures to Stop Future Contamination
Although the elimination of any current contaminated product is the priority, one of the next things to consider in the post-harvest decontamination process is how to kill the microbes in the post-harvest cannabis when it arrives at a facility and before packaging. So often, many things that can create opportunities for post-harvest contamination, such as hygiene management, are overlooked or not considered. Still, these very things could be the start of an even bigger issue with contamination once the product is packaged.
Hygiene management is critical due to contaminants that are introduced from outside sources. There needs to be a focus on high standards for hygiene and cleanliness to keep your facilities pathogen-free and reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Simple things such as hand sanitizing and disinfection of mobile devices can be significant contributors.
Safety Net’s mPulselong-lasting antimicrobial hand sanitizer redefines the hand hygiene market with advanced technology that extends protection. Even though people feel the need to be concerned about hand sanitizing is minimal now that COVID has passed, it is still a concern. It should be addressed, especially in aseptic production environments. If warranted, hand sanitizers at entry points to a facility and throughout the facility would dramatically reduce the possibility of cross- contamination from outside sources.
Cross-contamination can also occur with the very items we don’t think about but are a part of our everyday life, such as mobile devices, watches, hats, and even scarves that have the potential to collect germs and viruses and be carried in and out of a facility. Without realizing it, these items are Petri dishes of germs and viruses and, when used throughout any facility, can unknowingly contribute to the spread of pathogens. Our AUVS UVC Disinfection Cube can easily integrate into any environment. It can provide complete disinfection for any device or article that may move from one place to another as people move in and out of a facility, such as mobile devices, or lose articles of clothing.
Next, it is vital to create the proper microenvironment for the packaged cannabis so that once sealed and made ready for sale; the product can resist all microbial attacks within this enclosed environment. It is crucial to consider the materials and packaging that products will go in, which have the potential to harbor pathogens that lay dormant until they come in contact with something they can infect. Treating all materials with an antimicrobial product like Safety Net’s Biotrexx 247 creates an active antimicrobial barrier, resulting in the highest efficacy against the complete microbial spectrum (odor causing bacteria, fungi (Aspergillus), & spores). The technology behind this product uses a carbon spike along with a positively charged nitrogen molecule so once bonded to the surface, it will attract microbes from the air or surrounding untreated surfaces, where the carbon spike contained within the product can pierce the microbe, and the nitrogen molecule in the product suffocates the microbe with nitrogen (Aspergillus Case Study For California Grow Facility). Independent microbiological testing has proven the effectiveness of Biotrexx 247 in addition to having EPA Registration and FDA clearance.
Although treating all forms of packaging before inserting the product is the first step, treating the entire environment where the product exists with Biotrexx 247 is critical. Much like the hygiene processes recommended, treating the environment as a whole (walls, floors, shelves, etc.) will ensure minimal bio-load, so mitigating the spread of airborne pathogens is easy.
While no system can legally claim that the product is 100% sterile, we believe our methods and products are the most effective means of reducing the microbial bio-burden while maintaining all the original quality, potency, and taste your cannabis has to offer.
About the Author
Jim Harris is Director of Business Development for Safety Net and owner of High Point Mobile Services, amongst other ventures. Jim works to expand Safety Net’s suite of highly effective products into new markets.
Interest in growing cannabis for medical and recreational purposes is increasing worldwide. Growing marijuana takes vigilance, even when it’s legal. Unfortunately, when the cannabis legalization wave started, many naively believed legal weed meant clean weed.
For legacy consumers, many never considered how cannabis was grown or what it was grown with, as the simple act of buying cannabis was illegal. With legalization, “pesticide” may be the most controversial buzzword throughout cannabis.
Pesticides are everywhere. We breathe them in the air around us; they’re in the soil and even in our water. Although pesticide toxicity is relatively low in most circumstances, it can become a severe health issue when people combust and inhale them.
Thanks to recent recalls, state, and media investigations, and even a consumer lawsuit, public scrutiny is turning toward the pesticides used by many marijuana growers. Reports show that many cannabis products from dispensaries contain pesticides, herbicides, and all sorts of gross stuff. It’s seriously concerning because consumers begin to doubt the ‘regulation’ supposedly in place.
What’s the point of legalization if safeguards aren’t enforced?
Toxic and non-toxic chemicals are designed to protect plants from destructive pests, but marijuana is unique. The pesticides safe for fruits, vegetables, or other crops may be unsafe for marijuana, especially when inhaled. Unfortunately, far too often, growers prioritize yield over consumer safety.
Mold on cannabis isn’t a new problem, but commercial production and overcrowded grow rooms create the perfect storm for pathogens and a perceived need to use pesticides. Pesticide contamination isn’t always intentional. High-humidity environments and overcrowded grow rooms create the optimal conditions for pathogens to grow and easily spread from plant to plant.
Like any crop, cannabis plants are prone to pests and disease – from tiny leaf-sucking spider mites that spawn a new generation in less than a week to powdery mildew, a fungus that forms a talcum-like coating on leaves and spreads rapidly through greenhouses. Unfortunately, the environmental conditions in a commercial cannabis grow are naturally susceptible to molds and fungus.
In the competitive cannabis industry, every company vies for a spot in the crowd, and growers race to produce the most potent and exciting new strains. Yet, lessons must be learned from the process.
The birth of the marijuana industry has given rise to a deeper awareness of production pitfalls and potential health risks – not from the cannabis itself, but from unintentional microbial contamination. You don’t have to apply pesticides to have them in your plants. Pesticides in a mother plant can linger for generations in clones.
Legalization is turning marijuana into a commodity crop, but it’ll take a mix of policy, science, and industry self-regulation to develop standards and best practices. State regulators with little to no experience in toxicology often lean toward significantly limiting or banning pesticide use on cannabis plants because of a lack of research, especially on inhalation. In the meantime, growers skirt around regulations by applying illegal pesticides on the down-low and then using remediation technologies to remove the chemicals after harvest to pass inspection.
Protecting yields is hard work. That’s why many growers in states that have legalized recreational or medical marijuana use chemicals. But in doing so, many cannabis products contain pesticides at levels higher than what’s typically allowed for edible or smokable products. While testing products for toxic chemicals and ensuring plants are grown in a clean and safe environment is necessary, without enforcing standards, the average consumer is often left with little assurance of safety—and limited knowledge of the uncertainty behind the scenes.
Preventing Molds Before They Start
Marijuana plants need protection from devastating diseases and infestations, especially in damp indoor conditions. This is why implementing protocols that protect the environment and plants is more important than ever.
Consumers also deserve protection from the effects of inhaling harmful chemicals and toxins. Preventing molds, mildew, and other pathogens starts with having and enforcing standard operating procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, and protecting the facility.
Growers can eliminate offending pesticides with remediation technology and biosecurity programs, yet many refuse to use these solutions because it raises suspicions that they may have used illegal pesticides. Biosecurity simply puts measures and activities in place to protect against the entry and spread of pests and diseases in the grow facility. Routine biosecurity checks ensure the health, development, maturity, and yields of cannabis crops by protecting the environment where they are grown rather than focusing solely on the plants.
Cannabis technology is fast-paced and ever-changing, impacting many sectors within the burgeoning market. One factor pushing the industry ever upwards is a surge in marijuana technology that helps produce better crops, ensures the highest safety standards, connects consumers with cannabis businesses, and provides new options for consumption.
Biosecurity is quickly becoming one of the most critical technologies in the cannabis industry. Testing standards are getting stricter, and the rate of tainted crops is skyrocketing, causing supply shortages and significant financial blows to cultivators all over the continent.
Crops with mold or fungus can be deadly to consumers—especially those with lower immune systems, like many medical users. The solution for many cultivators is to use chemicals like pesticides and fungicides to combat mold, but unfortunately, these still threaten consumers, placing cultivators in a catch-22 situation. Should you risk mold and fungus by avoiding chemicals? Or should you introduce potentially harmful chemicals to the plants to ensure against mold and fungus? Neither is a good option, as both put consumers at risk. Meanwhile, increased regulation puts cultivators at risk of significant profit loss from having to dispose of sub-par harvests.
Many growers are adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a biosecurity strategy that is ecosystem-based and focused on the long-term prevention of pests and damage through biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and the use of resistant plant varieties. This approach is worthwhile but takes time, education, financial investment, and hard work. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs are holistic systems to manage pest pressures below the threshold of economic damage. Many growers have faced financial ruin due to catastrophic crop loss. Fortunately, it is possible to manage pest pressures and produce clean, compliant cannabis without systemic pesticides. As any grower will likely say, damage to the crop equals damage to the bottom line.
Biosecurity should influence the design of grow facilities. Protecting marijuana plants, cuttings, and seeds from pests and pathogens might mean building special quarantine spaces for employees to clean off street clothes before entering the facility. Other architectural designs include specialized soil or built-in equipment to regulate and protect cannabis growth without pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
Given that the financial stakes of indoor cultivators’ operations are primarily rooted in the grow room, adequate biosecurity measures are essential to protect plant investments and harvest profits. Biosecurity practices protect the operation from unwanted pests (insects, diseases, rodents, and weeds) and prevent transmission of contamination.
Biosecurity programs differ from security because the threat doesn’t come from people but rather from pathogens, molds, or pests. Control measures should include evaluating existing processes, reviewing cleaning practices, limiting site access, and managing inputs like growing media.
When All Else Fails, Remediate
Grow facility sanitization is more important than you might think, and there is more to it than simply selecting effective products. Pests, mold, mildew, fungus, and other such pathogens can ruin plants, but there are ways to stop an infestation or reduce its damage by taking a proactive preventative approach. Consideration needs to be given to specific protocols suitable for your cleaning, disinfection, and protection program.
Much has been said about how important it is to clean, disinfect and protect a cannabis grow facility to keep problems at bay. Astute growers always have one eye on the grow house and the other on the future. This helps them to discover new markets, seize novel opportunities, and gain a competitive advantage.
Cannabis growers don’t need to reinvent the wheel when identifying processes, equipment, and technology that can help protect their environment and plants. A biosecurity program makes perfect sense for cannabis by eliminating the need for chemicals on crops. Plus, it’s affordable, works, and can be incredibly successful.
In the best-case scenario, a plan should be in place before you have plants in plugs. In the worst-case scenario, you need to persevere until things have been cleaned up and then implement a proactive and preventative approach rather than a reactive approach which is the mode of operation for most growers today.
Biosecurity is a primary concern for many cultivators due to the impact moldy or tainted crops can have not only on consumers but on the operation’s bottom line. Unfortunately, it is a complex issue—constantly moving from one input to another—making it hard to get right.
Biosecurity is a more significant process than a typical sanitation program. Biosecurity looks at controlling sources of disease both outside and within a facility rather than simply cleaning up equipment and work surfaces.
Pests and pathogens are present in the outside environment and can enter cultivation areas where they may find a protected niche to infest. Cross-contamination from tools, staff clothing, and personal electronic devices can introduce spores, and contamination into a cannabis grow room.
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Proper disinfection practices work within a growing facility, and biosecurity needs to be seen as an extra ring of protection. Whatever can be done to keep pathogens at bay within your facility will save you from tremendous headaches and loss.
The best biosecurity programs usually consist of multiple layers designed to evaluate the current conditions of a facility, starting with testing to determine the level of pathogen contamination and where it is most prominent, and then the right processes and products to do proper cleaning, disinfecting, and protection of the entire environment. Humidity, warm temperatures, and poor circulation can encourage the growth and spread of pathogens, so every aspect of a facility, from hard surfaces to air and water, must be considered when looking at complete remediation.
The main areas to protect include site access, cultivar sourcing, growing media selection, air and water quality, and the human element. Remediation addresses anything that could potentially harbor destructive organisms, thereby reducing yield and quality and potentially limiting trade and market access while increasing the cost of production.
Improved health and well-being of consumers and increased revenue for growers should be the ultimate objectives of any biosecurity program. The environment in which plants are grown, including the cleanliness of the facility, strongly influences the outcome. Once biosecurity and proper disinfection programs are established, it is vital to train employees on the systems and mandate protocols.
In Conclusion
While the cannabis market has seen innovative ideas changing how facilities grow their crops and how consumers find and consume cannabis products, there has also been a steady stream of concepts that simply didn’t have staying power. For every technological advance that’s caused a seismic shift within the industry, hundreds of other products have arisen and disappeared without a trace.
While it’s impossible to know what the next big change will be, cannabis technology continues to be a driving force in a market that shows no signs of slowing down, and there is a considerable focus on the adoption of IPM concepts and the implementation of a proper biosecurity program. The global cannabis market is expected to grow tremendously, and well-positioned companies could capitalize on this.
The benefits of a more harmonized and integrated approach to biosecurity with indoor environments are already apparent with many greenhouses and grow facilities in the U.S. and worldwide. Here are just a few of the most important:
The entire environment is now protected, eliminating the potential for cross-contamination.
Improved safety of personnel
Reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous/toxic products on plants.
Reduce financial investment with less costly and environmentally friendly cleaning/disinfecting products.
Greater efficiencies in crop yield leads to more profit.
Safer products reach the hands of consumers.
The over-arching benefits of a good biosecurity program are apparent. Yet, more emphasis must be placed on adopting a proactive approach to address the root cause of cross-contamination. Too often, we see a reactive approach using harmful or hazardous pesticides and cleaners that contribute to long-term health issues for staff and consumers.
With adequate biosecurity, we believe growers will see a dramatic decrease in issues across the board, leading to fewer issues with testing and ultimately providing consumers with products they can trust will not harm them. Moreover, a more holistic approach to biosecurity will enable these benefits to be achieved in a manner that avoids inconsistencies, fills gaps, and prevents the creation of unnecessary barriers to trade.
The Ohio-based company Safety Net offers consulting services in biosecurity and the proper implementation of products and services for complete facility remediation and enhanced plant irrigation concepts. If you want more information to help you understand the benefits of implementing an effective biosecurity program, you can contact Ron Romano with Safety Net at info@sefetynetamerica.com to receive your free biosecurity implementation guide.
About the Author
Jim Harris is Director of Business Development for Safety Net and owner of High Point Mobile Services, amongst other ventures. Jim works to expand Safety Net’s suite of highly effective products into new markets.
Healthy, sustainable food production methods give us food that is nutritionally better and with fewer pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones.”
Marion Nestle
Agricultural growers, whether flowers, fruits, vegetables, or cannabis lean on the quality of their yield. In the past few decades, using pesticides and fungicides to protect harvest numbers were the methods of choice. But it’s 2023, and we have better technology, strategies, and science to protect our crops without contaminating the product that the shopper consumes. The way we look at it at Safety Net is you have two options: to be reactive or to be proactive.
Prioritizing the environment where plants are grown can ensure a healthy and sustainable crop, while also reducing the risk of contamination for consumers. Focusing on preventing germs, bacteria, molds, and fungus from spreading in the first place, growers can establish a proactive approach that can help prevent cross-contamination and avoid larger problems down the road.
Safety Net’s enhanced Bio-Security Program embodies the proactive mindset by tackling pathogens at the source through various technologies and methodologies that can cross pollinate from the rigorously regulated hospital industry into the realm of agriculture.
Beyond Cleaning & Disinfecting
Cleaning, disinfection, and protection practices within a growing facility are critical for numerous reasons and having a protocol in place for proper remediation goes a long way. But these basic practices are not enough for an environment that needs to grow healthy plants and produce. Mold, mildew, and fungus are common threats, along with harmful bacteria and pathogens, and these threats come in from all angles.
At Safety Net, we recommend what we call the 5 Pillar Approach to Enhanced Bio-Security, which goes well beyond the traditional cleaning and disinfecting methods. Our roots are in the hospital and healthcare sector and the 5 standards of infection control are a great basis for any organization looking to clean up their act. But, our approach to agricultural bio-security ensures a level of decontamination that negates the need for spraying plants directly with fungicides, pesticides, and other products that have potential health effects on consumers.
The 5 Pillars
Personnel Compliance – just as germs and viruses travel from person to person, anyone who enters your facility is an opportunity for cross-contamination in a cannabis facility or growing environment. The staff themselves can unwittingly carry contaminants into the facility on the clothes they wear and even on the electronic devices they use.
Surface Disinfection – keeping surfaces clean is critically important, but using harsh chemicals may not be the healthiest approach. SafetyNet’s AquaOx™️ 112 cleaner, AquaOx™️ 525 disinfectant not only cleans and disinfects surfaces but our Biotrexx 247™️ antimicrobial protectant also attracts and destroys pathogens on contact.
Air Purification – the pandemic has made it abundantly clear how vital air purification is in all indoor facilities. Airborne particulates and contaminants can recirculate through the HVAC and air handling systems. Using our Biotrexx™️ 247 to coat filters helps to capture and destroy germs and viruses rather than just capture. Our Element Air™ technology that utilizes high-intensity UV light targeted on a catalyst to create airborne gaseous hydrogen peroxide provides active microbial and odor mitigation. For larger facilities, our BP-3131 kills pathogens moving through the HVAC System at 2000 CFM in a split second and provides a 99.9995 pathogen reduction.
Water Purification – just as we do not want to drink contaminants in our water, neither do plants. SafetyNet ‘s full line of water purification products provides a complete cleaning and disinfection process and is a systematic method for environmental cleaning and disinfecting that aims at reducing harm to human health and the environment while improving the hygiene of a facilities environment.
Tools For the Task – no job is done efficiently without the proper equipment and the most important part is how products are applied so they can be the most effective in reducing pathogens. Our line of ESS electrostatic sprayers provides the best electrostatic charge and consistent droplet size for superior coverage and highest pathogen reduction.
Consumer Awareness
Modern day consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the potential health risks associated with consuming food products that have been exposed to harmful pathogens. According to a report by the World Health Organization, foodborne diseases are a major public health problem worldwide, causing an estimated 600 million cases of illness and 420,000 deaths each year. The report also highlights the fact that unsafe food can lead to a wide range of health problems, including diarrheal diseases, viral infections, and even cancer. Given the severity of these health risks, it is essential for growers and farmers to prioritize infection prevention in their environment.
By prioritizing infection prevention in the environment, growers and farmers can help to reassure consumers that their products are safe and healthy.
Science Says, “Be Proactive.”
Research has also shown that taking a proactive approach to pathogen prevention can have significant benefits for crop yield and quality. For example, a study found on Springer found that implementing a proactive infection prevention program led to a 50% reduction in disease incidence in greenhouse-grown tomatoes. The study also found that the program resulted in a 29% increase in yield compared to the control group. These findings suggest that prioritizing infection prevention in the environment can not only protect consumer health but also benefit growers and farmers by improving crop yield and quality.
In addition to the health and economic benefits, prioritizing infection prevention in the environment can also have positive environmental impacts. The use of pesticides and fungicides can have detrimental effects on soil quality, water quality, and overall ecosystem health. By adopting a proactive approach to infection prevention, growers and farmers can reduce their reliance on these harmful chemicals, promoting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural system.
Let’s be proactive, not reactive, or as we like to say, “Protect Your Environment and Your Environment Will Protect You”.
About the Author
Robert Hasselfeld is an entrepreneur, consultant, and freelance writer for Safety Net.
The article “Reducing Crop Waste Through Better Infection Prevention” was specially written for Safety Net by Alice Palmer
Food and crop waste affect not only the farmers and agriculture workers who grow them but also ordinary consumers. Findings from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN estimate the global volume of food wastage at 1.6 billion tons. The edible part of this wastage amounts to 1.3 billion tons. This tells us that not only is a lot of food and agriculture going to waste but it could also still be consumed by many in nutrient-poor areas. Reducing crop waste is therefore a priority for the betterment of society.
One major cause of food and crop waste — along with global food insecurity — is pathogens that cause plant infections. Today, we’ll look at how these pathogens contribute to the production of crop waste and how infection prevention can help reduce the problem:
Plant Pathogens & Food Waste
Plant pathogens and fungi infections are best represented in the molds we see in rotten or spoiled foods. Any fungi and fungal-like organisms found in plants are plant pathogens, making all plants vulnerable to plant diseases. Insights from the Finding Genius, a podcast series on Scribd, highlight how these pathogens dramatically change a plant’s ability to survive. Unfortunately, in the context of farming, fungal infections and pathogens can lead to many agricultural issues, which is why we need to control them. To manage these fungal pathogens, researchers look into the interactions between plants and fungi and what scientific process can help defend crops against the fungi.
How does food waste — caused by these pathogens — affect food security and safety for consumers worldwide, then? In a One Health Outlook study, researchers cite the case of rotting banana fruit in Uganda, and how the wilting and death of banana plants result in significant reductions in the availability of this staple food in East and Central Africa. The study also emphasizes the threats of poor plant health on population health, productivity, and prosperity. Protecting plants from pathogens and pests will not only improve global food security and safety but also confront the impacts of climate change while protecting the environment.
Infection Prevention Planning Services & How They Can Help
To help protect crops and plants against pathogens and subsequently reduce crop waste, infection control and prevention solutions should prioritize the safety and health of the workers handling produce, as well as that of the consumers who will eventually access them. In the agricultural context, chemicals such as those found in pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides can create long-term health issues for the farmers that use them, along with potential health implications for consumers.
As a safer and effective alternative, patented residual antimicrobial solution Biotrexx 247 eliminates the threat of molds, mildew, fungi, and dangerous bacteria from affecting your crops. When growing organic food and produce, solutions like Biotrexx 247 can help fend off a wide range of microbial growth from affecting the plants, significantly reducing the amount of food and crop waste produced per annum. Protecting the plants and crops at the growth stage will benefit end-consumers in terms of food quantity and quality while minimizing their exposure to harmful chemicals. This strategy is sustainable and safer for the environment as well. On top of protecting plants from plant diseases, solutions such as the Biotrexx 247 are a way to protect plants from other potentially harmful microorganisms without disrupting nature.
Aside from outdoor farming setups, infection prevention solutions will serve the same purpose for indoor use. This is especially useful for businesses that own year-long production facilities which produce natural and organic products, as indoor grow houses are just as susceptible to mold, mildew, and fungi as other microbial threats.
For more updates on infection control & prevention do check out The Safety Blog. Safety Net’s Enhanced Bio-Security Program is designed to protect farmers and distributors from harvest loss and ensure a better bottom line.
When you’re green, you’re growing. When you’re ripe, you rot.”
Ray Kroc
The general philosophy of the consumer has shifted as of late. More health conscious than ever, shoppers choose natural foods grown without preservatives, pesticides, or fertilizers.
With natural foods in high demand, natural obstacles will arise, and producers should do what they can to defend their businesses from the financial fallout of these threats.
From a global market perspective, the organic food market is an exciting opportunity. With projected growth to reach a revenue of $484.0 billion by 2030[1], many mouths are watering in anticipation.
However, the competition is stiff for producers and distributors of natural food products. Apart from other businesses in your space, foodborne fungi present a massive threat to operations, bottom lines, and consumer trust.
What the Hell are Molds and Fungi?
Molds are fungi, most of which are visible to the human eye when they form groups. Scientists don’t know the exact number of mold types present on Earth. There likely are more than 300,000.[2]
One of the many reasons mold spreads so rapidly is that it reproduces using spores that can spread through water, air, or even insects. Once transported to a new surface, these spores will germinate and produce new hyphae to begin the process once again.
Think about how honeybees pollinate flowers; that’s how mold spores move from one place to the next with ease – moving through either abiotic or biotic pollination.
Abiotic Pollination: when a non-biological entity assists in transportation of spores (gravity, water, air).
Biotic Pollination: occurs when a spore moves from one place to the next through a biological medium (birds, flies, honeybees).
Whether indoor or outdoors, mold can colonize and proliferate if given the proper conditions. In keeping with best food practices, we should aim to deploy solutions that tackle mold/fungi while aligning with grower/distributor budgets and consumer desires.
As infection prevention experts, we recommend vineyards, cannabis farms, breweries, and more to use the excellent antimicrobial solution Biotrexx 247 from our partners at Clearstream Technologies.
Treating the Environment
Every year there are millions of tons of pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, and many other ‘cides you’ve probably never heard of applied to the environment that grows our food.
According to a survey from the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS), “apple growers applied both fungicides and other chemicals equally to 89% of the acres. Peach and blueberry growers applied fungicides to 86% and 85% of acres, respectively.”[3]
The use of these chemicals can create long-term health issues in the farmers using them, negatively impact the soil, and have potential health implications on the consumer end. Let’s try to keep natural natural.
In order to do this, we need to find solutions and methodologies that work in cooperation with nature and not disrupt it. Think about greenhouses that supply vegetables, fruits, herbs, and more while providing year-round growing. What’s an effective way to eliminate the threat of molds, mildews, fungi, and dangerous bacteria from affecting your crops? Well, we believe that using a patented, residual antimicrobial solution Biotrexx 247, holds the answer.
How Does Biotrexx 247 Work?
The active ingredient in Biotrexx 247 forms a colorless, odorless, positively charged polymer (a substance with a molecular structure consisting of many similar units bonded together) and chemically bonds to the treated surface.
It helps to think of this technology as a layer of electrically charged swords enveloping the target surface. Contrary to leaching solutions (most solutions these days), when a microorganism encounters the Biotrexx treated surface, its cell membrane becomes punctured by the molecular “sword,” and the electrical charge shocks the cell. The antimicrobial doesn’t lose strength, and the sword remains ready for the next cell to contact it.
Most conventional leaching disinfecting solutions do well to quickly kill bacteria and fungi despite having a limited spectrum of effectiveness. Manufacturers of these solutions design them to kill fast and disappear rapidly to avoid adverse effects on humans and animals due to the toxic nature of their ingredients.
The target microbes will absorb the leaching chemical solutions, which poison and destroy them from within the confines of their cell membranes. However, one of the critical consequences of leaching solutions is the ability of the microorganism to develop resistance to the chemical.
If a cell absorbs the chemical yet the chemical doesn’t kill it, the cell will develop defense mechanisms against it. Antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance is a cascading threat to our way of life, so solutions need to account for microbes’ willingness to survive.
Indoor Opportunties
Many companies that produce natural and organic products own facilities that can produce year-round. However, an underlying issue plaguing indoor grow houses is controlling mold, mildew, fungi, amongst a host of other microbial threats that damage crops, structures, tools, and margins.
Treating your “environment” with Biotrexx 247 is a fantastic solution. Using the bonding technology, you can apply it to the interior walls, floors, ceilings, tools, you name it to eliminate the threat of dangerous microbes.
But how does a surface disinfectant actively eliminate spores that can travel through the air? Well, if you recall, Biotrexx is electrically charged. This means that the positive charge of the solution attracts the negatively charged spores, bringing them into the surface where they are punctured and killed. The residual aspects of this formula allow it to constantly pull spores out of the air so long as it is on the surface.
And best yet, you don’t need to spray often and can avoid spraying the plants and soil directly. Providing the safest, healthiest environment possible for you to produce and distribute organic goods.
How Biotrexx 247 Helps Food Distributors
How many times have you purchased “fresh” produce from the grocery store only to have it mold in the packaging two days later? Leaving you frustrated and your garbage bin full. According to the non-profit organization
Feeding America, the United States tosses nearly 108 billion pounds of food per annum. This figure equates to more than 130 billion meals and more than $400 billion in food thrown away yearly.[4]
For those who grow and distribute natural foods, mold and fungi present the most dangerous foe. Because, just like us, mold prefers organic. However, predicting microbial growth depends on innumerable variables. Packaging materials, manufacturing processes, shipping requirements, and water content levels are just a few of the things that food scientists are thinking about when determining the best distribution methods. Controlling a wide range of microbial growth is another story.
Supermarkets are responsible for 10% of all U.S. food waste. The food supply chain wastes 45% of all produce, 35% of seafood, 30% of cereals, and 20% of meat and dairy products each year.[5] As you can see, there is something wrong with how our food is packaged.
Due to Biotrexx’s 247 ability to bond the target surfaces and puncture cell membranes, this antimicrobial affords distributors an excellent opportunity to reduce those waste numbers mentioned above. Remember that layer of “swords?” Envision that they exist on every inch of your food package or growing environment; microbes won’t stand a chance to colonize and grow. An agnostic application process allows the solution to form to any style of food packaging, shipping containers, beverage barrels, you name it.
Yes, Biotrexx is EPA-registered and FDA-approved. It is currently and successfully working in cattle farms, tomato farms, and other vital agricultural specialties to combat microbial and fungal growth. Since everyone on Earth is akin to food consumption, we should demand that our food packaging use better antimicrobial and preventative measures to reduce food waste due to microbial growth.
Conclusion
The consumer trend of “organic” isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Which is a good thing; we all deserve to have fresh, natural food options. That doesn’t negate the fact that food packaging and preservation tactics are necessary. If we can avoid spraying food/crops directly and better contain microbial growth in packaging, we can dramatically reduce these alarming food waste numbers.
On the flip side, the lack of microbial presence in the package can enable food to stay fresh longer.
Part of our philosophy at Safety Net when onboarding new products are to identify people, pet, and planet-friendly solutions. All our solutions are evidence-based, rigorously tested, and commonly reevaluated for effectiveness. Strike first to protect your harvest and your packages, increase your output, and improve consumer trust using our antimicrobial technology.
References
[1] Dive, R. (2022, June 1). Global Organic Food Market Anticipated to Generate a Revenue of $484.0 Billion and Rise at a CAGR of 11.77% over the Forecast Period from 2022 to 2030 [220-Pages] | Report by Research Dive. Cision PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-organic-food-market-anticipated-to-generate-a-revenue-of-484-0-billion-and-rise-at-a-cagr-of-11-77-over-the-forecast-period-from-2022-to-2030-220-pages–report-by-research-dive-301558622.html
[2]What to Know About Molds on Food. (2021, December 10). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-to-know-mold-food
[3] NASS. (2022). (rep.). 2021 Fruit Chemical Use. USDA. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/Publications/Economic_Releases/Fruit_and_Vegetable_Crop_Chemical_Usage/2021%20Fruit%20Chemical%20Use%20-%20Highlights.pdf.
[4]Food Waste in America | Feeding America. (2019). Feeding America. https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/our-approach/reduce-food-waste#:%7E:text=How%20much%20food%20waste%20is,food%20in%20America%20is%20wasted.
[5] S. (2020). Supermarkets Moving Toward Zero Food Waste. Smart Sense. https://blog.smartsense.co/supermarkets-zero-food-waste
A Solution to a Few Unintended Consequences of Convergent Technology
“Convergent strategic reality admits that in almost Newtonian logic, there is a very equal and opposite nefarious and dangerous side to technology that wows us for every good thing that technology provides.
Dr. Robert McCreight
First and foremost, if you haven’t read our article on the science behind Crystalusion Liquid Glass, you need to since this article won’t be discussing how the technology works in-depth. Instead, this article aims to express the two primary health benefits Crystalusion provides smartphone users.
To better understand why Crystalusion Liquid Glass is necessary for your smartphone from a health perspective, let’s put our tinfoil hats on and jump into a bit of a rabbit hole.
Conspiracy Facts
If you go to any wireless health site and toggle over to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) section, you’ll see numerous questions asking, “are wireless devices and networks able to cause cancer in humans?” Or, “I saw a research paper that claimed wireless devices and networks might cause health effects. What does that mean?”
Sometimes the answer is along the lines of, “the Russian government is promoting discredited claims in an attempt to scare Americans. This includes highlighting activists whose ‘work appears not in reputable science journals but little-known reports, publications, self-published tracts, at times with copious notes of dubious significance.”[1]
However, just a little digging, you’ll find research in Nature with conclusions stating, “In general, the radio frequency energy will be transmitted to the surroundings when the mobile phone is operating. Thus, this energy can easily be absorbed by the head or any human body parts that are near to the device. Besides that, the latest 5G mobile network is new development to the world and precautions are necessary to avoid any unintended harmful consequences.”[2]
One systematic review published in PubMed also found, “The findings of this review showed that EMF radiation exposure is associated with hormonal, thermal, and cardiovascular changes among adults.” And they concluded, “More research should be conducted to identify the specific impacts of EMF radiation exposure on pregnancy, birth, and infant outcomes. Healthcare providers and researchers are recommended to collaborate to improve public health through public education and updated organizational policies to limit these environmental risks by encouraging the use of safe technologies.” [3]
I’ve linked a few other studies for you to explore from well respected institutions and research platforms. These studies express the cascading concern of the health implications derived from long-term EMF radiation exposure.
Note that the most recently cited research on the NCI’s page is from 2018, referencing a study of RF-EMF exposure in children. In that citation, the conclusion was, “It is important to continue evaluating RF-EMF exposure in children as device use habits, exposure levels, and main contributing sources may change.”[4]
All of the research presented is post-2018, and most demand more studies with relevant technologies. Something to consider is that science is ever-changing. New observations, new methods, and new technologies yield new results. Science is always up for debate, and theories are subject to change if proven otherwise true.
As humans, our hubris occasionally gets the best of us. Despite our intentions being good, there are countless examples of the unintended consequences of technological advancement. Luckily, our lust for innovation and problem solving affords us the option of creating solutions.
Did I Forget to Mention Digital Dementia?
An alarming trend that is emerging from many of these EMF studies with cell phones is the association of EMF exposure being linked with what’s been termed, digital dementia.
For the past 25 years, researchers in the field of Alzheimer’s disease have been looking at the relationship between electromagnetic fields and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Finding that this relationship is potentially linked through calcium at the intracellular level.
A study conducted on this relationship found, “Electronically generated electromagnetic fields (EMFs), including those used in wireless communication such as cell phones, Wi-Fi and smart meters, are coherent, producing very high electric and magnetic forces, which act on the voltage sensor of voltage-gated calcium channels to produce increases in intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i. The calcium hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has shown that each of the important AD-specific and nonspecific causal elements is produced by excessive [Ca2+]i. [Ca2+]i acts in AD via excessive calcium signaling and the peroxynitrite/oxidative stress/inflammation pathway, which are each elevated by EMFs. An apparent vicious cycle in AD involves amyloid-beta protein (Aβ) and [Ca2+]i. Three types of epidemiology suggest EMF causation of AD, including early onset AD.”[5]
“To adapt to changing environments, cells must signal, and signaling requires messengers whose concentration varies with time. Filling this role, calcium ions (Ca2+) and phosphate ions have come to rule cell signaling.”[6] EMFs cause cells to produce an excess of calcium signals which can cause vascular and cognitive impairments. What would happen over decades of exposure to these frequencies?
Today, Americans spend an average of 5.3 hours on their phones each day.[7] Some quick back of the napkin math will show you that’s 1,934.5 hours per year. Over the course of a lifetime (assuming 70 years of life) that’s 134,415 hours of exposure if you maintain the usage numbers. We have no way of quantifying the health implications of these numbers yet. We are however, beginning to recognize trends with EMFs and health that are unsavory. Solutions must arise to combat these trends, especially as we continue to ramp up our smart devices, wearable technologies, and someday soon, electronic implants.
Nanotechnology Proven to Reduce EMF Emissions
The FCC has stated, “The FCC limit for public exposure from cellular telephones is a SAR level of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6W/kg.).”[8] Regardless of these regulations, knowing that these smartphones are actively emitting low levels of EMF radiation should concern us.
Especially as these devices become more powerful. Just because airbag technology in vehicles improves doesn’t mean we shouldn’t wear our seatbelts for now.
Crystalusion Liquid Glass is a one-stop-shop for eliminating up to 90% of the EMF radiation coming from your phone. Tests were conducted on the Crystalusion product in August 2017 at MicroBio Laboratory in the UK. For the testing, three smartphones and a smart tablet of multiple brands were tested for Radiation Emission using an Electromagnetic Radiation Detector DT1130 and RapidTables.com for conversion from standard Hz to W/Kg to confirm SARS measurement standards.
Before application of the Crystalusion Liquid Glass nano-coating, the devices were emitting the following levels of EMFs:
Mobile 1
Mobile 2
Mobile 3
Tablet 1
Radiation Emission
1.0 W/Kg
1.1 W/Kg
1.3 W/Kg
1.3 W/Kg
Table 1 – Radiation Emission Before Coating
Post application of Crystalusion, the following results were witnessed:
Mobile
Mobile 2
Mobile 3
Tablet 1
Radiation Emission
0.2 W/Kg
0.3 W/Kg
0.5 W/Kg
0.3 W/Kg
Table 2 – Radiation Emission After Coating
The laboratory testing concluded that overall, the coating application reduced EMF emissions on smart devices by up to 80-90%
An additional experiment, run by the same MicroBio Laboratory, using similar testing methods, yielded the following results:
Mobile 1
Mobile 2
Mobile 3
Tablet 1
Radiation Emission
1.0 W/Kg
1.1 W/Kg
1.5 W/Kg
1.3 W/Kg
Table 3 – Radiation Emission Before Coating
Mobile 1
Mobile 2
Mobile 3
Tablet 1
Radiation Emission
0.3 W/Kg
0.4 W/Kg
0.5 W/Kg
0.4 W/Kg
Table 4 – Radiation Emission After Coating
It is evident that Crystalusion Liquid Glass reduces EMF radiation emissions. While the verdict remains undetermined on the health implications of excessive exposure to cell phone EMF emissions, you should take advantage of this incredibly resilient nanotechnology.
*Refer to the Ramazzini Study linked above to see how EMF emissions from cell towers effected rodents at levels below the FCC’s regulations.*
Smart Devices & Wearables; Bacteria’s Air BnB
Phone Bacteria
Your hands are disgusting. However, washing our hands to rid them of bacteria is easy. For our smart devices, it’s a different story.
Few disinfectants can apply to smartphones without potentially causing corrosion, are chemical-free and safe to use, and efficacy is questionable when dealing with extended dwell times.
Systematic research has shown, “The 2 most commonly found micro-organisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (most commonly found in 30 studies) and Staphylococcus aureus (most commonly found in 10 studies). The frequency of microbial growth varied across studies.” And that “The use of mobile phones by healthcare workers without proper disinfection may imply a risk for nosocomial infection.”[9]
Another study found, “The results of our study and evidence from previous other studies clearly show that healthcare workers’ mobile phones are potential reservoirs of microbial contamination. The microbes can be transmitted from the hands of health care workers to both, sick and healthy persons (Ferroni et al., 1998). So, it is suggested that the healthcare workers must clean their mobile phones properly at regular time intervals with any appropriate disinfectant.” [10]
Simple solutions like PhoneSoap can be a daily disinfection method for smart devices and small objects. Additionally, Crystalusion Liquid Glass provides a unique approach to cell phone hygiene through the power of nanotechnology.
Proprietary Protection
Within the nano-liquid Crystalusion Liquid Glass, the creators deploy a patented surface disinfectant that acts as a semi-permanent layer of protection. Closing the hygiene gap between hands and cell phones, Crystalusion Liquid Glass enables active infection control for an extended period.
Antimicrobial testing was conducted on this product, and three different organisms were used for the trial, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Three strains of each organism were used, and each organism was grown separately in Nutrient Broth. The three strains were then added together to make a single inoculum, which was done for both the Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains.
The conclusion of the study, conducted by Camden BRI, found, “The level of reduction observed in these studies ranged from 75% to 99.99%. In four of the six trials, the level of reduction was greater than 99%.” Crystalusion Liquid Glass (Coating NX BF 2065) was the most effective compound, with a 99.9% reduction for all three organisms (table 5).
Organism
NX BF 2065
NX 1051
Salmonella
99.9%
94.8%
Staphylococcus aureus
99.99%
99.9%
Escherichia coli
99.9%
75.3%
Table 5 – Calculated % Reduction in Level of Organisms
Crystalusion Liquid Glass is in a league of its own. Protecting for extended periods of time against dangerous bacteria. If you work in healthcare, where cross contamination flourishes, protecting your smart devices with this solution is a no brainer.
A Crystal-Clear Conclusion
Based on all evidence and research, it is clear to see that mobile devices can potentially be hazardous to our health if we keep them close to us for extended periods. Some emerging studies showcase that smart devices and their applications are dangerous to our mental health. I’m sure you’ve seen the documentary The Social Dilemma at this point, if you haven’t, give it a go!
The unintended consequences of converging multiple technologies into a single item can be elusive, hopefully this article has brought some of these pitfalls to light.
Luckily, Crystalusion has researched this emerging threat to our health and in true human fashion, created a solution. A solution that provides more than EMF emission reduction and antimicrobial protection. Simulataneously providing diamond-tested durability, a first-in-class warranty, agnostic application for numerous items, is completely invisible, and protects your device for up to a year at a time.
A solution that uses cutting-edge science to combat the inadvertent issues that are a by-product of being blinded by the positive aspects of technologies.
When problems arise, people solve them. It is what we do. However, we are imperfect, sometimes incapable of containing the necessary foresight. We take a wrong turn, we stumble on the path of innovation, but eventually, we find course again and keep plugging along. We are human, mistakes are inevitable.
About Safety Net
Safety Net is an infection prevention and control company that has been in the industry since 2006. Providing unique and evidence-based approaches to reducing HAIs in the healthcare setting. We’ve recognized the need to broaden our scope into the commercial space in order to provide hospital-grade solutions to the general public.
About the Author
Robert Hasselfeld is an entrepreneur, consultant, and freelance writer for Safety Net.
References
[1]Frequently Asked Questions. (n.d.). Wireless Health Facts. https://www.wirelesshealthfacts.com/frequently-asked-questions/
[2] Ramachandran, T., Faruque, M.R.I., Siddiky, A.M. et al. Reduction of 5G cellular network radiation in wireless mobile phone using an asymmetric square shaped passive metamaterial design. Sci Rep11, 2619 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82105-7
[3] El Jarrah, I., & Rababa, M. (2022). Impacts of smartphone radiation on pregnancy: A systematic review. In Heliyon (Vol. 8, Issue 2, p. e08915). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08915
[4] Birks, L. E., Struchen, B., Eeftens, M., van Wel, L., Huss, A., Gajšek, P., Kheifets, L., Gallastegi, M., Dalmau-Bueno, A., Estarlich, M., Fernandez, M. F., Meder, I. K., Ferrero, A., Jiménez-Zabala, A., Torrent, M., Vrijkotte, T., Cardis, E., Olsen, J., Valič, B., Vermeulen, R., … Guxens, M. (2018). Spatial and temporal variability of personal environmental exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields in children in Europe. Environment international, 117, 204–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2018.04.026
[5] Pall, M. L. (2022). Low Intensity Electromagnetic Fields Act via Voltage-Gated CalciumChannel (VGCC) Activation to Cause Very Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease:18 Distinct Types of Evidence. Current Alzheimer Research, 19(2), 119–132. https://doi.org/10.2174/1567205019666220202114510
[6] Clapham, D. E. (2007). Calcium Signaling. Cell, 131(6), 1047–1058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2007.11.028
[7]How Much Time Does the Average Person Spend on Their Phone? (2022, May 10). KommandoTech. https://kommandotech.com/statistics/how-much-time-does-the-average-person-spend-on-their-phone/#:%7E:text=People%20spend%20an%20average%20of,5%20hours%20to%20their%20smartphones.
[8]Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for Cellular Telephones. (2020b, October 14). Federal Communications Commission. https://www.fcc.gov/general/specific-absorption-rate-sar-cellular-telephones#:%7E:text=Any%20cell%20phone%20at%20or,(1.6%20W%2Fkg).
[9] De Groote, P., Blot, K., Conoscenti, E., Labeau, S., & Blot, S. (2022). Mobile phones as a vector for Healthcare-Associated Infection: A systematic review. In Intensive and Critical Care Nursing (p. 103266). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2022.103266
[10] Pareek, V. K., Mishra, S., Chauhan, D. S., & Tripathi, S. MOBILE PHONES OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS: A POTENT RESERVOIR OF BACTERIAL NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION.
“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water…Be water, my friend.” – Bruce Lee
It’s happened before, and it will happen again. You’ve dropped your phone only from a couple of feet high, the screen shatters, and now you’re upset because your precious mobile device is aesthetically unpleasing. You’ve also taken your phone to the bathroom for essential “me time” and scrolled endlessly on the throne, which is, quite frankly, disgusting.
Over the past several years, a new product has emerged, Crystalusion Liquid Glass, which is positioned to overtake the mobile device screen protection market and is an advanced solution that quickly solves both of these issues and allows the user peace of mind. Liquid Glass is an invisible product that can be rubbed onto any cell phone, tablet, or laptop. It’s a nano-liquid, or essentially microscopic particles of glass suspended in a liquid solution that, when dry, enhances the molecular chemistry of the device screen so it can better withstand cracks and breaks. Crystalusion Liquid Glass contains many benefits over the traditional screen protectors and other liquid glass products that are out there and once applied, protects for up to 12 months, which makes it the best choice when looking to protect your mobile device, yourself, laptops, sunglasses, scopes, and more.
How Liquid Glass Fills the Gaps & Strengthens Your Device
Many mobile device manufacturers create their phones with tempered glass or ceramic shields. And hats off to their teams for figuring out how to formulate an optically clear yet tough layer.
For those who don’t know, tempered glass is manufactured through a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling [ergo, the name “tempered”], making it harder than traditional glass. Ceramic shields, on the other hand, are not glass. They are an integrated layer of nano-ceramic crystals cooked onto the front of the mobile device.
When both types of screens are viewed under a microscope, you’ll see plenty of holes and openings. These pores make the screens vulnerable to cracks, scratches, and worse…shatters when you drop your phone.
Phone Glass Under Microscope
SiO2, What Is It?
Silicon [Si] is a nonmetallic chemical element in the carbon family. It makes up 22.7% of the Earth’s crust and has been associated with hardness since the 1700s. Combining Si with O2 [oxygen] will present silicon dioxide, also known as Quartz. Quartz is colorless and transparent, which are some of the primary reasons it’s used in glass manufacturing. Crystalusion Liquid Glass uses the strength and resilience of silicon dioxide to add an extra layer of protection to your device.
Crystalusion found a way to suspend these Quartz crystals in a nano-liquid [also called a nano-coating]. When applied, quantum forces draw the liquid glass molecules to the substrate layer of your screen, allowing them to bond at a molecular level where it seeps into the nooks and crannies of those pores in your device’s screen. Quite literally, filling in the gaps of your screen making it 600% harder for up to 12 months. Because this solution is technically a liquid, it is agnostic in its application. It can form on any smartphone, tablet, touchscreen, scope, any device that utilizes glass. It’s a single solution for all your gadgets.
But how does a liquid stay on your phone for extended periods, say 12 months?
Intermolecular Bonding – Van der Waals Forces
Since we’re discussing things at the nano-level, let’s talk about one of the primary ways this liquid glass protects your screen for long durations without glues or resins.
Van der Waals forces were discovered by Dutch physicist Johannes Diderik van der Waals and they describe a distance-dependent interaction between atoms or molecules observed in condensed phases like liquid and solid. These forces are different from covalent bonds and ionic chemical bonds because they fluctuate in the charge density of particles. Dipoles [two poles] are created when electron density fluctuates and becomes “lop-sided” on one side of the molecule or atom.
As a result of this fluctuation, the molecules or atoms then become polarized either “positive” at one end and negative at the other [the word positive is in quotations because Van der Waals forces generally act in ‘negative & more negative’]. Much like opposing magnetic poles attract, these polarized molecules are attracted to one another and give rise to electrostatic forces. The strength of the attraction between the two polarized molecules is dependent upon the distance between them, so the closer the better.
Check out this video for a deeper understanding of Van der Waals forces and a visual:
Today’s mobile device users are more health-conscious than ever before and concerned about germs in their everyday lives, from grocery carts to handrails, mobile devices, and more. Hand sanitizers, disposable face masks, and wipes are offered in abundance to help stifle cross-contamination in public spaces.
The percentage of mobile devices grow exponentially every year and are becoming even more prominent in healthcare and schools. New research highlights the risk of their presence in these environments. Combined with the personal devices being brought to work and used or Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs that are becoming more widespread in schools, questions are being raised about the amount of dirt and germs attributing to health issues and absentees and what is being brought home.
Long story short, our devices are filthy! For example, research shows roughly 25,000 germs survive per square inch on your phone at a given time. Depending on what type of environment your device enters and exits determines the cleanliness of said device. Crystalusion and Safety Net recognize a demand for antimicrobial protection on mobile devices, which is why our Crystalusion Liquid Glass is so important.
Crystalusion Liquid Glass was designed with mobile devices and, most importantly, the user in mind. Crystalusion went beyond just glass protection to add an additional “antimicrobial protection” level into the nano-liquid. It allows everyone to enshrine their mobile devices with this semi-permanent nano-scale layer of protection, which in turn helps reduce cross-contamination from mobile device-to-human transmission pathways. Antimicrobial testing data on this product proves a 99.9% reduction in levels of organisms when tested with E. coli, Salmonella, and SARS-CoV-2.
EMF Protection
Over the past 25 years, modern electronics and wireless technologies have exploded, being used by over 6.6 billion people worldwide (83.72% of the population). Our mobile phones communicate by transmitting radio waves from one cell tower to the next and they generally transmit these frequencies in a range of 400-2700MHZ.
One unfortunate side effect of the smartphone era and mass adoption of mobile devices has been the increase in the EMF radiation emitted from these devices. EMF radiation is potentially harmful electromagnetic energy created by the mechanisms of cell phones and wireless devices. It has been the topic of numerous controversies because it has the potential to cause certain types of cancer or other health problems.
Crystalusion Liquid Glass, unlike any other liquid glass product, has considered microbes, EMF radiation, screen pores, and a slew of other vulnerabilities that modern screen protectors fail to identify. The nano-scale liquid coating seals the phone, preventing it from putting out potentially harmful radiation. Radiation testing conducted on Crystalusion Liquid Glass has proven an EMF radiation emission reduction of 80-90%. What a wonderful thing!
Best in Class Warranty
But beyond all the numerous health benefits for both you and your device, you are covered if you were to have a catastrophe and break your screen. Most “reputable” liquid glass products offer a warranty if your mobile device screen breaks. With these other products, their warranties can vary in how much they cover, and the cost of their product also varies based on the level of warranty desired. With other products, users must go out of pocket for the repair and then submit for reimbursement.
Crystalusion Liquid Glass, on the other hand, offers an “Unlimited” screen replacement warranty for one low price well below the MSRP of any other competitive product, with local, same-day device repair where users have no out-of-pocket costs.
Endless Applications + Numerous Benefits
Bruce Lee said it best. Crystalusion Liquid Glass is a liquid that allows it to form on any glass object or surface with uniformity. Crystalusion is much more advanced than traditional and occasionally bulky screen protectors. You can apply Crystalusion to anything with glass, and the benefits remain. We’ve consolidated the 6 major benefits of this liquid glass below:
600% Harder – Diamond Tested
Crystalusion Liquid Glass Protection is laboratory tested to ASTM C1624-05 Qualitative Single Point Scratch Testing using a 0.2mm tip radius Rockwell diamond and is laboratory certified to withstand up to 56N before showing visible signs of scratching – that’s 600% more resistant than a traditional screen protector!
Device Agnostic
Crystalusion Liquid Glass Protection is 100% device agnostic owing to its unique application process. Being applied as a liquid, Crystalusion can be used on any smartphone, tablet, or touchscreen, and although it is applied as a liquid, the fluid is harmless to electronic devices. It cannot cause any manufacturer or warranty issues.
100% Invisible
Crystalusion Liquid Glass Protection will not affect any device’s viewing clarity or aesthetic look. Because the Crystalusion layer is formed at the nano-scale, it is entirely invisible to the naked eye. Because it is 100% light porous, it will not affect screen resolution or color clarity.
90% Reduction in EMF Radiation
With so much concern about 5G and EMF radiation these days, the bond that Crystalusion Liquid Glass creates eliminates 90% of the EMF waves generated to and from your mobile device.
Anti-Bacteria
Crystalusion – Liquid Glass Protection is Antimicrobial and generates an invisible hygienic surface that helps to repel germs and viruses for up to 12 months. This means bacteria cannot live on the protective layer – helping to keep your device germ free. ASTM E2180 antimicrobial tests proved a 99.9% reduction in levels of organisms when tested with Salmonella, aureus and E. coli and Sars Cov-2.
Unlimited Screen Replacement Warranty
No matter what happens with your screen, Crystalusion’s unlimited screen replacement warranty has you covered. Crystalusion provides a quick, fast and comprehensive warranty service with local, same day repair with no deductible and no out of pocket costs. No matter the device or the cost of the screen repair, you are covered!
Be Water, My Friend
You can now see why Crystalusion Liquid Glass is top of the line in its respective field at the end of all this. Indeed, in a league of its own.
As science advances, our understanding of quantum mechanics solidifies. As nano-technology becomes a staple in the manufacturing of numerous products, we will look at CrystalusionLiquid Glass as the basis of better tech to come.
Protect yourself and your device, and let others know that Safety Net and Crystalusion Liquid Glass fill the gaps where it’s needed most.
About the Author
Robert Hasselfeld is an entrepreneur, consultant, and freelance writer for Safety Net.
The EPA Crackdown on Misleading Claims – A Storm is on the Horizon
Pause. Take a deep breath. Congratulations, you have just inhaled a ton of microorganisms! On average, we humans inhale around a million microorganisms per day[1]. The rates we consume vary upon numerous factors such as humidity, air circulation, day vs. night, amongst other factors. So, when we think about the wide frame of view of air purification, how are we supposed to know what to target?
Microorganisms are, for the most part, good for us. However, the bad ones that travel in the air must be at the forefront of our attention. UV-C disinfection for surfaces and objects is highly applicable and effective, but how can we utilize the strength of UV-C to help us control our indoor air quality?
UV-C for Air Purification
Reflecting back on how UV Light Kills Bacteria, how does UV-C air purification actually work when we know about the Bunsen-Roscoe Law and Newton’s Inverse Square Law? This next section will make your head spin a bit but don’t be alarmed. Let’s take a look various applications of UV-C in the realm of air purification starting with the least effective use; wall mounts & lamps.
If you observe your surroundings, you’ll see these UV-C mounts everywhere. In restaurants, office spaces, and some in hospitals…gasp! The reason for concern is due to the fact that these technologies are minimally effective in large areas and restricted to the limitations of the Laws above. For a quick refresher;
1.) Bunsen-Roscoe Law: the effect of UV-C light on a biological system is directly related to the total energy delivered, regardless of its administration.
2.) Newton’s Inverse Square Law: if you double the distance between subject and light source, it illuminates a surface area four times greater than before. A larger surface area will lead to a light intensity that is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.
A UV-C air purifying mount can only effectively disinfect the air immediately around it. The air in the further reaches of the room will not be touched by the lethal wavelength and necessary concentration of UV-C, meaning no disinfection is taking place. That being said, a great place to use a UV-C mount would be in travel spaces like buses or train cabins where the area of desired purification would be much smaller. And even then, these devices do not guarantee the air is purified.
A not-so-distant cousin of UV-C mounts are UV-C lamps. Another minimally effective application of UV-C in air purification. We run into the same limitations as the wall mount. In addition to their outputs and desired areas of disinfection, neither of these devices provide circulation so they are simply just for show. Circulation is a detrimental factor when identifying the best air purification devices. That being said, these two tools can provide sufficient targeted disinfection on surfaces and objects.
Photohydroionazation
The best use-cases of UV-C in air purification are the ones that can be installed into existing HVAC systems, are at the intersection of clean and dirty air, and can replace pesky HEPA filters.
For example, our Light Commercial PHI Unit can mount into the top of the air return ducts where dirty air filters up and becomes directly exposed to UV-C light. Additionally, the microbes are exposed to Advanced Oxidation Processes consisting of Hydro-peroxides, ozonide ions, superoxide ions, and hydroxide ions [all friendly oxidizers]. This means that they revert back to oxygen and hydrogen after the oxidation of the pollutant, giving us fresh air on the way out. A simple, yet elegant process.
Photon Multiplication – Declassified
The Pentagon
Photon Multiplication is an older technology but you wouldn’t know that since it is just now being “declassified” and commercialized. The reason you’ve never heard of it through any mainstream channels, until now, is because it is a proprietary air sterilization technology which was funded by DARPA and integrated into The Pentagon as part of the Immune Building Program post-9/11.
This technology resides in a system called the AUVS BP 3131, the latest addition to Safety Net’s air purification portfolio. The 3131 embeds itself into air systems easily and creates a new, highly dangerous, intersection for airborne bacteria and pathogens to travel through.
What’s different about this technology, also one of the biggest proponents of its success, is that it accomplishes disinfection of rapidly moving air using a highly reflective chamber to contain and multiply the flux from high power UV lamps. The highly reflective surfaces inside of the chamber allow for UV-C irradiation to occur in seconds, achieving sterilization where other in-duct UV-C air units fall way short. This product has been tested to the highest degree imaginable and the kill times speak for themselves. Take a peek at the charts below and see that the proof is in the pudding. Keep in mind these results are achieved in 1 second. We’ll be doing a deep-dive piece on this incredible technology in the up & coming weeks.
BP 3131 Disinfection
BP 3131 Disinfection
The Crackdown on UV Air Purification Claims
What constitutes a misleading claim? For nearly two years now, we have seen fraudulent air purification products hit all markets, and only now is the US Environmental Protection Agency cracking down on misleading claims. Better late than never, right? According to an article from UV Solutions,
“The EPA is generally focused on the following types of claims:
-Unqualified or generic claims about a purifier or filter’s ability to kill, capture, or otherwise eradicate “germs,” “viruses,” “bacteria,” “mold,” or “fungus” without specifying the species of microorganism on which the product has been tested or other supporting data.
-Claims that UV lights are “germicidal lights” and are “effective against most viruses, spores, and cysts,” unless the claims are qualified on labeling and supported by efficacy testing.
-Claims fail to distinguish whether efficacy testing was performed on a virus or a virus surrogate.
-Discrepancies between labels and labeling, especially between statements included in product containers and information on company websites.
-Claims that a given product or device is more effective than competing brands, without specifying the brands in question.
By focusing on such claims, the EPA is signaling that the industry must be prepared to support, with hard data, all product efficacy claims regarding regulated pesticide devices. Although the EPA is not describing its current mandate as a new policy, it present stance is not entirely aligned with its past regulatory posture, and certain apparent tensions stand to impose considerable burdens on the regulated industry.”
EPA logo
This crackdown is a good thing! The scientific method demands for hypotheses and products alike to be tested to the limit in-house, through third-party labs, and then tested again with the same results. Peer reviewed literature can play a drastic role in the credibility of science behind each product, providing consumers with the best.
Let’s look at some examples:
LED UV Sterilization Lamp
There is a lot to unpack from the picture above. First and foremost there is zero efficacy data on the page yet this device is claiming sterilization against COVID-19. That’s pretty specific yet there is no way to check these claims. We have no supplemental literature on the product, nor do we have any safety data sheets(SDS). Additionally, sterilization is the incorrect terminology for a device with this kind of power output. A picture speaks a thousand words, but this one only speaks three, “do not buy.”
Germicidal Light Ultraviolet Sterilizer Lamp
Marketing Claims
In the two pictures above let’s take note of the term “sterilization.” This term cannot be thrown around willy nilly. Sterilization is achieving a microbial kill of 99.9999% or greater. For a quick rundown on what logarithmic values are in the realm of disinfection review the following:
Log-Reduction Graph
A 1-log kill reduces the colony to 100,000 MRSA bacteria after a 90% reduction;
A 2-log kill reduces the colony to 10,000 bacteria after a 99% reduction;
A 3-log kill reduces the colony to 1,000 bacteria after a 99.9% reduction;
A 4-log kill reduces the colony to 100 bacteria after a 99.99% reduction;
A 5-log kill reduces the colony to 10 bacteria after a 99.999% reduction;
A 6-log kill reduces the colony to 1 MRSA bacterium after a 99.9999% reduction.
As you can see, a 6-Log kill is the highest listed, anything beyond this point is considered “sterilized” or “sporicidal” and is borderline splitting hairs. Yet, to achieve this level of disinfection with UV-C for air purification, you need to be aligned with the two Laws above [no shortcuts permitted] and the disinfection methodology needs to be scrupulously tested against a wide-range of viruses and bacteria. Data needs to then be presented in a clear-cut manner, avoiding clickbait titles like “COVID-Kill.”
Consult Before Commitment
After two articles dedicated to the realm of ultraviolet disinfection, the takeaway needs to be that the devil is in the details. We’ve explored the science of UV disinfection and taken a trip down UV air purification lane, we’ve got a firm grasp on where the EPA is focusing their enforcement, and we now know what to look for when browsing these products. So let’s step out of the darkness of confusion and into the ultraviolet light with a newfound understanding of how this gift from our sun can be utilized to protect us.
Like financial advising, it is best to consult with people who have been in the industry and understand the nitty-gritty details. Safety Net consults for FREE! Yes, you read that right. Before bidding on products or purchasing, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and ask questions. We can provide relevant data or lack thereof and include counter-recommendations with scientific support to back these recommendations. It’s time for the experts to have their day in the sun, and for those capitalizing on the “gold rush” of infection control, there’s a storm on the horizon.
About the Author
Robert Hasselfeld is SEO manager for Safety Net.
[1] Gusareva, E. S., Acerbi, E., Lau, K. J. X., Luhung, I., Premkrishnan, B. N. V., Kolundžija, S., Purbojati, R. W., Wong, A., Houghton, J. N. I., Miller, D., Gaultier, N. E., Heinle, C. E., Clare, M. E., Vettath, V. K., Kee, C., Lim, S. B. Y., Chénard, C., Phung, W. J., Kushwaha, K. K., … Schuster, S. C. (2019). Microbial communities in the tropical air ecosystem follow a precise diel cycle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 46, 23299–23308. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1908493116
