by Brianna Crandall — August 24, 2020 — When Boston-based infection prevention technology provider EarthSafe first introduced the EvaClean Infection Prevention System in 2016, electrostatic sprayers and hypochlorous acid (HoCl)-based chemistries were virtually unheard of in the cleaning industry, according to the company. The company spent several years educating about the many benefits of faster, more complete application of safe and effective disinfectants, while also advocating for the establishment of guidelines for responsible use of these disruptive technologies.
By 2019, the EvaClean system had already been adopted by some of the most prominent healthcare institutions, senior living communities and school districts in the country, and the company was well on the way to becoming one of the leading authorities on healthier disinfection.
Past successes positioned Evaclean on the leading edge for addressing the COVID-19 crisis as a credible and vetted infection prevention system. The high demand for Evaclean’s front-line defense solutions created a need for rapid expansion in supply chain capacity and resources to ensure safe, effective and sustainable implementation across every industry in a post COVID-19 world. In recent months, building upon the tremendous growth and wider recognition, EarthSafe has made significant enhancements to its key leadership team and formed an Innovation Department to guide future technology.
EvaClean technology
The EvaClean Infection Prevention System consists of Protexus electrostatic backpack sprayers and PurTabs hospital-grade disinfectant. The EvaClean sprayers electrostatically charge the PurTabs chemical, which reportedly wraps around and clings to target surface areas like a magnet.
EvaClean consists of Protexus electrostatic backpack sprayers and PurTabs hospital-grade disinfectant. The sprayers electrostatically charge the PurTabs chemical, which clings to target surface areas like a magnet. Image courtesy EarthSafe
According to EarthSafe, the touchless electrostatic technology adds efficacy to the disinfection process because the positively charged solution wraps around and adheres to everything, even hidden spaces, providing three times more coverage in the same time it would take using traditional cleaning methods.
PurTabs is said to be so safe it can be used for water treatment, and it is dilutable to different strengths for cleaning or disinfection. Yet it is also highly effective and registered as a COVID-killing chemical on EPA’s List N.
EarthSafe explains that the sprayer is not a mister or a fogger. The electrostatic charge of the sprayer allows the droplets to attract to the surface rather than float in the air, as is typically associated with a mister or fogger. Misters and foggers can be associated with worker exposure and respirable concerns. EarthSafe has conducted OSHA and NIOSH third-party testing ensuring that there are no safety concerns for acute or long-term worker exposure.
Organizations using EvaClean to fight COVID-19
Despite backorders caused by high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous public and private organizations and venues have selected EarthSafe’s EvaClean Infection Prevention System in recent months to keep occupants, visitors, workers, riders and students safe. Among them are the following groups.
- Denver Regional Transportation District is using EvaClean electrostatic sprayer technologies and safer disinfectant to sanitize vehicles and protect customers and crew during the pandemic. The EvaClean electrostatic backpack sprayers were distributed among RTD’s light rail operations, bus operations, and facilities division. Following training on how to properly use the system, maintenance teams will be sanitizing all 84 light rail cars, in addition to every bus, each day. What used to take roughly 20 minutes to do by hand wiping each vehicle is now expected to be done in about five minutes, allowing workers the time to do more thorough cleaning in other areas.
- The Cape Ann Transportation Authority in Massachusetts is going the extra mile to control coronavirus with EarthSafe’s electrostatic disinfection system. To ensure a healthy and safe future for its drivers and riders, CATA company cleaners are adding an extra step to their already thorough cleaning process. Before each bus is driven, every surface will be thoroughly wiped down, then sprayed with a final disinfectant. CATA believes the added step will make all the difference in keeping everyone safe and to keep buses moving on schedule.
- Carnegie Mellon University’s Facilities Management and Campus Services (FMCS) is leading a massive cleaning effort on campus to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In April, 170 custodians began deep cleaning and disinfection of every room on campus. This fall, FMCS will use EarthSafe and other technology for frequent cleaning and disinfecting, particularly of high-touch surfaces, and will provide hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, disinfectant wipes and disposable gloves to individual departments to clean equipment.
- Malibu Beach Inn by the Pacific Ocean was recently recognized by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, with a Certificate of Accreditation, the GBAC STAR, for its exemplary infection prevention efforts. The Inn selected the EvaClean disinfectant tool to use in every guest room every day as well as public areas and high-touch areas such as door handles, handrails and elevator lifts, and provides hand-sanitizing stations throughout the property and requires the use of masks by staff and guests.
For more information on the EvaClean system, visit the EarthSafe website.
