| San
Antonio, Texas, June 9, 2003 /PRNewswire/ – EnviroSystems,
Inc., a leader in bio protection and disease reducing
technologies, today announced that its next-generation
hospital-grade disinfectant EcoTru®, has been demonstrated
to inactivate human coronavirus, the simulant of Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The announcement follows an earlier one in February
2003 when EnviroSystems reported that EcoTru® inactivates
the Norwalk virus surrogate (FCV). The testing was conducted
at internationally recognized independent laboratories.
“This is an important milestone in disease reduction,”
said Diana Hoffman, EnviroSystems’ president and
CEO. “Not only has EcoTru® been demonstrated
to be effective against coronavirus, it is the only
environmentally safe cleaner/disinfectant on the market
that offers effective protection against Norwalk-like
gastroenteritis, SARS and a broad base of other viruses,
yet can be routinely used without adverse effects to
people, animals, surface materials or the environment.”
The World
Health Organization (WHO) also recommended the active
ingredient that has been uniquely embedded in EcoTru®’s
proprietary nanoemulsion. In a May 23, 2003 bulletin,
WHO said, “SARS is now a world-wide health threat.
In view of this…the cabin or quarters occupied
by a SARS patient should be disinfected with sodium
hypochlorite bleach and formalin 1 or chloro meta xylenol.”
Of the three chemical ingredients specified by WHO,
EcoTru®’s exclusive technology is able to
deliver chloro meta xylenol at an extremely low concentration,
creating a powerful hospital grade disinfectant that
is non-hazardous and environmentally safe.
According to Reuters, the economic impact of SARS could
be significant as the travel and tourism sectors continue
to suffer crippling blows. The World Bank cited the
deadly virus as one factor behind a cut in its East
Asia growth forecast. "The economic impact of this
epidemic depends largely on how promptly and effectively
the virus can be brought under control," added
the Paris-based think tank OECD.
“Globalization and air travel have interconnected
people as never before. SARS is a dramatic example of
the speed at which an emerging infectious disease can
spread both illness and economic devastation,”
said Larry Weiss, M.D., EnviroSystems’ Senior
Scientist. “It appears likely that without significant
improvements in personal and public hygiene, the effects
of SARS and other emerging infectious diseases will
continue to be felt far beyond the regions and industries
most immediately hit, potentially damaging the global
economy for years to come.”
SARS has no known cure at present and has been carried
to more than 20 countries by air travelers. It may be
spread directly by inhaling the microscopic, airborne
droplets left in the air by a SARS patient. Alternatively,
the virus can survive up to several hours outside the
body and touching an object that has become contaminated
when coughed on, sneezed on, or touched by a SARS patient
may spread infection. This can include doorknobs, telephones,
computer keyboards, escalator handrails, push button
panels in elevators, airline tray tables, arm rests,
overhead bins, and a multitude of restroom fixtures.
Frequent hand washing and disinfecting surfaces that
are frequently touched is essential to avoid spreading
SARS.
“Our customers – from commercial airlines
to resort and cruise ship operators to the healthcare
industry – are clear about their needs: they want
highly effective, cost efficient, broad based, infection
control products that are easy to use and without adverse
effects to people, materials and the environment,”
said Dr. Weiss.
“Long overdue improvements to our public health
system and attention to personal and public hygiene
are essential to our survival,” he said. “The
old strategy of disinfecting environmental surfaces
with toxic and environmentally hazardous chemicals is
dangerously outdated."
The Boeing Company recently tested EcoTru® 1453,
the aviation-specific formulation, and certified that
it passed the company’s stringent testing criteria
for a non-corrosive cleaner/disinfectant that can be
safely used on commercial aircraft. The product has
just been added to Boeing’s Qualified Products
List (QPL).
On April 14, 2003 the New York Times reported, “The
interest in cabin cleanliness prompted by SARS led Boeing
to recommend a disinfectant product to its customers
for the first time. The disinfectant, called EcoTru®,
does not corrode metal or plastic surfaces, and it is
safe to breathe, unlike some other products.”
“Boeing also chose the product because it had
been used to disinfect cruise ships earlier this year
during an outbreak of the Norwalk virus,” the
Times continued.
As reported in USA Today on May 5, 2003, “EcoTru®,
a disinfectant recently recommended for airplane use
by Boeing, has attracted 30 airlines as customers for
EnviroSystems since the SARS scare began.”
Singapore’s Straits Times made this reference
to EcoTru® as Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong was about
to board a Singapore Airlines flight: “Mr. Goh
said that Singapore Airlines had assured him that the
plane was 'thoroughly scrubbed' with the disinfectant
EcoTru®."
The EcoTru® product line has repeatedly been demonstrated
by independent laboratories to reduce the spread of
a broad range of infectious diseases, including E. coli,
salmonella, listeria, staph, strep, pseudomonas, MRSA,
VRE, Norwalk-like virus (FCV), Influenza A, Hepatitis
B and C, vaccina (smallpox surrogate) and a broad range
of other fungi and viruses, as well as TB and resistant
bacteria. EcoTru® is the only safe and non-corrosive
alternative to reduce the spread of the Norwalk like
virus that has plagued the military, cruise lines, nursing
homes and dormitories.
EnviroSystems will be demonstrating the EcoTru®
product line at Booth #421 at the 30th Annual International
Meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection
Control and Epidemiology (APIC) at the Henry B. Gonzalez
Convention Center in downtown San Antonio, Texas, June
8-12, 2003.
The company’s expertise in the emerging sciences
of nanoemulsion technology and membrane biophysics positions
EnviroSystems at the forefront of the disease prevention
industry at a time when there is rapidly growing awareness
of the critical need to eradicate biological risks while
protecting people and the environment.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking statements"
as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. No forward-looking statement can
be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially
from those projected. We undertake no obligation to
publicly update any forward-looking statements and such
statements should be evaluated together with the many
uncertainties that affect our business.
Contacts:
Brent Nixon
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
EnviroSystems, Inc.
Tel: 408-501-0890
Email: bnixon@envirosi.com
Richard Wood
Managing Partner
Sand Hill Partners (Agency for EnviroSystems)
Tel: 650-631-0123
Email: partners@sandhillroad.com
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