Physical Defenses
Why Physical Defenses?
Physical defenses provide an immediate means of reducing transmission, even in the absence of specific medical treatments such as vaccines. This is particularly important when dealing with novel pathogens, as the development and distribution of effective medical interventions can take significant time. By providing physical defenses to healthcare workers, first responders, and other key personnel, we can ensure the continuity of vital functions and prevent the collapse of healthcare systems as vaccines are in development.
Far-UVC: A Promising Technology for Suppressing Pathogen Transmission
Far-UVC, defined as low-wavelength electromagnetic radiation in the 200-230nm range, has emerged as a promising technology for reducing pathogen transmission in indoor environments. Wall- and ceiling-mounted far-UVC emitters can rapidly inactivate bacteria and viruses in the air and on surfaces, without posing significant health risks to human occupants or requiring distribution to all individuals. SecureBio has been at the forefront of efforts to further develop this technology, leading the development of a coordinated safety review and research plan in 2022.
Pandemic-Proof PPE: Safeguarding Essential Workers and Critical Infrastructure
Pandemic-proof personal protective equipment (pandemic-proof PPE) reliably shields users against highly infectious agents without requiring fit-testing, protecting essential workers who must maintain critical infrastructure during pandemics. SecureBio has worked to identify key steps in ensuring the availability and accessibility of pandemic-proof PPE, including mapping critical infrastructure and essential workers, identifying cost-reduction strategies, advocating for public funds to build and maintain stockpiles, and exploring market mechanisms to support government efforts in stockpiling pandemic-proof PPE.
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Pandemic Proof PPE
Sunil, Esvelt (2024) -
Essential Workers Need Essential Protection
Esvelt, Mueller, Sunil (2024)– The Latecomer -
Assessing the safety of new germicidal far-UVC technologies
Görlitz et al. (2023)– Photochemistry & Photobiology 00: 1-20 -
The Masks We’ll Wear in the Next Pandemic
Stern (2022)– The Atlantic -
Far UV-C radiation: An emerging tool for pandemic control
Blatchley et al. (2022)– Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 53 : 733-753 -
We Have the Technology to Stop Superspreading Without Masks
Milton K, Nardell E, Michaels D (2022)– New York Times