The PathO₃Gen Solutions
UVZone® Shoe Sanitizer
Innovative multi-patented shoe sanitizer delivering the combined power of UV-C + Ozone utilizing Corning® HPFS® Fused Silica glass and is proven to eliminate up to 99.9993% of the harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live on your shoes.
Biosafety is imperative across a range of industries including Healthcare, Livestock Production, Food Processing, Laboratories, Biotech, Pharmaceutical Laboratories, and other industries where clean, sanitized spaces are imperative for mitigating risk.
Government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) develop infection prevention and control (ICP) protocols for hospitals, animal processing, food and beverage manufacturers, and labs to mitigate the spread of disease-causing viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Within the meat, poultry, and dairy industries, dangerous disease-causing pathogenic outbreaks can cause entire herds and flocks to be destroyed.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the CDC recommended that people in COVID-concentrated areas disinfect their shoes. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, food processing plants, and other high foot traffic facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe added UVZone® to their COVID-19 safety protocols. An independent study showed that zero coronavirus residue remained on shoes after stepping on the device for 8 seconds.
UVZone Shoe Sanitizers allow facilities such as animal processors and healthcare facilities to bolster the effects of personal protective equipment (PPE), handwashing, and other procedures with effective shoe sole sanitization. The multi-patented UV-C + Ozone Shoe Sanitizer has been evaluated by several third-party labs, including NSF International, and is proven to reduce microorganisms on shoes by up to 99.9993% in 6 to 10 seconds.
How To Use UVZone Shoe Sanitizing Stations
UVZone Shoe Sanitizer technology is an easily integrated solution with handwashing, PPE, and other facility management operations. The user simply steps onto the unit and positions their shoe soles over the footprints, which activates the UV-C light and ozone to disinfect the shoes, and depending on the facility’s needs, the Shoe Sanitizer can be set to 6, 8, or 10 seconds for completion.
The Shoe Sanitizer is simple to maintain without any additional staff or products. Simply wipe down the unit after each shift or at the end of day. Bulbs need replacement annually for maintaining effectiveness.
The UVZone Shoe Sanitizer has multiple internationally protected patents for both the product and the technology, is NSF International tested and verified for efficacy, CE Marked, TÜV SÜD Certified, EPA Registered, meets OSHA Safety Standards and is manufactured in an ISO 9001-2015 facility in the United States.
How the UVZone Shoe Sanitizer Works
UVZone technology uses a multi-patented combination of UV-C light and ozone to break down microbial DNA and RNA, ceasing microorganisms from reproducing and transferring to other surfaces in mere seconds.
When placed at a facility’s entrance or at the perimeter of a critical space, the UVZone Shoe Sanitizers help prevent the proliferation of harmful microorganisms from shoes and floors to high-touch surfaces.
Unlike traditional chemical disinfectants, UVZone disinfection technology does not encourage antimicrobial resistance, has no caustic fumes, is not a slip or fall hazard, and does not require daily labor to use or maintain.
Benefits of UVZone Shoe Sanitizers:
✔ Third-Party Lab proven efficacy
✔ Industry-leading kill rates in 10 seconds or less
✔ Sanitizes any footwear including boots, shoes, and shoe covers
✔ No purchase, application, or disposal of chemicals required
✔ Stations can be set to 6, 8, or 10 seconds disinfection cycles
✔ Decrease overall bioburden, improving biosafety
✔ Plug-in standard electrical outlets
✔ Control of on-site traffic
UVZone® Shoe Sanitizer Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 24 inches wide, 24 inches long, 2 inches high (61 by 61 by 5 centimeters)
- Weight: 33 pounds (14.96 kilograms)
- Lamp life: 10,000 accumulated hours at 80% output
- AC power input: 120 to 240 volts, 50 to 60 hertz, 1.2 amps
- Electrical shock protection: Class I, Degree B
- Ingress of water protection: IPX1
- Weight Supported: Up to 400 pounds (181 kilograms)
Corning® HPFS® High Purity Fused Silica Technology
Corning and PathO3Gen Solutions began collaborating on the UVZone more than 5 years ago, focusing on mitigating the spread of MRSA, C. diff, E. coli, and other similar pathogens. Corning High Purity Fused Silica (HPFS) is manufactured at Corning’s facility in Canton, NY. The HPFS allows for transmission of the UV-C rays with virtually no attenuation which is essential for the footpad’s efficacy.
“Canton-made HPFS is better suited than mainstream synthetic quartz products based on the combination of high optical transmission and large format formed parts. It meets both optical and mechanical requirements of PathO3Gen Solutions’ innovation,” said Bob Quinn, director of marketing and intelligence for Corning Advanced Optics. “It’s always nice when the products we sell result in a net benefit for society,” he said. “We have lots of examples of that. It feels good that this application is consistent with our Values, too. We see this technology as something that’ll contribute to people’s well-being for a long time to come.”
According to Corning, the development and process of producing fused silica, chemical vapor deposition, began in the 1930s by Dr. Frank Hyde, when he determined that depositing thin layers of silica created compounds of extraordinary purity. The optical quality matters in applications where microscopic contaminants might cause unwanted bends or deflections of light. Chemical vapor deposition became essential to Corning’s development of telescope mirrors, spacecraft windows, and optical fiber.
Naturally Derived Disinfection
Regardless of industry, most standard sanitization protocols rely on the use of toxic chemicals, such as bleach. Chemicals are usually caustic & emit dangerous fumes, require dedicated staffing for continual reapplication, are a slip-and-fall hazard, and have a proven lesser efficacy.
The UVZone Shoe Sanitizers provide naturally derived sanitization using the powerful combination of UV-C light and ozone. UV-C is a proven method for disinfection used in a variety of applications for sanitizing air, water, and various surfaces.
UVZone technology pairs the disinfection abilities of UV-C with ozone, a reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms proven to eliminate bacteria, fungi, and viruses more effectively than chemicals such as bleach. The UVZone shoe sanitizing station produces ozone using UV-C light in a wavelength range of 160 to 240 nanometers, which splits oxygen (O2) into separate oxygen atoms. The disassociated oxygen atoms combine with other O2 to form ozone (O3). Ozone opens the capsid, or cell membrane, and the UV-C and ozone together denature the microbial DNA and RNA, making it unable to replicate.
Industries Served by UVZone Technology
Healthcare, agricultural processing plants, food manufacturers and biolabs all maintain a high-level of disinfection and sanitization practices that benefit from enhanced biosafety measures including adoption of UVZone Shoe Sanitizers by PathO3Gen Solutions.
Employing multifaceted biosafety protocols, such as the UVZone Shoe Sanitizer technology, helps prevent the spread of dangerous bacteria, fungi, and viruses throughout a multitude of industries, and protects both human and animal assets from dangerous disease-causing pathogens.
Healthcare
Healthcare facilities must provide sanitized environments where patients can be treated and recover from illnesses and injuries by mitigating risks of HAIs. Doctors, nurses, janitorial staff, food service, pharmacy, techs, and even volunteers, follow strict sanitation protocols for reducing the incidence of HAIs within hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, and long-term care facilities.
Protocols such as handwashing, sterilization of medical devices, environmental cleaning, and hazardous waste disposal are standard, however, most facilities overlook the risk of shoes and floors when addressing sanitization and disinfection.
Patients in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare facilities have a continual higher risk of acquiring an HAI, or healthcare-acquired infection, such as MRSA, C. diff, and E. coli. HAIs cost our healthcare system billions of dollars annually and countless lives each year.
Studies indicate that disease-causing pathogens on patient room floors can disseminate to high-touch surfaces throughout the room, adjacent patient rooms, and nursing stations. It is common for patients wearing non-stick socks to walk throughout their rooms and hallways to attend therapies and testing, only to return to their rooms and into their beds without changing socks.
High-touch surface areas are proven to be affected by pathogens on shoes and floors with medication carts, wheelchairs, portable medical equipment, and even the footwear of staff and visitors as potential sources of transmission of dangerous microorganisms.
Most healthcare facilities will benefit from incorporating UVZone Shoe Sanitizers into their ICP procedures including hospitals, surgical centers, compounding pharmacies, on-site labs, long-term care facilities, and even hospice care centers.
UVZone Shoe Sanitizers in Action in the Healthcare Industry
Healthcare facilities throughout the U.S. have incorporated UVZone Shoe Sanitizers in addressing the need for cleaner environments for patients, residents, visitors, and staff. Doctors, nurses, staff, patients, and visitors indicated improved confidence and peace of mind when the UVZone Shoe Sanitizers were integrated into their facilities. Staff members reported feeling secure when cleaning their shoes before leaving work and arriving home more comfortable bringing their shoes home without risking the health of their families.
Norton Audubon Hospital, an acute care hospital in Louisville, KY, integrated UVZone® Shoe Sanitizers at entrances, contributing to their impressive “all A’s” LeapFrog score.
AdventHealth Connerton, a long-term acute care center in Land O’ Lakes, FL, reported a 53% reduction in the rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in one year since integrating the UVZone shoe sanitizing technology into their existing infection control measures.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals incorporated UVZone Shoe Sanitizers to mitigate the spread of the SARS virus. Gaylord Speciality Healthcare in Wallingford, CT, integrated the UVZone Shoe Sanitizers at key points within patient areas, creating a “perimeter of safety” for staff as they entered and exited these highly contagious areas, mitigating the spread of the virus via shoe soles.
Food Protection: From Farm to Packaging
When it comes to our food, safety starts at the farm. Animal production and processing facilities require strict biosafety protocols in place to protect livestock, food products, workers, and consumers from harmful disease-causing pathogens. Salmonella, for example, can spread from feed to livestock to the consumer, however, researchers have identified that the spread of dangerous microorganisms, like salmonella, is directly correlated to human interaction within facilities, transportation, or distribution processes.
Integrating disinfection protocols including UVZone Shoe Sanitizers within production and processing operations can mitigate the spread of harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses; and can decrease the use of antibiotics, and boost animal productivity.
Average Cost of Single Food Recall in USD
Food Marketing Institute
Some examples of facilities that could benefit include:
- Livestock operations
- Animal feed mills
- Meat, egg, and dairy processing
- Food manufacturing facilities
- Food processing facilities
- Beverage manufacturing facilities
Sterile and Non-sterile Manufacturing
While non-sterile and sterile manufacturing processes and products may differ, an exceptionally clean environment is extremely important in both types of production facilities to control the risk of microbial cross-contamination of ingredients and final products.
- Biotech
- Pharmaceutical
- Optics
- Cosmetics
- Cannabis Processing
- Pharmaceutical Compounding
- Research Laboratories
The UVZone Shoe Sanitizer enhances biosafety and containment efforts critical to sterile and non-sterile manufacturing, research facilities, and laboratories.
Scientifically Proven Results
Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antifungal
UVZone® Shoe Sanitizers have undergone third-party testing from leading independent labs, including NSF International Laboratories, Microchem Laboratory, CREM Co. Labs, and the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
NSF International
NSF International proved the UVZone efficacy in eliminating the following at 6, 8, and 10 second settings:
- Candida auris
- Escherichia coli
- Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRE)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRO)
- Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Clostridioides difficile
- Enterococcus faecalis (VRE)
After 10 seconds, the most significant result was achieved with 99.9993% reduction of Candida auris, a yeast that threatens the health of patients, and when an outbreak occurs, costs healthcare facilities upwards of $60,000 per month to contain.
The NSF International study also proved a 99.9986% reduction, after 10 seconds, in Klebsiella pneumoniae, a bacteria that causes various infections, such as meningitis, pneumonia, and infections in the bloodstream and surgical sites, and a 99.9969% reduction in Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and endocarditis.
Microchem Laboratory
Microchem Laboratory tested the efficacy of UVZone technology against three disease-causing microorganisms. The UVZone Shoe Sanitizers efficacy was proven against:
- Cronobacter sakazaki
- Salmonella enterica
- Listeria monocytogenes
These pathogens can cause a variety of infections, including sepsis, meningitis, salmonellosis, and listeriosis.
CREM Co. Labs – Norovirus and Coronavirus
CREM Co. Labs, UVZone Shoe Sanitizer Stations effectively eliminated all Norovirus pathogen plaque forming units (PFUs) when tested using the 6, 8, and 10-second cycles.
Norovirus is highly contagious and infects people through a variety of ways including high-touch surfaces and is spread easily from one person to another and as such, high-traffic facilities are at risk for norovirus outbreaks. Integrating measures such as the UVZone Shoe Sanitizers to reduce spread via foot traffic on shoes and floors will mitigate this risk.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the CDC published a study showcasing the importance of shoes and floors in spreading the Coronavirus. CREM Co. Labs conducted a study on the UVZone efficacy of the Shoe Sanitizers against Human Coronavirus. UVZone left zero PFU after just 8 seconds.
University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory – PRRSv and PEDv
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Minnesota performed a study to assess the inactivation rate of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv) and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) on rubber soles and polyblend boot material by the UVZone Shoe Sanitizing Station.
On average, ≥99% of the PRRSv was inactivated on both rubber sole and polyblend boot material. In addition, an average of 98.55 % and ≥99% of PEDv was inactivated on rubber sole and polyblend material, respectively. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of UVZone Stations in inactivating two high economic impact diseases on boots and its potential use to enhance biosecurity practices in swine farms.
Improving Your Facility with UVZone Shoe Sanitizers
Protecting patients, animals, staff, visitors, and production output is crucial; adopting a multi-faceted, 360 approach to sanitization procedures is imperative, and addresses an often-overlooked vector of spread for harmful microorganisms: shoe soles and floors.
Facilities that have a high risk of exposure to dangerous microorganisms, require sanitized spaces, or include high-traffic areas, can benefit from integrating UVZone Shoe Sanitizers into their facility’s disinfection and sanitization protocols.
- Hospitals
- Assisted living
- Long-term care
- Rehabilitation/short-term care
- Surgery centers
- Health clinics
- Pharmacies
- Food manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical research labs
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Food processors
- Animal production
- Animal feed facilities
Why UVZone®?
UVZone Shoe Sanitizers offer advanced biosafety and help prevent the spread of disease-causing microorganisms. The sanitizer stations are convenient to use, require minimal maintenance, and are easily wiped down. They are a visible sign of safety for staff, workers, visitors, and patients.
In an employee survey, 97% of respondents agree that our Shoe Sanitizers are easy to use, and 90% feel safe from carrying harmful pathogens on their footwear.
Improving biosafety in your facility is easy. Schedule a demo today or call us at 727-300-1069 for more information. Experience the revolutionary, multi-patented, and proven power of UVZone® Shoe Sanitizers, and UV-C and ozone technology.
Industry-leading kill rates in just 6-10 seconds.
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