STERIPLEX Ultra kills anthrax spores in 30 minutes.
Fort Worth, Texas–based 1 Priority Biocidal recently unveiled its BioSpray Power Packs delivery solution for Orem, Utah–based sBioMed’s STERIPLEX Ultra, which is used to kill anthrax spores in 30 minutes. STERIPLEX is a non-corrosive, non-fuming and non-toxic silver-based solution delivered via the company’s BioSpray CO2 nitrogen-driven delivery system, which can cover 1 square foot in three seconds. It is used by trained individuals to decontaminate buildings, structures, vehicles, personal protective equipment and other items infected with anthrax spores, said Dan Galloway, 1 Priority Biocidal’s CEO.
STERIPLEX Ultra is only one of two products registered by the EPA for use as an anthrax countermeasure; Peridox’s Electrostatic Decontamination System was registered in 2009. In fact, first responders must stop using bleach, foam and other substances that were used for remediation after the 2001 anthrax attacks because they no longer are in compliance with EPA regulations, Galloway said.
“Fire chiefs need to know that the EPA has made bleach and foams for anthrax remediation unlawful to use, creating unintentional liabilities for first responders and departments who use those substances,” he said.
Galloway said the STERIPLEX is the only anthrax clean-up product with a proprietary wetting agent that “acts as an insulator for the immediate isolation and containment of the anthrax spores,” he said. “Another big deal with anthrax is secondary aerosolization, and our product’s proprietary wetting agent ensures that doesn’t happen.”
One department using STERIPLEX is Dallas Fire-Rescue. The department’s hazmat function is sponsored by the Dallas Water Utility Storm Water Division, and with that funding comes a list of do’s and don’ts for environmentally correct products, including avoiding the use of chlorine dioxide, which Padgett said was too corrosive.
“We couldn’t use it on personnel and equipment,” Capt. Ted Padgett said. “When we did, we lost connections and cabling [on equipment] because of the chlorine.”
After Padgett heard about the EPA’s ban on bleach and foam, he began looking for other options. He worked with hazmat professionals in the department, completed due diligence about current laws and then approached 1 Priority Biocidal with a request to review a sample.
“We like the product because it’s effective against anthrax, and it is non-corrosive,” he said. “We needed something that was non-fuming and non-toxic to the skin and was easy for firefighter-paramedics to use.”
STERIPLEX’s shelf-life is two years, Galloway said.
The decontaminant and delivery system starts at $3,750, Galloway said. However, grants are available from the Department of Homeland Security that let local governments purchase solutions and train under the new EPA rules. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services recently announced a $352 million Hospital Preparedness Program grants to improve disaster preparedness of hospitals and healthcare systems within every state.
“Compliance is possible with or without grants,” Galloway added.
