Analytik Jena US in the Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic
Business develops application for disinfection of N95 masks
UPLAND, CA —Monday, March 30, 2020 — Life science product provider Analytik Jena today announced a new application allowing safe reuse of respirator masks in a time of where a lack of supply is detrimental to the health care professionals fighting the coronavirus pandemic. The UVP Crosslinker, a shortwave ultraviolet device, can be used for the disinfection of N95 masks.
The Application Note, “Ultraviolet-based Disinfection for the Inactivation of Viruses on Respirator Masks,” was created in a direct response to the shortage of N95 respirator masks. Several private sector companies have committed to making surgical masks to protect health care workers but have not communicated how they will meet the rigorous NIOSH particle filtration standards, if address them at all. While some of these efforts are well-intentioned a more desirable approach is the irradiation and reuse of existing N95 masks.
In an interview, Michael Diaz, application scientist of Analytik Jena US, said, “Until recently, a hospital approved UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) protocol for masks was not available. We hope that health workers do not routinely resort to reusing masks, but if they do, then they can be rest assured that integrating our UVP Crosslinker into a hospital approved UVGI workflow, will generate reproducible results that are scalable, and safe for the end user.”
Monde Qhobosheane, president & CEO of Analytik Jena US, has previously released a statement to their partners, customers, and suppliers, “As we all continue to monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely, we wanted to reach out and share the actions Analytik Jena US is taking to ensure your safety and what we are doing to address your business concerns. We are implementing steps globally to both protect our employees and support our business continuity.” The full statement can be viewed here.
Analytik Jena is a provider of high-end analytical measuring technology, of instruments and products in the fields of biotechnology and molecular diagnostics, as well as of high quality liquid handling and automation technologies. In addition to the application note, Analytik Jena offers a complete workflow from sampling until the final detection of the virus which is only suitable for research purposes. Detailed information for sampling, extraction and detection of the novel SARS-CoV-2 disease can be found here.