N95 Respirator features antimicrobial protection.
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Press Release Summary:
Designed for healthcare workers and other occupational users, A400 Series has look and feel of surgical mask for optimal breathability, comfort, and clear communication while delivering full protection of NIOSH-certified, N95 respirator. Latter filters out at least 95% of airborne particles that may contain viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Breathable face seal filters airborne particles from top, bottom, and sides of respirator.
Original Press Release:
Safe Life Introduces First Comfortable, Breathable N95 Respirator with Antimicrobial Protection
Scripps Health Purchases Respirator to Ensure Workplace Safety by Protecting Physicians, Nurses and Staff During H1N1 Flu Pandemic
SAN DIEGO, Calif., Nov. 9 -- Safe Life Corp., an innovative antimicrobial company dedicated to developing novel technologies that prevent the spread of infection and disease, announced today the availability of the Safe Life A400 Series N95 Respirator with Antimicrobial Protection. Unlike traditional N95 respirators, the A400 is a comfortable, breathable respirator with the added protection of an active antimicrobial based on iodine, which has a nearly 200-year track record for being effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.
As the H1N1 influenza virus continues to spread around the world, the need for N95 respirators for healthcare workers and other occupational users is more critical than ever. Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reinforced its existing guidelines on respiratory protection by recommending the use of fit-tested, N95 respirators for healthcare personnel who are in close contact with patients with suspected or confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza. Other global health organizations that have publicly supported N95 usage include the Institute of Medicine and the Ontario Ministry of Health.
According to Richard Jaffe, chairman and CEO of Safe Life, the A400 represents a significant technology advancement that addresses the major challenges healthcare workers and other occupational users have long faced when wearing N95 respirators. "In the past 20 years, little has changed in respirator design, which means healthcare workers and other occupational users have been forced to choose between the comfort and breathability of a surgical mask and the filtration power of an N95 respirator," he said. "Now, with the A400, which looks and feels like a surgical mask yet has the full protection of a respirator, workers no longer have to make compromises when it comes to comfort, safety and patient care."
Among the first healthcare providers to equip its employees with the new Safe Life N95 Respirator with Antimicrobial Protection is Scripps Health, a $2 billion, nonprofit community health system based in San Diego. To ensure proper protection during the H1N1 pandemic, Scripps is providing Safe Life's A400 Series respirator to healthcare staff in high-risk settings at all of its five acute-care hospital campuses as well as 19 outpatient centers and clinics.
"The health and safety of Scripps Health employees and patients are top priorities," said Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of Scripps Health. "The availability of this new product enables us to maintain an ample supply of N95 respirators throughout the flu season and also reinforces an overarching commitment to workplace safety by providing our employees with a respirator that can be worn easily for an entire shift."
About the Safe Life A400 Series N95 Respirator with Antimicrobial Protection
The breakthrough design of the A400 features the "look and feel" of a surgical mask for optimal breathability, comfort and clear communication while delivering the full protection of a NIOSH-certified, N95 respirator, which filters out at least 95 percent of the airborne particles that may contain viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. The patented, breathable face seal on the Safe Life A400 filters airborne particles from the top, bottom and sides of the respirator. It also ensures an excellent fit while reducing the time-consuming burden created by fit-testing requirements. Additionally, the outer surface of the respirator is coated with the Safe Life Antimicrobial, an EPA-registered, solid-state antimicrobial that acts rapidly to provide an added layer of product protection against a variety of microorganisms.
The compact, flat-fold design of the Safe Life A400 minimizes storages requirements and makes it ideal for stockpiling. The Safe Life N95 Respirator with Antimicrobial Protection is available in two sizes: small/medium (model A430) and medium/large (model A450). Safe Life is ramping up production at its manufacturing facilities in Williston, Vt. and Ipoh, Malaysia, and has the capacity to produce more than 100 million A400 respirators in 2010. The A400 is available through most major healthcare distributors.
About Safe Life
Safe Life Corp. is a company dedicated to developing novel antimicrobial technologies and products that help prevent the spread of infection and disease. Founded in 2006, the company has developed a family of next-generation, NIOSH-certified respirators, including the Safe Life A400 Series N95 Respirator with Antimicrobial Protection, the Safe Life T5000 Series P95 Respirator with Antimicrobial Protection and the Safe Life T6000 Series P99 Respirator with Antimicrobial Protection. With more than 100 patents and patents pending, the Safe Life Antimicrobial is an EPA-registered, solid-state antimicrobial that successfully harnesses the power of iodine, which has a nearly 200-year track record for being effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. Safe Life has garnered regulatory approvals, licenses, clearances and certifications from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), INSPEC (EU) and Health Canada. Headquartered in San Diego, Safe Life has manufacturing facilities and operations in Williston, Vt., Mirabel QC, Canada and Ipoh, Malaysia. For more information, visit www.safelifecorp.com.
