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Tests show ZENGuard masks kill 99.99% of viruses, bacteria Metal Tech News – September 29, 2021
Lab tests have shown that ZENGuard treated masks have greater than a 99.99% bacterial and viral filtration efficiency, significantly higher than uncoated ASTM level 3, 3-ply masks.
Canada-based ZEN Graphene and Trebor Rx can now provide healthcare workers with Health Canada approved masks and gloves treated with a graphene-based coating that is highly effective at fighting a range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
One year after unveiling a graphene-based coating that is 99% effective at killing the virus responsible for COVID-19 when applied to face masks and other personal protective equipment, Zen Graphene Solutions Ltd. has received Health Canada approval of its ZENGuard disposable face mask treated with this pathogen-fighting coating.
"Exactly one year ago today we announced the scientific breakthrough related to our antimicrobial coating – and now seeing proactive affirmation from Health Canada that ZENGuard-enhanced surgical masks are safe, we have achieved a major milestone for our company and shareholders," Zen Graphene Solutions CEO Greg Fenton said on Sept. 23. "This heralds a future that would not have been possible except for the ingenuity and tireless effort from our people."
Made of a single layer of carbon atoms, the graphene in ZENGuard slices through the protective cell walls of viruses and bacteria, destroying them without the use of drugs.
Multiple tests carried out at laboratories in Canada last year demonstrated that the ZENGuard graphene-based compound is 99.9% effective at killing a broad range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This includes the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19 and multidrug-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
More information on the Zen Graphene virucidal ink testing can be read at Tests find Zen Graphene ink kills COVID in the Sept. 23, 2020 edition of Metal Tech News.
To quickly bring ZENGuard treated masks and other products to market, ZEN Graphene forged a partnership with Trebor Rx Corp.
While new to the mask business, Trebor Rx co-founder and CEO George Irwin is not new to making and selling safe and dependable products in Canada.
Irwin is better known for his role as the top executive of Irwin Toy, a family-owned company that has been making and selling toys in Canada for the better part of a century.
Irwin's decision to get into the mask-making business came after he and his wife, Brenda Elliott, were infected with COVID-19 during a March trip outside of Canada.
Trebor and ZEN Graphene's plans to rapidly get graphene-treated masks to the masses as quickly as possible was slowed this spring when Health Canada issued an advisory warning that inhaling graphene particles from treated face masks may pose health risks.
"Until the department completes a thorough scientific assessment and has established the safety and effectiveness of graphene-containing face masks, it is taking the precautionary approach of removing them from the market while continuing to gather and assess information," Health Canada penned in its April 2 advisory.
ZEN Graphene and Trebor both supported this cautionary approach and supplied Health Canada with the results of all the testing that had been conducted on ZENGuard and masks treated with the graphene-based coating.
As a result, Health Canada has approved ZENGuard disposable face masks as ASTM level 3 medical devices, the highest rating for medical and surgical face masks according to American Society for Testing and Materials standards.
The latest round of testing in an accredited Canadian laboratory found that the bacterial filtration efficiency and viral filtration efficiency of ZENGuard coated masks is above 99.99%, believed to be the highest efficiency on the market. As a result, ZENGuard masks removed 98.9% more bacteria and 97.8% more virus particles compared to typical ASTM level 3, 3-ply uncoated masks.
"A new level of safety and protection has been achieved by the approval of Trebor's biocidal coated ZENGuard mask. Healthcare facilities can now offer a better mask to fight against airborne pathogens," said Irwin. "This is a game-changer in the PPE space, and we look forward to reaching out to healthcare facilities with this new gold standard in mask protection."
With Health Canada approval, ZEN Graphene sent the first shipment of ZENGuard to Trebor.
"After working closely with George Irwin and the Trebor team over the last year, we have developed an excellent working relationship and are eager to launch our first product together, the Trebor Rx surgical mask with ZENGuard technology delivering over 99.99% bacterial and viral filtration efficiency," said Fenton.
Zen Graphene's pilot-scale production facility has the capacity to produce enough of the antimicrobial coating to treat 30 million masks per month, and the company is having engineering work completed for a commercial plant with an estimated capacity to coat the equivalent of 800 million masks per month.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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