Today’s dynamic healthcare environment requires a new level of technology for infection prevention. Healthcare-acquired infections, threats of pandemics, biological warfare and antibiotic resistant “superbugs” make the fight against infection a global priority.

Our capacity to manage, or even survive such microbial threats is brought into question. Great emphasis has been placed on vaccines, antivirals and antibiotic stockpiles as insurance against a number of these possibilities. However, again and again shortages of and microbial resistance to these pharmacological defenses has been reported. Yet, rarely do we hear anything about how we can physically protect ourselves other than social distancing and washing hands frequently. As many viruses gain access to the body through the respiratory tract, preventing their entrance in the first place is incredibly important.

Why Safe Life™ Disposable Respirators with Triosyn® Antimicrobial Protection?
NIOSH-approved N95 disposable respirators, originally designed to protect workers from industrial dust and particulates, may also be used as protection against microbial threats. The performance tests for these respirators employ a challenge of aerosolized salt particles measuring 0.3 microns. After years of use in industry, these disposable respirators were introduced into the healthcare environment to provide protection for caregivers exposed to pulmonary tuberculosis. Since tuberculosis bacilli measure 1-10 microns, these respirators can be very effective in filtering pulmonary tuberculosis. Viruses are smaller than salt particles however, measuring as small as 0.020 microns, so they can penetrate ordinary N95 respirators at a significantly higher rate.*
Safe Life™ Disposable Respirators with Triosyn® Antimicrobial Protection are designed and tested such that they exceed CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations for the precautionary use of N95 respirators during exposure to airborne microorganisms such as the avian influenza virus, SARS Coronavirus and tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). In independent tests obtained under controlled laboratory conditions, Safe Life Disposable Respirators have been proven to consistently remove 99.99% of both airborne (<5 microns) and droplet (>5 microns) viruses throughout the equivalent of an 8-hour work shift.*

Safe Life Disposable Respirators with Triosyn® Antimicrobial Protection are designed specifically to stop aerosolized microorganisms - especially viruses. Viruses, in contrast to bacteria, are not considered living organisms; their sole mission is to attack and overtake healthy host cells in the body and replicate. It is therefore necessary to specifically target viruses to prevent spread of infection. The patented Triosyn® resin is an effective antimicrobial that works against viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi on contact, preventing their breakthrough or migration into the wearer’s breathing zone over time. While other N95s simply work by filtering some microorganisms, Safe Life respirators have a multi-layer system impregnated with Triosyn® resin creating increased microbial attraction by physical and electrostatic means. Because of the additional antimicrobial properties, captured microorganisms are also rapidly oxidized and rendered harmless.

PHOTO COURTESY OF A. DAVIDHAZY