ZONO:Sports

Pictures from our public service visit to Newtown Park to sanitize shoes for the cleatswap at the Newtown Festival on September 12, 2009.

Childcare Facilities

There is a high risk of spreading communicable viruses at childcare facilities because of the frequent sharing of toys, electronic equipment, games and other items.

Research has shown that children under five years of age are at high risk of serious flu-related complications. It is estimated that more than 20,000 children under five years old are hospitalized due to flu each year in the U.S. Baby and toddler toys need to be cleaned each day.

An ZONOcleanmachine on the premises of a childcare facility will allow the provider to sanitize toys, electronic equipment, mats, walkers, changing tables, diaper pails, crayons/markers, plush stuffed animals, baby bed mattresses, and other commonly shared items throughout the day.

The ZONOcleanmachine reduces sanitation time, labor costs, hot water consumption and eliminates the use of harmful chemicals.

Ozone Facts

What is ozone?

Ozone is a gas. And it's made of just one thing:  oxygen. The Ozone molecule is composed of three atoms of oxygen. Two atoms of oxygen form the basic oxygen molecule--the oxygen we breathe that is essential to life. The third oxygen atom can detach from the ozone molecule, and re-attach to molecules of other substances, thereby altering their chemical composition.

How does ozone sanitize?

Ozone is a molecule composed of three atoms of oxygen. The third oxygen atom detaches from the ozone molecule, and re-attaches to molecules of other substances, like bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi, and alters their structure, thereby killing them.

Why Ozone?

• Ozone is a gas made of just one thing: oxygen.
• Unlike harsh liquid disinfectants, ozone gas penetrates into padding and fabric where spray disinfectants cannot go. 
• Unlike other sanitizers, such as chlorine bleach, ozone gas does not damage or impact the integrity of the fabric or padding.
• Ozone gas can sanitize fabrics and items that are non-washable.
• Ozone is 51% more powerful on bacterial cell walls than chlorine.
• Ozone kills bacteria 3100 times faster than chlorine.
• Ozone eliminates the use of hot water.
• Ozone can eliminate all chemical usage.
• Ozone is chemical-free. 
• Ozone is very inexpensive to produce and has an unlimited supply.
• Ozone substantially reduces offensive odors, which are likely the result of  decomposition of the bacteria, viruses, fungi.

Introduction to Ozone

One of nature's most powerful oxidizers, ozone has been used as a powerful organic sanitizer since the early 1900s.

Today, nearly all bottled water is treated with ozone, and many municipal water systems utilize ozone to treat drinking water. The USDA accepted ozone as safe and suitable for use in the production of meat and poultry products in 2000 and the FDA approved ozone as an antimicrobial agent for food in 2001.

Ozone is recognized as an efficient sanitizing agent by the USDA, FDA, EPA, CDC, and the World Health Organization.

Influenza is in schools. How does it affect you?

• Approximately 1/5 of the U.S. population attends or works in schools. (U.S. Dept of Ed, 1999)
• Some viruses and bacteria can live from 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. (Ansari, 1988; Scott and Bloomfield, 1989)
• Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold alone. (CDC, 1996)
• ZONOsanitech can help decrease the spread of influenza between students, teachers, family and friends.

Influenza

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from seasonal flu complications. There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B and C. Influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics of disease almost every winter in the United States. Influenza type C infections cause a mild respiratory illness and are not thought to cause epidemics.

Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes based on two proteins on the surface of the virus: the hemagglutinin (H) and the neuraminidase (N). There are 16 different hemagglutinin subtypes and 9 different neuraminidase subtypes, Influenza A viruses can be further broken down into different strains. The current subtypes of influenza A viruses found in people are A (H1N1) and A (H3N2).  Influenza B viruses are not divided into subtype, but can be further broken down into different strains. Influenza A (H1N1), A (H3N2), and influenza B strains are included in each year's influenza vaccine. Getting a flu vaccine can protect against influenza A and B viruses. The flu vaccine does not protect against influenza C viruses.

Studies have shown that human influenza viruses generally can survive on inanimate items/surfaces for between 2 and 8 hours. Influenza virus is only destroyed by heat between 167-212°F or 75-100°C (CDC, 2009).