RICHMOND, Va. and NORFOLK, Va. — October 24, 2012 —Cupron, creator of a copper-based antimicrobial technology, and EOS Surfaces, a solid surface manufacturer, jointly announce that their surface, Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces, has received the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) approval to make a Public Health Claim that their copper-enhanced material can kill greater than 99.9% of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria* within two hours of exposure. Prior to this, only
elemental copper and certain copper alloys held this official distinction.
The approval is based on Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces' ability to kill specific disease-causing bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (O157:H7). MRSA is one of the most common strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a well-recognized cause of health care-acquired infections (HAIs). The two companies expect this material to help health care organizations and infection control specialists manage HAIs. The product is approved for use in a wide range of applications, including health care.
"The EPA's approval of our public health claims surrounding Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces is a pivotal
moment in not only the commercialization of our technology, but also how health care facilities combat
hospital infections," said Paul Rocheleau, chairman of Cupron. "HAIs have a devastating effect on the
health care environment, causing thousands of deaths and costing billions of dollars each year. While we
fully acknowledge our surface won't end this problem, we believe these innovative materials will
provide an additional layer of protection in managing the risks associated with microbial control."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates HAIs affect 2 million individuals and
result in about 100,000 deaths annually. The use of antimicrobial materials for frequently touched
surfaces may be an effective supplement to existing CDC-prescribed hand-washing and disinfection
regimens.
In order to submit these claims to the EPA, the surface first had to achieve a 100-percent pass rate of
thousands of samples at an independent testing laboratory under the highest laboratory standards
available. The samples were tested in various environmental conditions, cleaning protocols, and for
efficacy after repeated exposure. EOS Surfaces also performed extensive ASTM testing to support
mechanical performance claims.
Specifically, the following statements are included in the EPA registration:
- "This surface continuously reduces bacterial* contamination achieving a 99.9% reduction within
two hours of exposure." - "This surface kills greater than 99.9% of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria* within two
hours of exposure." - "This surface kills greater than 99.9% of bacteria* within two hours and continues to kill 99% of
bacteria* even after repeated contamination." - "This surface helps inhibit the buildup and growth of bacteria* within two hours of exposure
between routine cleaning and sanitizing steps."
*Testing demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538),
Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048), Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA-ATCC 33592), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 35150) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442).
"This approval affirms what we've known for a while, that our surface has the potential to make a real
impact with infection rates among hospitals and other health care institutions," said Ken Trinder, CEO of
EOS Surfaces. "Our next goal is to establish a network of distributors, fabricators and end-use partners
to get these materials in the field so that it can begin saving lives, keeping people healthier and reducing
costs. The EOS Surfaces are designed to be used for countertops, nurses' stations, wall panels and
building components, showers and lavatory fixtures, furniture and tables, and a broad range of other
products."
Cupron and EOS Surfaces will set up a product stewardship program to support the responsible use of
the technology and obtain feedback from users of the surface. Cupron and EOS, together with various
health care partners, will further evaluate the benefit of antimicrobial-protected surfaces (hard surfaces
and textiles) in reducing the amount of disease-causing bacteria in medical facilities.
Cupron and EOS Surfaces jointly developed this material with a range of performance characteristics
that provides the mechanical properties of non-porous solid surfaces, the aesthetics for design flexibility
and high antimicrobial performance. Because the Cupron technology is embedded throughout the
surface, it will not lose its effectiveness over time and wear-and-tear. In fact, it can be fabricated,
polished and modified as needed.
Furthermore, EOS is building a new state-of-the-art facility in Norfolk, Virginia for the large-scale
manufacturing of Cupron Enhanced EOS. The new facility, expected to begin operation in early 2013,
will have specialized equipment that has been designed to commercialize the proprietary technology for
a range of products. The new plant will manufacture various thicknesses of Cupron Enhanced EOS cast
slabs, perform finishing operations, and will have the capability to manufacture pre-made vanities and
other ancillary surfacing products for microbial control.
Health care organizations, architects, health care design consultants or distributors interested in Cupron<BR>Enhanced EOS Surfaces can contact EOS Surfaces at 800-719-EOS1 or email at kgt@eos-surfaces.com
The use of the Antimicrobial Cupron Enhanced EOS Surface is a supplement to and not a substitute for
standard infection control practices; users must continue to follow all current infection control
practices, including those practices related to cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces.
The Antimicrobial Cupron Enhanced EOS Surface has been shown to reduce microbial contamination
but it does not necessarily prevent cross contamination.
About EOS Surfaces:
EOS Surfaces, LLC is a solid surface manufacturer, founded in 2005, which revolutionized the solid
surface industry with the first 3cm surface, a change from most ½" solid surfaces that require additional
labor costs and edge build up for proper installation. The product received the International Solid
Surface Fabricators Association's (ISSFA) 2007 Envision Award, honoring the year's most innovative
product.
EOS Surfaces also offers GEOS, an environmentally friendly option that uses recycled glass in its
construction, and Cupron Enhanced EOS, the industry's first EPA registered, copper-infused hard surface
that is approved to make Public Health Claims regarding its antimicrobial capabilities. For more
information, visit www.eos-surfaces.com.