Deep Ultra Violet Light Proven to Kill Covid-19
Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has conducted a viral inactivation experiment1 in which the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was irradiated using deep ultraviolet (UV) LED technology it has developed. The experiment was conducted jointly with the Biomedical Science Association,2 a certified NPO, and showed these deep UV LEDs to be highly effective in inactivating the coronaviruses.
Toyoda Gosei has been developing deep UV LED technology since 2017, making use of the knowledge it had cultivated over many years in the development and production of blue LEDs. The company is currently applying this technology broadly to the purification of water and air with the aim of creating safer and healthier living.
Toyoda Gosei will continue to leverage its core strengths with the aim of contributing to a sustainable society.
Experimental outline, results
- Method: Viral inactivation was measures after deep UV irradiation for a set time.
- Result: More than 99.999% of viruses were confirmed to be inactivated in less than 5 sec.
1Inactivation means denaturing the proteins that make up the genetic information of viruses or bacteria so that they are rendered unable to proliferate (lose infectivity).
2A certified NPO composed of experts from public research institutes and universities specializing in the biological sciences, including medicine, pharmacology, veterinary medicine, agriculture and other fields.
Valeo Develops Powerful Air Sterilization
Valeo has developed the world’s most powerful air sterilization system for bus and coach cabins. Upon activation, the system eliminates, in a single airflow cycle, more than 95% of viruses, including Covid-19, as well as any bacteria or mold present in the air circulating in the cabin.
Irrespective of the source of infection, whether inside or outside the vehicle, the Valeo-designed modules are effective throughout the vehicle’s journey with passengers onboard.
The Valeo devices are available as a standalone solution box or they can be directly integrated into the vehicle’s air conditioning systems. They use ultraviolet light technology, similar to that used in medical and hospital facilities. The UV rays work as both a bactericide and a germicide and can kill microbes such as viruses and pathogens. The rays stop these microbes from spreading and can be used as an alternative to other disinfection methods, avoiding the use of chemical products.
Valeo has created a unique solution integrating a UV light provided by one of the leading global experts in the technology, and a “light labyrinth”, which blocks the UV rays from spreading outside of the metal box, ensuring that passengers are never exposed to them. Only the air circulating in the ventilation box is purified by the light.
On July 10, 2020, the Institute of Medical Virology at the Goethe University Hospital in Frankfurt confirmed the technology’s virucidal efficacy.
The Valeo solution has recently been integrated as original equipment in vehicles manufactured by a Brazilian bus maker. It is designed to be compatible with buses and coaches of all types and sizes, air‑conditioned or not, and to withstand all weather conditions. Valeo now plans to bring these systems to markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia. Valeo’s air purifiers will also be offered to operators of vehicles already on the road, as they can be adapted to existing ventilation systems or retrofitted to non-air-conditioned vehicles.
Valeo is also working to roll out this technology to passenger vehicles.
Hyundai HOW Provides 1 Million Covid Tests
Hyundai Hope On Wheels (HHOW) is proud to announce that it has enabled more than one million COVID-19 tests by funding 23 testing sites nationwide. In late March, Hyundai Hope On Wheels launched its initiative to expand COVID-19 testing in communities hard-hit by the virus. In July, HHOW donated $100,000 for testing in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. To date, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has donated a total of $4.4 million to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has donated more than $172 million to pediatric cancer research. During National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, HHOW will award 26 new research grants totaling $6.8 million to researchers at children’s hospitals nationwide in their relentless pursuit of life-saving treatments.
To help the neighboring community of Selma continue its fight against COVID-19, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) donated 6,000 face masks to Selma City Schools.
HMMA donated 5,000 disposable masks and 1,000 reusable fabric face masks to Selma City Schools. The donation was received by school officials for distribution to students, faculty and staff. The Selma City School district is comprised of nine schools supporting 2,500 students in grades K-12.
Earlier this year, HMMA donated 20,000 reusable face masks and 400 face shields to the Montgomery County EMA, as well as 5,000 disposable masks to Montgomery Public Schools. Additionally, HMMA donated 450 box lunches to Montgomery area front line health providers, 1,000 surgical masks to the Alabama Dental Association and 10,000 COVID-19 tests to Montgomery and surrounding counties to support drive through testing in Alabama.
Bridgestone Donates Covid-19 Relief
Bridgestone Retail Operations (Bridgestone), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, announced it will donate an additional $760,000 to support COVID-19 relief efforts at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. The contribution is equal to total customer donations collected in Q2 2020 across the Bridgestone nationwide network of 2,200+ tire and automotive service centers doing business as Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works. With this donation, Bridgestone has given a total of $1.6 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs COVID-19 Relief Fund this year.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America launched their multi-million-dollar COVID-19 Relief Fund in April and announced phase two of the fund on Sept. 3. With the impacts of COVID-19 continuing throughout the U.S., this second phase of funding will help address urgent needs Club kids continue to face including food insecurity, support with virtual learning, and after school care.
Many Clubs have already seen positive impacts from the first phase of the Boys & Girls Club COVID-19 Relief Fund. According to Jim Clark, president and CEO at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, more than 160 Boys & Girls Clubs in rural, suburban and urban markets received immediate support as a result of the first donation Bridgestone made in April.