Formica® or fomite? let’s have a show of hands!

A fomite is an object capable of transferring a pathogen, such as a virus, spore or bacterium from one person to another.

Many objects can act as fomites, some examples include:

·      kitchen surfaces;

·      handrails;

·      doorknobs,

·      light switches;

·      mobile phones;

·      VR Headsets; and

·      even clothing.

Several factors and conditions can influence how easily bacteria or viruses present on a fomite, can transmit to a person, including: temperature; humidity in the room; how porous the fomite is; and the type and concentration of the pathogen.

Even the positioning of the fomite can affect how it transmits; different areas of buildings will have differing communities and amounts of pathogens.

Fomites can transfer pathogens to hands, and hands are a primary transport route for pathogens, which may then be transferred by touching to the eyes, nose and mouth, spreading infection.

Reducing your risk from transmission from fomites day to day is best achieved by thorough hand washing after touching communal surfaces, this is a very effective method, but is of course reliant on the diligence (or memory!) of the individual.

Reducing other peoples’ risk from fomites, where you or your organisation is providing a potential fomite is trickier. In general, the longer an object is handled, and the more people handle it, the greater the number of potential pathogens will build up on a surface, and the more active the fomite becomes.

Depending on good hand hygiene from users is of course just that, dependent on them. Some will assiduously follow your advice; some will completely ignore it.

There are active steps that you can take to reduce risk and take the onus away from the user to ensure good hygiene.

VR/XR and AR Headsets and controllers are excellent examples of devices used in education, industry, medicine and entertainment that present a particular fomite risk.

These headsets are worn very close to the eyes and nose, particularly vulnerable areas to cross infection, where bacteria and viruses on the skin or mucus membranes are easily transferred to, and from, the inside of the headset, including the lenses.

Handling of the exterior, when putting on and taking off the headset, and handling the controllers, can also transfer pathogens from the hands to their outer surfaces and then on to the next user.

These headsets, for example in a teaching environment, may be shared between many pupils over the course of a day, subjecting each to the risk of cross infection. Conjunctivitis, noroviruses, colds and flu and many other conditions are all capable of transmission by fomites.

Ultraviolet light in the ‘C’ band (UV-C) is a proven and extremely effective method of disabling these pathogens on fomite surfaces. Just two minutes’ exposure can be enough to reduce surface pathogens by 99.99% without the use of time-consuming, and potentially instrument-damaging, alcohol or chlorine wipes.

Uvisan UV-C cabinets have been laboratory tested to prove their effectiveness against pathogens on both the inside and outside of headsets and are trusted by organisations, including the NHS and Microsoft, to safely store, charge and disinfect shared objects including headsets and controllers.

Uvisan cabinets are certified to IEC 62471 ensuring complete safety from user exposure to the UV-C radiation, and testing by leading headset manufacturers has shown that our UV-C light does not damage expensive headsets or other equipment, even after very prolonged immersion.

We have Formica® kitchen tops covered too. Our Cleanroom™ whole-room UV-C smart system can safely disinfect every surface (and even the air) in rooms of almost any size in as little as ten minutes.

For more information or to discuss your requirement click here.