Jago Times "English Edition" Best Online Newspaper
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is ordering Plano-based Allied BioScience to cease all distribution of its SurfaceWise2 product, an antimicrobial surface coating the government previously authorized for emergency use as a COVID-19 germ killer.
The order came from an investigation that followed Oklahoma’s request to revoke the product’s emergency authorization on the grounds that the emergency situation was no longer applicable, according to the EPA. The regulatory agency also said authorization was also revoked in Texas and Arkansas after an investigation found “company misconduct” in marketing, selling and distributing SurfaceWise2.
Allied BioScience received widespread attention last year when the EPA cleared its product for use on American Airlines planes in Texas as part of the airline’s enhanced protocols to convince wary travelers to return to flying. Two Texas orthopedic facilities also began using the spray.
Original tests showed the spray coating could inactivate the COVID-19 virus for up to seven days.
The EPA said its investigation found that the product is not as effective in real-life application as it is in a laboratory. After reviewing data, information and performing their own tests, the EPA concluded that SurfaceWise2′s effectiveness can be diminished by exposure to moisture and abrasions.
The EPA said those findings meant Allied BioScience’s product is inconsistent with government regulations and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, as well as terms and conditions of emergency exemption authorizations.
Allied BioScience CEO Michael Ruley said the company is fully complying with the EPA’s requests. He also said Allied BioScience will continue to work with the EPA to receive full approval for SurfaceWise2.
“We intend to rectify and resolve this as soon as possible,” Ruley said. “We continue to work closely with the EPA to confirm the protection provided by SurfaceWise2.”
According to a statement from American Airlines, the Fort Worth-based carrier has stopped using SurfaceWise2 on flights routed through Texas.
“We will continue to follow all EPA and federal guidance on this matter,” a spokesperson for American Airlines said in a statement. “Other elements of American’s enhanced onboard Clean Commitment program remain in effect and exceed CDC guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of our customers and team members.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines say the risk of transmission of COVID-19 through touching a contaminated surface is low. Because of that and the availability of other approved products, the EPA said removing SurfaceWise2 from the market will not endanger human health.