The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has recently registered a new product for preventing and eliminating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which causes potentially deadly infections commonly known as ?staph? infections. The MRSA ?super bug? is typically contracted in hospitals, in other healthcare environments, and in health clubs and locker rooms.

The EPA has registered Selectrocide? chlorine dioxide for use as a disinfectant on hard, non-porous surfaces and instruments, including those used within hospitals and other medical settings. As a no-wipe, no-rinse spray, Selectrocide chlorine dioxide can also be used on hard, non-porous surfaces in health clubs, spas, public places and swimming facilities as a treatment against MRSA. The EPA has also registered Selectrocide? as a disinfectant for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, athlete's foot, Mycobacterium bovis (TB) and other pathogens that spread in many environments.

MRSA is usually spread by direct physical contact with those already infected or through indirect contact by touching objects (towels, clothes, sports equipment, etc.) that infected skin has contaminated. Consequently, any heavily trafficked area can be a source of infection.

According to a report by the BBC News, ?Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of human infections in the skin and soft tissues, bones and joints, abscesses and normal heart valves. It flourishes in the hospital setting, producing bloodstream and surgical wound infections, including MRSA.? (news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4671585.stm)

HOW SELECTROCIDE? KILLS MRSA AND OTHER DEADLY PATHOGENS

Selectrocide? is greater than 99% pure chlorine dioxide, an ideal biocide because of its ability to kill viruses, bacteria, fungi, and algae at low saturation levels (parts per million) in a manner that does not allow pathogens to build resistance to the compound.

Prior to Selectrocide?, healthcare and health club environments were limited to using substances like bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds that can leave residue and require higher concentrations than does chlorine dioxide to achieve the same antimicrobial efficacy.

Selectrocide's chlorine dioxide is produced in water and sprayed, mopped, or sponged onto surfaces that require disinfection. After application, the solution is left on target surfaces and does not require rinsing. Due to the comparatively low application concentrations required to kill pathogens, Selectrocide is compatible with most materials.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF MRSA AND ITS INCREASING RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS

Staphylococcus aureus (SA)-Antibiotic Resistance (General): Throughout history, Staphylococcus aureus (SA) has been a dangerous pathogen once it has successfully breached the normal defense system. The first effective antibiotic against SA, penicillin, became available in the 1940s. Soon after, SA evolved resistance to penicillin, and by the late 1950s, 50 percent of all SA strains were resistant. Today, fewer than 10 percent of SA infections can be cured with penicillin.

The next weapons against SA, methicillin and cephalosporin, became available in the 1960s and 1970s. By the late 1970s, some strains of SA had evolved resistance to these drugs. Today, as many as 50 percent of SA strains isolated from U.S. hospitals are resistant to methicillin. (Source: National Institutes of Health)

GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CHLORINE DIOXIDE AND SELECTROCIDE?

Chlorine dioxide is effective at low concentrations across a wide range of pH (roughly 4 to 9), and, because it is a gas in its natural state, dissipates upon exposure to sunlight As a consequence, it is known widely as one of the most effective inhibitors of algae, yeast, mold, fungi and viruses. However, because transporting the gas is prohibited in all but frozen forms, pure chlorine dioxide has heretofore been limited to use in large concerns that employ chemical generators, such as pulp mills (controlling slime) and municipal water systems (water purification applications).

Similarly, in cleaning and antimicrobial knockdown applications, pure chlorine dioxide has been unavailable, and only with ?stabilized? solutions or acidified sodium chlorite, which are corrosive and produce significant chemical residues, could any of the advantages of chlorine dioxide be realized.

JUST ADD WATER -- AND WAIT. Now, Selectrocide? brings the power of greater than 99% pure chlorine dioxide solutions to point-of-use applications. Selectrocide? produces chlorine dioxide simply by submersing the product in water. The resulting chlorine dioxide solution can be used to kill disease-bearing bacteria, yeasts, molds, fungi and algae using spraying, washing or ?dip? cleaning methods.

Selectrocide? makes it possible-for the first time-to generate specific concentrations of chlorine dioxide at the point of use, at neutral pH and with very low residuals, using only tap water.

SUMMARY OF SELECTROCIDE? BENEFITS

* US EPA-registered as a disinfectant against MRSA, and other potentially virulent pathogens.
* Pathogens cannot build up resistance to Selectrocide? because it kills harmful organisms by breaking down cell walls.
* Easy to use and does not require HAZMAT or complicated equipment
* Can be made on-site in specific quantities and in concentrations desired. Only tap water is required to generate the chlorine dioxide.
* Because it kills pathogens with such efficacy, Selectrocide? may reduce costs because fewer disinfection treatments may be required during a given maintenance and cleaning cycle.

Further information is available at http://www.selectivemicro.com or by calling 978-927-6610 X20.

ABOUT SELECTIVE MICRO TECHNOLOGIES

Formed in 1999, Selective Micro Technologies is a private company based in Beverly, Massachusetts. Combining sophisticated science with innovative product design, Selective Micro has invented a proprietary delivery system that controls the rate and efficiency of gas-producing reactions. The competitive advantage of Selective Micro's products is their ability to generate specific concentrations of greater than 99% pure chlorine dioxide at neutral pH for point-of-use operators, using only tap water, without capital equipment. The Company holds two US patents, and has several other patent applications pending in the US and abroad.

Selective Micro and logos are registered trademarks of Selective Micro Technologies, LLC. Selectrocide? is a trademark of Selective Micro Technologies, LLC. ? 2005 Selective Micro Technologies. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.selectivemicro.com