US Department of Agriculture Identifies SteraMist iHP Technology as Potential Solution for Honey Bee Colony Collapse
05 Setembro 2023 - 9:30AM
TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc.® (“TOMI”) (NASDAQ: TOMZ), a
global company specializing in disinfection and decontamination
solutions, today announced the completion of a study funded by the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National
Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) which demonstrated
SteraMist iHP as an effective treatment of deformed wing virus
(DWV) contaminated hive substrates.
The study aimed to determine if the use of cold plasma ionized
hydrogen peroxide (iHP) can reduce the infectivity of DWV to naïve
honey bee pupae. Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a widespread pathogen
of Apis mellifera (Western and European) honey bees and contributes
to the collapse of established honey bee colonies. Widespread
colony collapse could result in a significant decline in the
diversity of fresh produce and substantially impact human nutrition
on a global scale. Honey bees become infected by interacting with
DWV-contaminated beeswax in the hive and it is of critical
importance for the USDA and NIFA to identify a non-toxic, quick,
and effective disinfection system capable of deactivating latent
DWV on hive substrates.
The study utilized a SteraMist Environment System along with
TOMI’s Binary Ionization Technology (BIT) solution which was passed
through a nozzle that generated an ultra-fine 0.05 – 3-micron
particle mist. The mist was then ionized by cold plasma generated
between two pin electrodes for a 15-minute application time on
aliquots or sub-sample of a larger whole of phosphate-buffered
saline solution either with or without deformed wing virus (DWV).
The aliquots were then injected into naïve honey bee pupae, which
were allowed to progress for three days prior to DWV content
analysis.
The findings confirmed the efficacy of iHP as a fast and
effective method for pathogen decontamination of deformed wing
virus in honey bee substrate. The development of infection in honey
bees injected with DWV-positive aliquots treated with ionized
hydrogen peroxide (iHP) was statistically significantly reduced
compared to the infection levels in honey bees injected with the
DWV-positive aliquots without SteraMist treatment. Additionally,
iHP treatment was found to achieve higher levels of DWV
inactivation at a substantially shorter treatment duration when
compared to ethylene oxide treatment or gamma irradiation.
SteraMist’s non-toxic properties provide further environmental
advantages as ethylene oxide and gamma irradiation have potential
risks, including toxicity to users and harmful byproducts.
Treatment of DWV-contaminated hive substrates with iHP, even with
honeybees present, may be an effective way to decrease the impacts
of DWV infection on honey bees. The complete findings can be
downloaded here.
Elissa J. (E.J.) Shane, COO of TOMI stated “These results
validate the significant potential of iHP as a revolutionary
technology for preventing honey bee colony collapse and
subsequently protecting the global food system. We look forward to
continuing our relationship with the USDA and NIFA, and we are
committed to progressing SteraMist use in agricultural
settings.”
CEO of TOMI Dr. Halden Shane took a more altruistic approach,
“Our motto has always been Innovating for a Safer World. While no
one can save the world from earthquakes, tsunamis hurricanes,
volcanoes, or winged influenza, we believe SteraMist IHP technology
can certainly put a dent into saving the world by keeping honey
bees safer as the world would surely die without the honey bee. One
of the greatest minds of all time, Albert Einstein, once said: “If
the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have
four years left to live.” Without bees, 30% of the food crops that
are heavily dependent on bee pollination would be affected, so by
losing honey bees, the food industry loses 18 billion dollars. I am
so proud that this technology could play a role in saving the
world!”
TOMI™ Environmental Solutions, Inc.: Innovating for a
safer world®
TOMI™ Environmental Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: TOMZ ) is a
global decontamination and infection prevention company, providing
environmental solutions for disinfection through the manufacturing,
sales and licensing of its premier Binary Ionization Technology ®
(BIT™) platform. Invented under a defense grant in association with
the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the U.S.
Department of Defense, BIT™ solution utilizes a low percentage
hydrogen peroxide as its only active ingredient and uses patented
ionized Hydrogen Peroxide (iHP™) technology in all SteraMist
systems to create superior disinfection. TOMI products are
designed to service a broad spectrum of use sites, including, but
not limited to, food safety, hospitals and medical facilities,
biosafety labs, pharmaceutical facilities, commercial and office
buildings, schools, restaurants, meat and produce processing
facilities, and police and fire departments.
For additional information, please visit https://steramist.com/
or contact us at info@tomimist.com
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Reform Act of 1995
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based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections
of future performance based on management’s judgment, beliefs,
current trends, and anticipated product performance. These
forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements
relating to SteraMist’s ability to treat virus affecting bees.
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cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in
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INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:John Nesbett/Rosalyn ChristianIMS
Investor Relationstomi@imsinvestorrelations.com
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