EPA approves mass transit air treatment solution for Texas, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Maryland

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a Section 18 Public Health Emergency Exemption for the use of Grignard Pure™, an antimicrobial air treatment solution, for intrastate transit and transportation applications in Texas, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Administered through Luminator Technology Group’s (Luminator) Renew™ Air Treatment System, the solution provides continuous protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The EPA’s Section 18 Emergency Exemption for Grignard Pure, which was approved for use in Georgia and Tennessee earlier this year, is now authorized for use in Texas, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Maryland. This approval applies to its use in specific indoor spaces (occupied and unoccupied) when adherence to current public health guidelines is impractical or difficult to maintain (e.g., CDC guidance at www.cdc.gov recommending social distancing, limited occupancy, and increased ventilation). Approved use sites in Texas, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Maryland include intrastate transportation. For a complete listing of approved use sites, please visit EPA’s website.

When deployed in mass transit environments, the system will help protect passengers, operators and other transit employees from the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Grignard Pure is dispensed on-board transit bus and rail vehicles through an adaptive system manufactured by Luminator, a global leader in transit technology and communication solutions.

Grignard Pure is proven to kill 98% of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles in the air, where transmission is most likely. When in use, it delivers continuously effective protection of indoor occupied and unoccupied spaces, including transit buses and railcars.

“While we continue to learn about the characteristics of this virus, ensuring the public has access to the latest information and protections plays a critical role in the recovery of both our national and local economies,” said Etienne Grignard, co-founder and CEO of Grignard Pure. “The EPA approval of Grignard Pure allows entities in these states to deploy science-based technology solutions to enhance safety. Through this partnership with Luminator, it will help protect transit riders and operators.”

Luminator’s Renew Air Treatment System dispenses the antimicrobial air treatment through a connected, technologically advanced system that measures and automatically adjusts the amount of Grignard Pure that is dispensed. As conditions change due to the opening of doors when passengers embark and disembark the vehicle, the system maintains an effective level to kill 98% of COVID-19 airborne virus particles.

“As the public transportation industry recovers from the global pandemic, we are proud to help support the return of transit ridership through a combination of science and innovation,” said Kirk Goins, CEO of Luminator Technology Group. “In partnership with Grignard Pure, we are providing riders, transit employees and operators the assurance they need to return to work and help passengers reach their destinations safely and efficiently. We expect the implementation of the Renew Air Treatment System will make a lasting impact on restoring ridership, safety and confidence.”

“Over the past fifteen months or so, those of us in public and environmental health have learned much about the properties and behaviors of the virus as we continue to develop and provide best practices for stopping the spread,” said Thomas Hodge, former CDC director of immunogenetics. “We know now with certainty that the virus is airborne, and an antimicrobial air treatment solution is needed to combat the virus particles. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with the Grignard Pure team to assure the effectiveness of the solution can help society restore the social, cultural and business norms we enjoyed pre-pandemic.”