Toronto, Ontario — Canadian automotive supplier Magna International is seeking a partner to validate that its ozone sanitizing device is capable of killing coronavirus.
The Aurora, Ont.-based company has developed a Puro ozone sanitizing device that could be capable of killing coronavirus and sanitizing medical equipment.
Puro operates on proprietary software developed by Magna and converts oxygen into super-cleaning ozone molecules that quickly kill bacteria and odors. Once the item is sanitized, the device converts the ozone back into oxygen to be safely released. Since there’s no water involved, the device is ideal for sterilizing surfaces that can’t be boiled or otherwise sanitized.
It’s also said to be capable of holding large, oddly sized elements while being safe to use on everyday items, like eating utensils.
The device has already been proven to kill MRSA—Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a difficult-to-treat infection in humans—and other viruses, like H1N1 Influenza. An ozone sanitizing device at the University of British Columbia proved killed MRSA bacteria in 2012.
“We need to validate it to get it out there,” said John O’Hara, president of mechatronics, mirrors and lighting. “It could be a help for hospitals to clean PPE equipment, doctors’ shoes, briefcases, anything you just can’t throw in a washing machine.”
Magna is just one of more than 2,000 Canadian suppliers stepping up to provide aid amid the pandemic.
According to a recent statement, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bain’s office has engaged with more than 2,000 companies since putting out a call last week for manufacturers to help make products for frontline medical workers. Once Bains determines what companies can offer, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada identify what they need before Public Services and Procurement Canada buys products.
Canadian auto suppliers can now tap into a federal $50-million fund if they choose to retool to produce medical equipment desperately needed to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus. To learn more, click here.
