BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TOMI™ Environmental Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB:TOMZ) ("TOMI" or the "Company"), a global bacteria decontamination and infectious disease control company, is pleased to announce that the Company's proposal "SteraMist Mobile Decontamination Chambers" is one of 15 proposals selected for award by the U.S. Agency for International Development ("USAID"), in the global fight to eradicate Ebola and strengthen local healthcare systems.
"We are embracing a new model of development, one that harnesses the power of science and technology to bend the curve of development," said USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah. "Through the Fighting Ebola Grand Challenge, we will continue to source, test, and scale groundbreaking innovations that will not only save lives in the months to come, but lay the foundation for more resilient and vibrant communities across West Africa."
Dr. Halden Shane, Chief Executive Officer of TOMI™, stated, "The vision of TOMI™ is to be the world's most dynamic science company, creating sustainable solutions essential to better, safer, and healthier lives for people everywhere. The fact that we were awarded an international grant to use our state-of-the-art technology, SteraMist™, to the fullest in the fight against Ebola is humbling. We have always considered ourselves a company that is "Innovating for a Safer World" and that is precisely what this grant will enable us to do. This partnership, led by USAID, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and in close collaboration with the White House Office of Science and Technology, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with the Department of Defense, is an honor. TOMI™'s SteraMist™ Mobile Decontamination Chamber proposal is one of only fifteen proposals selected out of over 1,500 applications submitted from around the world."
TOMI was awarded in the category "Improving the Safety of Health Care Workers" with its SteraMist™ Mobile Decontamination Chambers. These state-of-the-art, easy-to-assemble decontamination chambers from TOMI Environmental Solutions can decontaminate healthcare workers and equipment in less than 3 minutes to a high level of decontamination without the use of hazardous chemicals.
The bleach solutions typically used by healthcare workers in West Africa must remain wet on the surface for at least 10 minutes to be effective but high temperatures and humidity in these environments can cause the bleach products to dry and evaporate before this required time can be achieved. Using a combination of common source materials and TOMI's innovative SteraMist™ decontamination system, these chambers can overcome these challenges and be built quickly and easily retrofitted at various price points. The units can be used to decontaminate PPE as well as durable, portable, and delicate medical equipment including IV stands, specimen carts and bedframes as well as electronics.
Yesterday's announcement by USAID unveils the second wave of award recipients geared to offer innovative solutions for healthcare worker tools, rapidly-deployable care modules, cutting-edge health information technology solutions and fresh community education approaches that are critical for the final stages of the outbreak response. Together, these innovations will work to support the global health goal of getting to zero new Ebola cases and strengthen local healthcare infrastructure. The first announcement was made in December 2015.
Through a whole-of-government approach, USAID and the U.S. Government partners are contributing to mounting an aggressive international effort to fight the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Their goal is to enable the most effective international response possible, using government-wide capabilities to fight the epidemic on a regional basis. For more information on the Fighting Ebola Grand Challenge, visit http://ebolagrandchallenge.net.
About USAID
USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. In order to support these goals, President John. F. Kennedy created the United States Agency for International Development by executive order in 1961. U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's interests while improving lives in the developing world. USAID carries out U.S. foreign policy by promoting broad-scale human progress at the same time it expands stable, free societies, creates markets and trade partners for the United States, and fosters good will abroad. Spending less than 1 percent of the total federal budget, USAID works in over 100 countries to: Promote broadly shared economic prosperity; Strengthen democracy and good governance; Protect human rights; Improve global health, Advance food security and agriculture; Improve environmental sustainability; Further education; Help societies prevent and recover from conflicts; and provides humanitarian assistance in the wake of natural and man made disasters. For more information please visit www.usaid.gov.
About TOMI™ Environmental Solutions, Inc.
TOMI™ Environmental Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB:TOMZ) is a global bacteria decontamination and infectious disease control company, providing eco-friendly environmental solutions for indoor surface and air decontamination through manufacturing, sales, servicing, and licensing of TOMI's Activated Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide (AIHP) mist and fog product SteraMist™ that utilizes TOMI™'s Binary Ionization Technology® (BIT™) platform. TOMI™'s products are designed to service a broad spectrum of commercial structures including medical facilities, office buildings, hotel and motel rooms, schools, restaurants, meat and produce processing facilities, military barracks, and athletic facilities. TOMI™'s products and services have also been used in single-family homes and multi-unit residences.
TOMI™ also develops training programs and application protocols for its clients and is a member in good standing with The American Biological Safety Association, The American Association of Tissue Banks, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, The Restoration Industry Association, Indoor Air Quality Association and The International Ozone Association.
For additional product information, visit www.tomiesinc.com or contact the Company at info@tomiesinc.com.
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