Kits Can Play a Key Role in Protecting Employees, Maintaining Business Continuity

Originally developed by DuPont as an element in its own disease preparedness plan for its employees, the DuPont^TM Personal Biosecurity Kits and the DuPont^TM Worksite Biosecurity Kits are now available to other organizations interested in maintaining the well-being of employees and ensuring business continuity in the event of a disease outbreak. In addition, the company is making available the DuPont^TM Biosecurity Kit for the Farm to help prevent and control the spread of viruses in the farm environment.

“For more than 200 years, DuPont has been delivering both innovations and “know-how” that make people’s lives safer and better,” said Nick Fanandakis, vice president and general manager – DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise. “For some companies, it is simple to transition employees from working in the office to working from home. But when workers’ jobs require a high degree of personal contact, working from home is not an option. For these companies, the DuPont^TM Worksite Biosecurity Kit can be an effective piece of a larger plan to reduce employee exposure to a broad range of viruses and bacteria and keep their businesses staffed and running.”

The DuPont^TM Personal and Worksite Biosecurity Kits were developed to help users comply with the four primary non-pharmacological measures that reduce the spread of germs:

• Covering nose and mouth to reduce large droplet spread
• Effective hand hygiene
• Surface disinfection
• Reduction of person-to-person contact through early diagnosis of infection

DuPont has a long history in the field of emergency disease response. In June, DuPont^TM Virkon® S disinfectant and virucide, a key component in the DuPont^TM Biosecurity Kit for the Farm, was made available to 69 countries at the request of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help control the spread of avian flu in the farm environment. In May, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchased approximately 75,000 DuPont^TM Tychem® garments to be worn by USDA workers while handling infected game and poultry.

In mid-2005, DuPont established an inter-disciplinary team to prepare for the potential impact of an avian flu pandemic on its employees and its business. The DuPont^TM Worksite Biosecurity Kits for corporate environments evolved from these discussions, with the final kit contents based on recommendations of DuPont medical professionals and industrial hygienists.

“To ensure the kits contained the most effective items, we evaluated and sourced the best products from inside and outside the company,” Fanandakis said. “We also took steps to ensure the kits maintain a shelf life of up to five years where permitted by regulatory agencies.”

The contents of the three kits are described below.

DuPont^TM Personal Biosecurity Kit

This kit contains tools to help reduce the spread of and exposure to viruses or bacteria in personal workspaces. It includes:

• A two-week supply of DuPont^TM RelyOn^TM Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner (DuPont^TM RelyOn^TM MDC)
• Two-oz DuPont^TM RelyOn^TM Antiseptic Hand Spray
• 1 digital thermometer
• 30 three-ply surgical masks
• 2 pairs of nitrile gloves
• User guide

Travel bag DuPont^TM Worksite Biosecurity Kit

This kit contains tools to help reduce the spread of and exposure to viruses or bacteria across the worksite. The worksite kit is ideal for high-exposure areas and sanitation staff. It includes:

• A 5-kg tub of DuPont^TM RelyOn^TM MDC area disinfectant and 3 spray bottles
• 10 DuPont^TM Tyvek® coveralls
• 1 reusable infrared thermometer with 1,000 alcohol wipes for cleaning
• 10 N-95 particulate respirators
• 20 surgical masks
• 50 pairs of nitrile gloves
• 3 pairs of splash-resistant goggles
• User guide

DuPont^TM Biosecurity Kit for the Farm

This kit evolved as a natural outgrowth of DuPont experience in animal health and biosecurity offerings for the farm. It contains tools to help control the spread of viruses among animals and between animals and humans in the farm environment – which means viruses are reduced at the source, reducing the likelihood of an outbreak. This kit includes:

• DuPont^TM Virkon® S Disinfectant and Virucide
• DuPont^TM Tyvek® hooded coveralls
• DuPont^TM Tychem® QC bib-style apron
• DuPont^TM RelyOn^TM Antiseptic Hand Spray
• Rubber boots
• Goggles
• 2 pairs of 3-mil nitrile gloves
• N-95 particulate respirator
• Illustrated instructions

“We must remember that nothing is more important than sustaining life,” said Mr Holliday, Jr. “Much of what we do as a company is focused on safety and protection, and the DuPont^TM Biosecurity Kits are another example of this commitment. In the spirit of cooperation and in response to interest from like-minded companies, we are now making these Biosecurity Kits available to other organizations preparing for the possibility of an influenza outbreak.”

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

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