BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. — Sunlight may be the best disinfectant, but lightbulbs from a Colorado company might be the second best bet.
Puro UV Disinfectant Lighting is a company out of Lakewood that has gained significant attention recently as a possible solution for businesses looking to open up in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Its light flash emits a broad-spectrum UV pulse that kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.
The company originally made lights to disinfect hospital rooms. After the novel coronavirus hit, companies across the country are seeking the technology. One of the first, Breckenridge Grand Vacations, has partnered with Puro to provide disinfectant for every hotel room in its major hotels.
“We've taken the human clean that we had before and we layer technology on top of that,” explained Mike Dudick, the CEO of Breckenridge Grand Vacations. “We can say with absolute certainty, that we've done the absolute best to kill any remaining virus.”
The group’s hotels in Breckenridge opened on June 1, and Dudick says the disinfecting lights are crucial to making customers feel safe.
"I think it's important that the traveling public know that there's an option for them that can provide levels of disinfection that they're not used to,” he said. “That will become a critical distinction for consumers going forward.”
The device, about the size of a book, is left in a hotel room for 30 minutes after regular cleaning. Every 15 seconds a flash from the device emits a broad-spectrum UV pulse that spreads throughout the room. By the end of the cycle, the room might look the same, but the bacteria and viruses are virtually eliminated.
“I think there's going to be a new way to look at safety going forward. That's, 'how is my biological and physical safety being looked after by the place I'm staying in?” said Dudick.
According to the hotel group managers, Puro may light the way for other hotels as well.
“We can't prevent all COVID in our buildings, but what we can do is be very forward thinking and doing the best we can to mitigate it at every possible turn.”
