AB&I Supports Retooling Project that Extends the Life of Valuable PPE Materials

MCAA members are committed to giving back to their communities. AB&I Foundry is just one example. The company has teamed up with the California Metals Coalition (CMC), Assemblyman Rob Bonta (Alameda County), and MiraCosta College Technology Career Institute (TCI) for a “retooling” project aimed at supporting local first responders during the COVID‐19 pandemic by extending the life of their personal protective equipment (PPE).

The shortage of PPE such as 95 masks can leave health care workers, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at risk. In order to help solve this problem, TCI retooled a portion of their Carlsbad, California location to manufacture portable decontamination kits. In support of their efforts, AB&I Foundry will be donating these kits, valued at $900 each, to four recipients: Highland Hospital, Alameda Hospital, San Leandro Hospital and Roots Community Health Center in Oakland.

Each kit includes a germicidal Ultraviolet (UV‐C) System, which is an environmentally friendly, non‐chemical disinfection process. The state-of-the art system is easy to use, and it is portable. It does not use any harmful chemicals, sprays or solvents, and is safe on all surfaces.

“UV-C Light has been proven to kill germs, viruses and bacteria. At AB&I Foundry we have hired a service that comes in periodically to fully disinfect the foundry as part of our routine maintenance to combat the Coronavirus,” said Michael Lowe, General Manager of AB&I Foundry. “Making this technology available to healthcare workers is our way of helping as we all navigate these difficult times,” he said.

Here’s how it works: The UV-C light is a short-wavelength, ultraviolet light that breaks apart germ DNA, leaving it unable to function or reproduce. In other words, UV-C light is a germicidal that kills or neutralizes “superbugs” like the Coronavirus, germs or any other pathogens on surfaces. The system plugs in to any standard outlet, and within a 2- to 4-minute disinfecting process it can sterilize PPE equipment thus extending the service life of PPE gear. This compact disinfecting kit is 16”x20”x8” and it’s easy and safe to use – just place an item inside the box, close the lid, and the system starts the process of disinfecting. An added safety feature automatically turns off the system if the lid opens.