For everyone's information, it has been asked several times in this forum if Xenex is a threat to AsepticSure. This question was presented to Dr. Shannon, and he sent the following reply to Bruce Smeaton, who gave permission to post this on the board:
"One of the problems we have with Xenex is that they have not published in a peer reviewed journal and it is difficult to find any hard microbiology data to support their claim that their system is "20 times better than normal cleaning". So based on available literature, I have three points to make:
1. If the best "normal cleaning" can achieve in a hospital under supervised conditions is a 2 log kill (latest published literature) and Xenex is "20 times better", then Xenex can achieve about a 3 - 3.5 log kill. For the record, and already published in the American Journal of Infection Control, AsepticSure can achieve a sustainable level of disinfection of at least 6 logs which is 1000 times greater than Xenex and 10,000 times greater than "normal cleaning" methods.
2. If Xenex's efficacy is achieved through ultra violet light, understand that the intensity of that light drops off as the square root of the distance between the light source and the surface being disinfected. Therefore, unless the unit is moved to many different locations in the room, the efficacy of the system is of questionable significance in the periphery.
3. Once again, if the primary effect of Xenex is achieved through UV light, then I would be very concerned about a "shadow effect". In other words, what about contaminants on the far side of a toilet or bed or curtains or TV's or around the corner in an L shaped room?
In conclusion, Xenex may be of some use in high traffic areas for partially disinfecting high touch surfaces, but AsepticSure cleans an entire room and everything in it including carpets, curtains, walls and ceilings. It can actually clean any room to a level equal to or higher than the surgical equipment used in operations, 6 -7 logs.
The bottom line? There is no comparison. Xenex is an inferior product that commands a cheaper price. You get what you pay for these days."
