Phigenics Patented Legionella Testing Technology Expands To International Markets

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Phigenics LLC, the water services company who is revolutionizing water management with smart analytics software and innovative biological hazard analyses, announced today that it has launched a licensing practice for its patented Legionella testing technology. Conforlab Engenharia Ambiental LTDA of Sao Paulo, Brazil, signed on as the first licensee in December 2012.

Through this licensing arrangement, Conforlab will be providing the patented Phigenics Validation Test (PVT) for validation of biological hazard control in potable and utility water systems throughout all major regions of South America. Conforlab analysts received onsite training at the Phigenics laboratory in Naperville to receive the required certification. Conforlab is now in position to receive the testing materials from Phigenics and to conduct the PVT test from their own laboratory in Sao Paulo. Conforlab will also be utilizing Phigenics software to maintain records and report results to its clients.

"We needed a more accurate, faster Legionella testing technology to meet growing customer needs in Brazil for ensuring water safety," said Marcos Bensoussan, President of SETRI, CONSULTORIA EM SUSTENTABILIDADE, Brazil. "In our analysis, Phigenics offers the best available solution that is practical to apply in the field and an improvement in testing accuracy and speed as compared to conventional methods."

It has been a pleasure working with Conforlab in creating our first licensing arrangement for our Legionella testing technology," said Dr. William McCoy, Chief Technology of Phigenics and author of "Preventing Legionellosis." Conforlab has the necessary technical and professional skills to ensure high quality Legionella testing services and we are delighted to bring them on as a customer. We look forward to expanding our licensing practice to other qualified analytical laboratories as we move forward in solving the problem of Legionellosis across global markets."

According to the US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are 4,000 deaths from legionellosis each year in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, between 8,000 and 18,000 people are afflicted with Legionnaires' disease in the U.S. and death can occur in up to 5% to 30% of cases. The number of annual cases in Europe is estimated by the World Health Organization at around 10,000 and the total global number of cases is many multiples of that.

The Phigenics Validation Test (PVT) incorporates a patented TimeZero test method that inoculates Legionella bacteria immediately on-site using a dipslide field sampler format. This protocol returns more accurate and faster testing results than conventional methods such as the Legionella ISO 11731 spread plate method. For more information on the Phigenics Validation Test go to:  http://www.phigenics.com/legionella-testing.

About Phigenics

Phigenics is a water management services company that provides independent expert guidance and advanced technologies to facility owners and managers, infection prevention and environmental health and safety personnel to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and overall safety of all water systems. Phigenics does not sell water treatment equipment or chemicals and is not biased toward any particular treatment technology or supplier. Clients include a diverse mix of industry and government leaders in healthcare, commercial, institutional, military and manufacturing facilities, and Value Added Resellers (VARs) within the water management industry. Typically for our clients, water processing utility costs are reduced 5-20% and water safety is quantitatively improved. Our smart analytics systems provide affordable secure access to the right information when you need it from anywhere at any time, and are uniquely positioned to drive efficiency and quality for large multi-facility operations. Phigenics Analytical Services Laboratories are certified as proficient in the Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are EPA-NELAP certified for the analysis of drinking water. www.phigenics.com.

About SETRI  

SETRI provides expert services in helping facility managers in Brazil develop their Water Safety Plans. SETRI follows the HACCP-based risk management process recommended by WHO for hazard analysis and control of Legionella in all building water systems. www.setri.com.br.

SOURCE Phigenics LLC