Duke has found a new, innovative piece of tech to protect its athletes. The school announced a partnership with Vital Vio, a company using LED light to kill bacteria and stop the spread of infection.
Using White Light Disinfection LED technology, Vital Vio protects against common bacteria like e. coli, salmonella, c. diff and MRSA. The difference between this and other germ-killing UV lighting is its harmlessness to humans. Vital Vio’s lighting emits antimicrobial wavelengths and has been tested and certified by International Electrotechnical Commission standards.
“Duke Athletics is always looking for proactive ways to help protect our student-athletes and staff,” Bob Weiseman, Duke’s Associate Director of Athletics/Athletic Facilities, Game Operations and Championships, said in a statement. “We researched and tested different lighting solutions for several years but struggled to find the right combination of safe, effective light and ease of functionality until we encountered Vital Vio. We are delighted to install Vital Vio’s first class product in our athletic facilities as we build and renovate spaces.”
Duke has installed systems at multiple locations on campus including the Scott Family Athletics Performance Center’s renovated athletics facility and the Duke Softball Stadium. All it takes is the flip of a switch and Vital Vio illuminates the area and kills germs.
The partnership puts Duke ahead of the curve in terms of in terms of athlete safety as it is the first college athletics program to team with Vital Vio.
Said Vital Vio CEO and co-founder Colleen Costello in a statement, “Duke has a long tradition of leading the way. As the first university athletics program to make the switch to VioSafe™ lighting that multi-tasks to safely and continuously kill germs, it is abundantly clear how deeply committed the facilities managers and trainers are to the safety and wellbeing of their student athletes. We are pleased to be able to meet Duke’s needs in adding this new layer of infection prevention.