Company’s fibers demonstrate ability to kill 99.99% of athlete’s foot cause in 12 hours

Cupron, creator of a copper-based antimicrobial technology, announced today that its pioneering technology has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval to make a first-of-its-kind Public Health Claim.  This is the third EPA Public Health Claim awarded to Cupron and the first highlighting the unique anti-fungal capability of Cupron’s copper-based technology.

In awarding the Public Health Claim, the EPA found that Cupron’s copper-enhanced textile material can kill Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the active fungus in athlete’s foot, by more than 99.9% after 12 hours of contact with the fiber.  The unique Public Health Claim covers the use of Cupron anti-fungal fibers in a variety of settings, including socks, shoe inserts and bathmats.  The EPA designation allows for a variety of marketing claims (see examples below) that will be used by Cupron and Cupron Enhanced partner products beginning in the near future.

“Fungal skin infections such as athlete’s foot are a common and irritating affliction, a condition that has been difficult to prevent and treat successfully,” said Alastair Monk, Cupron Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs.  “This Public Health Claim by the EPA validates the uniqueness and effectiveness of Cupron’s copper-based fiber technology in killing nearly 100% of the underlying fungal cause of athlete’s foot. This technology significantly expands the options available for foot care.”

Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection of the foot that can cause itching, stinging and burning and can be spread by contact with an infected person, their socks, shoes and contaminated surfaces.  Skin fungal infections afflict an estimated 10% to 20% of the U.S. population (between 29 to 59 million individuals) at least once in any given year, with athlete’s foot being the most common[1].   It also has been estimated that up to 70% of the world’s population will experience a cutaneous fungal infection at some point in their lives[2], and 45% of those with athlete’s foot will have recurrent episodes for more than 10 years[3].

In order to submit these claims to the EPA, the textile had to achieve a 100-percent pass rate
at an independent testing facility under the highest laboratory standards.  The samples were tested with simulated wear conditions, environmental conditions and cleaning protocols.  They also had to maintain their efficacy after repeated exposure.

Cupron developed this material with a range of performance characteristics that provides the mechanical properties of high performance textiles, the aesthetics for design flexibility and high antimicrobial and skin enhancement performance.  Cupron technology is different than other antimicrobial fibers due to its performance as demonstrated by multiple public health claims. Because the Cupron technology is embedded within the fiber itself, the material will not lose its effectiveness over time and wear-and-tear.

Cupron-enhanced socks already are issued to select military organizations around the world because of the anti-fungal qualities they possess that can benefit soldiers in the field for multiple days. In 2010, Cupron supplied the trapped Chilean miners with its anti-fungal socks. Although many of the trapped miners had begun to suffer skin-related issues with their feet, upon receiving the Cupron socks, most of the miners saw these problems resolve within a week of wearing the socks.

“We anticipate announcing in the coming months the specific products that will employ the successfully tested Cupron fiber technology,” said Chris Andrews, Cupron President – Americas.  “Our initial focus will be on socks and marketed broadly to those who may suffer from athlete’s foot. Cupron’s assistance to the trapped Chilean miners in 2010 illustrated the clear health benefits of the Cupron technology. Today, we have regulatory validation of this as well. We are excited by our partner relationships that will soon bring these benefits to consumers around the world.”

Specifically, the following statements are included in the EPA registration:

• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will assist in reducing the spread of T. mentagrophytes (athlete’s foot fungus)
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will [reduce, inhibit, suppress, kill] 99.9% of T. mentagrophytes (athlete’s foot fungus) after 12 hours of contact with the [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will inhibit the propagation and harboring of T. mentagrophytes on [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will help to inhibit  the growth of T. mentagrophytes the causative agent of athlete’s foot on [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will help to suppress the growth of T. mentagrophytes the fungus that is the causative agent of athlete’s foot on [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal  fibers will [reduce, inhibit, suppress, kill] 99.9% of the T. mentagrophytes (athlete’s foot fungus) on the [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will inhibit the growth  of T. mentagrophytes, athlete’s foot fungus, on [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers reduce(s) the spread of T. mentagrophytes, athlete’s foot fungus, on the surface of the sock
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers prevent(s) the growth of 99.9% of T. mentagrophytes, athlete’s foot fungus, on the sock
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will [reduce, inhibit, suppress, kill] 99.9% of T. mentagrophytes, athlete’s foot fungus, on the [sock, bathmat, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers significantly reduce(s) 99.9% of T. mentagrophytes, the fungus that causes athlete’s foot on the sock