PORT ORANGE, Fla. — A machine that kills dangerous bacteria in things like ambulances and busses around Central Florida could be poisoning people. WFTV obtained the federal letter halting the use of the Zimek machine at a hospital up north.
Port Orange ambulances use the machine, too. So far, there haven't been any complaints and no workers comp claims.
The system is supposed to be less toxic than a bleach cleanser. It works in a similar way by covering surfaces you can't wipe down, but now they have stopped using it in Port Orange.
In a company video, fog from a Zimek machine floods an ambulance, effectively killing all bacteria and viruses in its path. But the International Association of Firefighters wants agencies to stop using the system after an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) order said two chemicals used with the system were never approved for the "interior of ambulances" and that using them in that way could "cause harm to humans."
"It's just for safety that we go ahead and cease and desist pending that outcome of whatever the results are," explained Chris Weir, Port Orange Fire.
The EPA says people working in ambulances cleaned with the Zimek have ended up with phenol poisoning, which can include burning skin, nausea and sore throat.
Port Orange, which spent $55,000 on the system in 2009, has it locked up now. It has used it on rescue trucks and city buildings. A dozen other places have used it, too, including a Port Orange high school after an illness outbreak last year.
Lynx uses it once a month on all its buses and has no plans to stop. Lynx said it uses only approved chemicals and has had no problems.
It's the improper use of chemicals that Port Orange suspects may have caused problems at another agency and is waiting to hear more about.
"To see if any of the deployment or procedures, any possibility of any changes that will have to be made by Zimek," Weir said.
Zimek sent WFTV the following statement early Tuesday night: "Zimek has not been contacted by the EPA or been served any notification from them. The health and hygiene of our customers and our customers' communities remain our top priority."
When used as directed, Zimek says, the system is safe.
WFTV
