Vajra Kavach, a product that removes all the viral particles from the equipment used by the corona warriors. This is a disinfectant system that not only protects the warriors but also helps reduce biomedical waste by enabling Personal Protective Equipment, N95 masks, coats, gloves and gowns for reuse. This system was developed by a Mumbai-based startup-Indra Water. It also makes the PPE kits more affordable, available and accessible. This information is stated in a press release shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
It makes work easier by disinfecting the equipment within a few minutes. Abhijit VVR, Co-founder of Indra water, stated that Vajra Kavach enables the reduction of microorganisms by 1,00,000-folds which is 5 log (00.999%) in scientific terms.
The system went through a long process of validation and testing was done by the Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering of IIT Bombay. It was tested with Escherichia virus MS2 and E.coli strain C3000. The bacteria were placed on the PPE kit before it was placed inside the system and was removed after the disinfectant cycle time. It was later rescanned to assist the growth or reduction of the virus. Abhijit went on to explain how the system is well-equipped with a multistage disinfection process and consists of advanced oxidation, corona discharge and UV-C light spectrum to inactivate the viruses, bacteria, and other microbial strains present on the PPE, achieving more than 99.999% efficiency.
The idea of Vajra Kavach was conceived during the nationwide lockdown in March 2020. We began to think about what exactly we could do to help the country fight the pandemic.
Vajra Kavach is also working on their second version which would be more user-friendly and compact. Indra water is a 20 member startup. They aim to work on the treatment and disinfection of wastewater discharged from apartments, industry, factories, etc.
Written By: Raksha Arun