Apr 28 2009
The Handler, a novel hand held barrier device costing just $10.95, is one of the first truly practical and affordable tools designed to give the general public a simple and truly effective way to navigate germ ridden public spaces without coming in contact with common surfaces known to transmit infectious diseases. Diseases prevalent in heavily traveled places include norovirus, drug resistant MRSA, and now the Swine Flu virus. The Handler, which fits conveniently on a key-chain, simply breaks the cycle of transmission leaving the dreaded culprits at the door -- literally.
The Handler
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that almost 70% of common colds, flu’s and staph infections are transmitted through shared contact with common surfaces and has confirmed that people may become infected with Swine flu by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose. As a first line of defense, the Handler is equipped with a retractable armature that allows the user to interact with the most egregious of unsanitary surfaces like door handles, elevator buttons, and ATM keypads without actually making direct contact with them.
What makes the Handler so unique is that its rubber and plastic components are infused with antimicrobial silver particles which inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, fungi and many other microbes which could foul the Handler’s surface. These antimicrobial particles begin to work on contact and continue to protect the Handler’s surface from fouling for the life of the product.
The Handler’s spring activated rubberized gripping armature was designed to easily pull open doors, even heavy ones requiring up to 60 lbs of force, and the device is agile enough to actuate most public restroom levers, buttons and keypads so reviled by millions of germ conscious Americans.
Maker Enterprises LLC, a Los Angeles based product development company led by brothers Paul and Jeff Metzger, introduced their self-sanitizing device after several independent laboratory tests were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the nano silver particles contained in the Handler (report available). “Even with impressive documentation given to us by our supplier, we still wanted to be absolutely certain that the performance of the infused silver particles met our own expectations, especially since my brother and I were going to be the Handler’s very first customers,” said Paul Metzger, a former public defender turned entrepreneur.
“We felt that if it worked to our satisfaction, there would be millions of people like us who would much rather put their hands on a Handler than on a public restroom door handle,” his brother Jeff Metzger added. “We knew that, based on market research, as many as 60% of people have the same concerns that we do, especially with the potential for pandemics like the Swine or Bird Flu’s on our collective horizon.”
The Handler is available in a variety of colors at handlerusa.com for $10.95 (+S&H). Visit the Handler website for more information about disease transmission and the Handler’s antimicrobial technology.