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08/04/2018 09:36 AMTopped by an outsized digital timer that was pegged at 45 minutes, and a color-bar UV Index lit up to indicate moderate ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, Branford's new SOLaware™ Display hit the beach for the first time at Branford Point on Thursday, August 2.
Officials from the town, the district health department and SOLaware™ Technologies were on hand to unveil the portable unit on a bright, sunny day at the town beach.
Several beachgoers couldn't resist coming up to the self-contained unit (about the size and height of roadside traffic sign) to learn more about how direct sunlight could impact them at that moment. According to real-time analysis being gathered by sensors on the device, the clock was already ticking on potential skin and eye damage for anyone who wasn't playing it safe in the sun exposure department. The display automatically adjusts its time display and UV index indicator as it detects increases or decreases in risk.
At 2 p.m. on this August day, the SOLaware display showed that sun damage – which can cause sunburn, skin aging, eye damage and skin cancer -- was underway and would be at its worst within 45 minutes for anyone without properly applied sunscreen (SPF 30 or more) or wearing UV protective clothing/sunglasses.
The news was sobering, but it was also supplied with SOLaware's educational safety tips and preventative assistance at hand. In Branford, that includes an optional touchless dispenser on the unit, which puts free SPF 30+ sunscreen at the public's fingertips.
"If you don't put it on now; then in 45 minutes, it's too late," explained Ferenc Fazekas, project lead of SOLaware™ Technologies division. "It's an urgency factor: do it now; don't have unprotected sun exposure. By the time accumulating, you have damage."
SOLaware™ Technologies was launched two years ago at Quinnipiac University's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as a student project led by Fazekas, an M.B.A. and Hungarian Fulbright Scholar. Now based in Hamden as a Division of Vanessa Research, Inc., SOLaware™ Technologies is rolling out it's display pilot program this summer.
First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove said the Town of Branford is one of the first in the state to sign on to lease a SOLaware display from the new start-up tech firm. Branford joins five participating towns including Guilford, North Haven, Wallingford, Middletown and Darien; with Milford in line to be next.
"I had a meeting with Ferenc and SOLaware in Mike Freda's [First Selectman] office in North Haven," said Cosgrove. "They explained the technology and what they're doing to raise awareness to the potential dangers of exposure to the sun. I thought it would be good for Branford."
Cosgrove brought the idea to Alex Palluzzi, Branford's director of Parks and Recreation. Palluzzi had also recently heard about the tech, through a presentation hosted by East Shore District Health Department (ESDHD). Next, Cosgrove and Palluzzi met with SOLaware to determine what type of unit would work best for Branford.
"We elected to get the portable model," said Cosgrove. "As it was mentioned during the meetings; at the beach, most people come prepared and aware to reapply [sun screen]; but when you go to the parks or any number of events, like those on the town green; it may not be top of mind. But you're still being exposed to harmful rays. So we plan to move it around, and bring it to some of our larger events, so we can put it out to raise awareness."
As part of Branford's SOLaware display, ESDHD will provide free sunscreen from a touchless dispenser that will be installed on the unit, said Barbara Naclerio, ESDHD Health Educator.
"We're supplying free sunscreen for people because we take sun-damaged skin very seriously. And by providing the sunscreen, there's no excuse not to use it," said Naclerio.
She noted teens are especially at risk because they often don't think about bringing sunscreen to the beach. Naclerio also said ESDHD would love to see more SOLaware displays in the district. ESDHD covers the towns of Branford, North Branford and East Haven.
"We have a lot of people who go to the beach, and a lot of boaters. So I'm hoping that at some point this gets expanded; because we see a lot of people having to go to the dermatologist for skin cancer and skin damage and at younger ages," said Naclerio.
Branford's SOLaware portable display runs on batteries charged overnight. The display also includes an educational board spelling out AWARE as easy ways to safely enjoy the time spent under the sun: Apply sunscreen, Wear protective gear, Avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and then Enjoy the outdoors.
For the 2018 pilot season, SOLaware devices are being leased to businesses and municipalities at a discounted price. Branford's expenditure for the unit is $500.
By bringing in the SOLaware display, Cosgrove said Branford is supporting its residents while also following through on the town's continuing efforts to support the advance of tech-innovation companies here and statewide.
"We really have two stories here," said Cosgrove. "There's the technology and bringing awareness to residents of Branford; but I also think we have a lot of innovative people here in Connecticut who are establishing companies. And that's a great thing not only for our town, but our state. We focus so much on the negatives [statewide] but there are a lot of [innovators]. And this company, and the program that they're part of, is one of them."
In February, Cosgrove and Branford Special Projects-Economic Development's Terry Elton attended an orientation session organized by the state of CT's life science startup accelerator, Accelerator for Biosciences in Connecticut (ABCT), a CTNext partner program. The gathering, held at Stony Creek Brewery, was also a celebration of ABCT's first cohort of 12 winning startups in a competitve entry program. The program provides six months of support to help the startups develop their technologies into successful businesses.
"Ferenc and his team participated in that," said Cosgrove. "They were one of the 12 selected entrepreneurs."
Fazekas said he and his team appreciate the support of Branford and other participating towns and organizations in the state.
"These communities are responding to our pilot program, which is our first commercial roll out," said Fazekas.
For more information, visit SOLawareTech.com, email info@SOLawaretech.com or call (833) 765-2974