CA BIN H Y GIENE EPA
DISINFECTION
SERVICE
AIRE offers a disinfection service for entire cabin and
cargo compartments, which involves the release of disinfectant
through nebuliser machines, followed by a deep spray and scrub
process, in compliance with the substance composition required
by EASA in its SDs. The products used are bactericidal, fungicidal,
virucidal and mycobactericidal and, according to AIRE, have been
found effective against coronavirus families.
Upon request, AIRE can also include a dry-cleaning and
vacuuming service for carpets. Full cabin and cargo area
cleaning and disinfection takes up to two hours for
a narrow-body aircraft, and up to four hours for a widebody.
At the end of the entire process, AIRE releases
a certificate of disinfection.
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
086 JUNE 2020
APPROVED
DISINFECTANT
Celeste’s Sani-Cide EX3, a broad-spectrum disinfectant
and multi-purpose cleaner, has been included on EPA’s ‘List N:
Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2’, the novel coronavirus
that causes Covid-19. The solution is sprayed or wiped on surfaces,
and Celeste says the product has demonstrated effectiveness against
viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2 on hard, non-porous surfaces and is thus
suitable for use on seats, walls, carpets, tray tables, windows, overhead
bins, lavatories, galley workspaces, windows and mirrors.
The product has also been tested to be effective
against Feline Calicivirus (a surrogate for Norovirus),
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus,
Salmonella enterica, Influenza A, and Influenza B.
The active ingredient is lactic acid, a natural,
organic acid commonly used as a food
preservative, in conjunction with
synergistic boosting agents.
TAKE HYGIENE
INTO YOUR OWN
HANDS
Most passengers will carry a bottle of hand sanitiser on board, but airlines
can enable passengers to take safeguarding their hygiene a step further with
Health-PAX, a system which places a touchless sanitiser at each seat. Each seat row
is connected to a reservoir containing a choice of hand washes with or without alcohol,
which is sprayed onto hands when placed under the dispenser,. Outlets can be installed
in areas including the armrest, PSU or tray table areas. As an option, the system can be
modified to spray the entire aircraft cabin without human intervention.
The price of the system has not been determined yet, but its developer, SaniTene, says
it will work out less expensive for airlines than cleaning aircraft after every flight, especially
as once installed, very little maintenance is required. The company says the design’s use
and technology has been FDA, CDC, WHO and industry approved.
John Squicciarini, president of SaniTene states, ‘There is no reasonable reason to
completely disinfect and sanitise aircraft after fights – just provide passengers and
crew with the ability to keep dangerous pathogens and other infectious agents from
entering their bodies. The project lets passengers see, feel and smell their ability
to clean, not just be notified that the aircraft was cleaned.”
The company conducted a survey of 4,264 passengers and crew in four
international airports and found that 96% of had
strong opinion that such technology should
be mandated. 100% reported they
would be very likely to use it.
Anti-viral surfaces
experts converge
International coatings specialists from
academia and industry are gathering
virtually at the UK’s Royal Society of
Chemistry to discuss how special surface
technologies can be used to tackle Covid-19.
Helen Pain, CEO of the Royal Society of
Chemistry explains, “Bringing together the
biggest and brightest names in materials
research to tackle this issue is of paramount
importance. While we already have a
number of technologies and techniques
at our disposal, there is a clear need to
accelerate research output.”
“It’s crucial that the direction taken from
here is representative of the diverse range of
views and experience from across the antiviral
community, which is why we are calling
on anyone with relevant insights to join our
Surface Coatings Interest Group.”
A key participant, Stuart Clarke, professor
of surface science at Cambridge University
adds, “There is an acute need to provide
new information and insight about anti-viral
surfaces and coatings in the current climate,
particularly to confirm antiviral behaviour
and get appropriate products to market and
into use promptly. The Surface Coatings
Group is trying to connect individuals and
organisations with relevant products to
specialised anti-viral testing facilities.”
Advanced discussions are continuing
on a dedicated collaborative Slack platform,
which is open to new participants.
Visit rsc.li/surfacecoatings.
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com