Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

American Airlines' new plane disinfectant works for a full week, but doesn't stop the main way COVID-19 spreads

American Airlines' new plane disinfectant works for a full week, but doesn't stop the main way COVID-19 spreads

The Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency authorization for American Airlines to use a new anti-microbial product to protect against COVID-19 on aircraft surfaces. The new product is effective for up to seven days, making it the longest-lasting surface protection approved by the EPA. While 'SurfaceWise2' protects against surface transmission, the virus is thought to spread mainly through close contact directly between individuals.
American Airlines just added a new weapon to its arsenal for the ongoing fight against the pandemic: a disinfectant that kills COVID-19 on surfaces for a full week after it's applied.

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced on Monday that it had issued an emergency authorization to the state of Texas, allowing the state to clear American Airlines (which is headquartered in Fort Worth) to use the new disinfectant.

The product, known as SurfaceWise2, can kill viruses and bacteria for up to seven days after being applied, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said during a press conference on Monday. Allied BioScience, which manufactures the stuff, is pushing for its permanent approval, Wheeler said.

American Airlines plans to use SurfaceWise 2 for additional protection on its planes, part of an effort to increase consumer confidence and boost demand for air travel, said David Seymour, American Airlines' chief operating officer. Seymour said that the product would be applied to planes via an electrostatic spraying process, similar to what most US airlines are currently using to disinfect planes, as aircraft cycle through the airline's Dallas-Fort Worth hub. The disinfectant's use won't replace regular cleaning.

Although COVID-19 is thought to be able to spread from surface contact, Wheeler admitted that SurfaceWise 2 would not protect against the main way the virus is believed to be transmitted: respiratory droplets and aerosols. "The virus is thought to spread mainly through close contact between individuals," he said.

The emergency authorization was granted only to Texas because no other states applied for it, Wheeler said. Texas-based Total Orthopedics Sports & Spine will also be cleared to use the disinfectant.

"We assume with today's announcement that other states are going to start looking to see if they could apply," Wheeler said. "We can't just give a blanket exemption for another use of the product. We would have to check to see, for example, on the impact on ... different surfaces."

Wheeler said that SurfaceWise 2 was the only product approved by the EPA to last as long as a week.

US airlines have added new cleaning and disinfection procedures as the coronavirus pandemic has shattered demand for air travel. Airlines have previously suggested that the single applications of the disinfectant they currently use could inactivate COVID-19 virus for days, although most airlines carry out the spraying, or fogging, at least daily.

Southwest Airlines, for instance, said that it applies a disinfectant followed by an anti-microbial material every 30 days, which the manufacturer says remains effective for up to three months. The airline also uses a disinfectant nightly and between flights. A spokesperson for the airline said that the technique is certified by the EPA and by Boeing.

"Southwest is confident in our current approach to cleaning but will always monitor the marketplace for approved and emerging innovations that support the well-being and comfort of our Employees and Customers," Southwest said in a statement.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
Western Europe Records Hottest June on Record
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
France Requests Airlines to Cut Flights at Paris Airports Amid Planned Air Traffic Controller Strike
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Hungary's Prime Minister Criticizes NATO's Role in Ukraine
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Hungarian Scientist to Conduct 30 Research Experiments on the International Space Station
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
International Astronaut Team Launched to Space Station
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
Oil Prices Set to Surge After US Strikes Iran
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
×