Fri, Jul 21, 2006
Uses Heat, Humidity To Decontaminate Planes
Could a machine one day stop the
spread of a global pandemic through the air? That's the question
Dr. Ronald Brown, and his partners at AeroClave LLC, are working to
answer inside a large trailer at Orlando International Airport.
The Orlando Sentinel reports the company has moved up from its
initial "office" -- a card table, shaded by the wing of a derelict
DC-9 at the airport -- and AeroClave hopes to receive FAA
certification soon as a recognized method to decontaminate
planes.
"We believe AeroClave's technology may be promising, but its
efficacy is for medical authorities to determine," said FAA
spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen.
So, how does it work? The machine -- which fits on a
tractor-trailer, so it isn't exactly small -- consists of large
hoses that can be secured into an airplane... or another large
structure like a storm shelter, or underground subway station...
and blows superheated, humid air or chemicals into its contaminated
target.
Brown says the machine kills flu germs... anthrax spores... and
many other potential dangers to airline passengers.
Of course, the company also has to demonstrate that the machine
won't damage whatever structure it is decontaminating... but Brown
says he's optimistic that Airbus and Boeing will verify the machine
is safe to use on their planes.
So far, several big names -- including Pentagon officials, and
Florida Governor Jeb Bush -- have reportedly expressed interest in
the system... but no takers just yet.
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