Hong Kong Airport Installs Full-body Disinfecting Booths
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In a bid to control the spread of coronavirus around the world, several airports are leveraging innovative germ-busting technology.
Last month, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) began trialing the world’s first CleanTech machine at Hong Kong International Airport, which will essentially disinfect people’s entire bodies.
Users will be subject to a temperature check to rule out an elevated fever before being permitted to step inside the CLeanTech booth for 40 seconds of disinfection and sanitizing procedures.
The process involves a two-pronged approach; first, the CLeanTech machine uses a UV-based disinfection method to kill bacteria and viruses on the human body using technologies called photocatalyst and “nanoneedles.” To avoid cross-contamination between the outside and inside the environment, the booths are kept under negative pressure. Then a sanitizing spray is applied, consisting of BioEm Air Sanitizing and Purifying liquid, designed to disinfect clothing and passengers’ carry-on luggage.
At present, the airport staff responsible for assessing passengers for public health and quarantine purposes are trialing the booths.
Virus-fighting Efforts at Hong Kong Airport
In addition to the CLeanTech booths, the airport is using intelligent sterilization robots, equipped with ultraviolet light and air sterilizers to clean high-traffic areas of the terminal and restrooms. The AA reports that these robots can sterilize 99.99% of airborne and surface-based bacteria within 10 minutes.
Antimicrobial coating (a spray that kills germs, bacteria, and viruses) is being applied to surfaces including handles, seats on shuttle buses and trains, check-in desks, baggage claims, and elevator buttons. If these methods prove effective, it’s expected that authorities at Hong Kong International Airport will adopt these procedures for the long-term.
“The safety and wellbeing of airport staff and passengers are always our first priority,” said Deputy Director, Service Delivery Steven Yiu in a press release. “Although air traffic has been impacted by the pandemic, the AA spares no effort in ensuring that the airport is a safe environment for all users. We will continue to look into new measures to enhance our cleaning and disinfection work.”
Image Credit: Hong Kong International Airport