The Environmental Protection Agency approved the first disinfectant that provides lasting coverage against coronavirus, frequently killing the virus on surfaces for seven days.
In the coming months, American Airlines will begin applying the product, known as SurfaceWise2, within its entire fleet of aircraft of nearly 1,500 aircraft, said David Seymour, the company’s leading operations officer. Total Orthopaedics Sports and Spine Clinics, Texas, will also use the product at two of its facilities.
“This is a revolutionary step [that should] provide more sustainable coverage in public spaces, expanding customer confidence and resuming air in general and other activities,” EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler said Monday.
Epa approval currently applies to Texas for use in American Airlines amenities and aircraft and in orthopedic amenities.
Wheeler said SurfaceWise2 manufacturer Allied BioScience had also requested widespread approval, which would allow the product to be used on all surfaces. The EPA is working to complete this general approval as soon as it is imaginable and could do so in the coming months, Wheeler added.
Meanwhile, other state agencies would likely request the use of SurfaceWise2 in their states for purposes, adding aviation facilities, as used in Texas, or in other applications, such as schools.
The EPA has made wonderful efforts to approve the use of coronavirus disinfectants. Since March, the agency’s chemicals have approved more than 450 disinfectants capable of fighting coronavirus in order to offload sales opportunities in-store and online, while major brands such as Lysol and Clorox are flying off the shelves.
Maha El-Sayed, clinical director of Allied BioScience, said the company’s product will be as the U.S. continues to reopen its operations “providing an additional layer of uninterrupted protection.”