NHS Trials “Unique” New Decontamination Tech to Reduce COVID Transmission Indoors

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19 October 2020

The NHS is trialling a new technology solution which claims to replicate the science of outdoor air in indoor spaces.

Airora Professional, developed by PA Consulting (PA) and Hydroxyl Technologies Ltd (HTL)  is being trialled in four UK hospitals.

It claims to be effective on all airborne and surface pathogens including coronavirus, influenza, norovirus, e-coli and MRSA. 

 

“HTL’s revolutionary technology has significant potential to reduce the danger from airborne and surface-adhering viruses and bacteria in numerous populated public spaces, helping to reduce the risk of infection during the current COVID-19 pandemic.”

–Wil Schoenmakers

Global Head of Consumer and Manufacturing, PA Consulting

A “Cascade of Hydroxyl Radicals” to Lower Viral Risk

Unlike filter-based systems, which can only clean the air that passes through them, Airora creates a continuous cascade of hydroxyl radicals, which are delivered everywhere in the room, decontaminating the space, lowering the risk of new viral or bacterial loads building up. The hydroxyls inactivate up to 99.9999 per cent of pathogenic airborne viruses and bacteria, and simultaneously reduce the bio-load on surfaces, while people safely move about in the space.

HTL says that Airora’s technology has been extensively tested by numerous accredited laboratories around the world, including the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) at Porton Down.

The patented technology works as a wall-mounted device and can “significantly suppress the ability for the virus to spread indoors.”

This type of technology could play an important role in reducing COVID-19 transmission rates during the current pandemic, and help businesses in struggling industries get closer to resuming normal levels of operation.

NHS trials of the technology, being managed by Airora channel partner, Althea UK & Ireland, are commencing this week in two leading UK hospitals followed by another two in November. 

The devices will be going into three to four selected wards in each of the hospitals, including inpatient surgery, outpatient surgery, spinal injury and waiting rooms. The outcomes of the hospital pilots are expected in mid-November. 

Potential for use in Schools, Universities, Bars and Offices

The first non-NHS unit is being shipped to the UAE this week for a pilot in that region. Airora is also in discussion with channel partners that could roll out the products in care homes, other medical care and veterinary facilities, business offices, schools & universities, restaurants & bars, public transport and private homes. 

Conversations about further deployment of the technology are already underway with major distributors in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Thailand, Bangladesh and India, as well as a major European hub airport. Four UK high street names are also planning pilot installations on the back of the NHS trials in the coming weeks and months.

Bringing New Protection to Frontline Key Workers

Gideon Davenport, CEO of Hydroxyl Technologies, said: “These NHS trials build upon 15 years of technological development and are an exciting first step to bringing a UK invention to market to help protect us all from airborne pathogens like COVID-19. 

“PA’s expertise has readied our Airora Professional product in just seven short months, and together with our channel partner Althea UK, we are pleased to bring the protection of the Airora products to frontline healthcare workers.”

Wil Schoenmakers, Global Head of Consumer and Manufacturing at PA Consulting, added: “It is very exciting to see Airora Professional being piloted in NHS hospitals, which we expect to be a success and trigger the widespread adoption of the technology across industries.

“HTL’s revolutionary technology has significant potential to reduce the danger from airborne and surface-adhering viruses and bacteria in numerous populated public spaces, helping to reduce the risk of infection during the current COVID-19 pandemic.”

Picture: a photograph of a medic wearing a white coat and blue protective gloves

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 19 October 2020

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