You’re finally on vacation, eagerly awaiting your flight to a sunny destination. But days later, instead of relaxing on the beach, you’re stuck in bed with a cold or flu. It’s a scenario all too familiar to travelers. Airports, with their close crowds and enclosed spaces, are prime grounds for airborne pathogens. But what if we could change that? There is a way to make airports healthier for everyone: indoor air disinfection.
UV light disinfection is proven technology that’s been underutilized in public spaces. By effectively inactivating viruses, bacteria, and fungi in the air, these types of systems offer a powerful tool to combat the spread of infectious diseases in airports. It’s not just about protecting passengers; it’s about safeguarding airport staff, boosting public health, and even increasing traveler confidence in air travel.
Farlite Solutions offers innovative indoor air disinfection systems that work continuously and automatically, providing a seamless solution to enhance air quality in airports. Contact us to get a custom UV disinfection system quote.
Traveler Wait Times and Pathogen Transmission
The average traveler spends about 2 hours in an airport before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. This includes time for check-in, security screening, and waiting at the gate.
Unfortunately, this time frame is also ample for airborne pathogens to spread. Studies have shown that some respiratory viruses, like influenza, can be transmitted within minutes of exposure to an infected person’s coughs or sneezes. In the close quarters of an airport terminal, this transmission risk is heightened.
History has shown us the risks associated with air travel during outbreaks. SARS, influenza, and more recently, COVID-19, have all demonstrated how easily pathogens can spread through airports and across borders. While airports have implemented enhanced cleaning protocols, these often focus on surfaces, neglecting the air we breathe. It’s time to re-evaluate our approach to air hygiene in airports and consider innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of these environments.
Airport Stats in the U.S.
- Daily Passengers:
- Approximately 2.4 million passengers travel through US airports daily.
- Total Flights:
- An average of 45,000 flights take off and land at US airports each day.
- Roughly 38,000 are domestic flights.
- About 7,000 are international flights.
- Busiest Airports:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the US, serving over 100 million passengers annually.
- Other major hubs include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
Proven Indoor Air Disinfection Using UV Light
The science behind UV disinfection is simple yet effective. When microorganisms are exposed to UV light, the radiation damages their DNA and RNA, rendering them unable to replicate and cause infection. This process is highly efficient, with UV-C systems capable of inactivating up to 99.9% of airborne pathogens in a single pass.
UV light can effectively destroy a range of pathogens, including:
- COVID-19
- Influenza
- Measles
- Chickenpox
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Rhinovirus
UV-C technology isn’t new. It’s been used for decades in healthcare settings, food processing, and water treatment. The key advantage of this type of indoor air disinfection lies in its ability to disinfect the air itself, not just surfaces, making it an ideal solution for the continuous disinfection needs of high-traffic areas like airport terminals.
Upper-room systems, which install UV light-emitting fixtures far above head level and direct the light upwards, are completely safe for occupied spaces. These systems continuously disinfect the air without posing a risk to occupants below. In addition to being highly effective and safe, UV systems are also low maintenance and energy-efficient.
Custom Indoor Air Disinfection Systems for Busy Airports
As we look to the future, indoor UV disinfection in airports has the potential to revolutionize the way we travel. Farlite Solutions is proud to be at the forefront of this revolution, offering innovative indoor air disinfection systems that work continuously and automatically to safeguard public spaces. Our cutting-edge solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate into existing infrastructure, providing a cost-effective and sustainable approach to air hygiene.
If you’re ready to create a healthier, safer environment in your airport, contact Farlite Solutions today. We can provide a custom indoor air disinfection system quote to help protect the health of all your passengers and staff.