WARRINGTON'S Own Buses has become the first bus company in the world to install air cleaning devices in its drivers' cabins.
Following 'emerging evidence' around the airborne transmission of coronavirus, the devices have been installed across the bus company's entire fleet to protect drivers from transmission.
AirLabs’ AirBubbl cleaning devices filter more than 95 per cent of airborne viruses and contaminated matter, flooding the vehicle with 30,000 litres of clean air every hour.
Stephen Stringer, head of engineering at Warrington’s Own Buses, said: "The priority for us is to protect the health and safety of our employees, who provide an essential service, and of course for our customers, the people of Warrington.
"By installing the AirBubbl devices we’re ensuring that we can reduce the risk of exposure for our staff, who have done a fantastic job in serving Warrington during this crisis."
The London-based company behind the AirBubbl device is now focusing on a new air cleaning solution for passenger cabins on buses, coaches and trains.
AirLabs aims to install the first passenger protection units with partners by October.
Marc Ottolini, CEO of Airlabs, said: "As lockdowns continue to ease around the world, the focus now shifts to how we can get back to business safely.
"There is increasing acceptance of the role of aerosol transmission of this virus and that the dose matters, as higher exposures can lead to more severe illness.
"By installing our cutting-edge technology, you can massively reduce this dose and therefore the risk of infection.
"We have had significant global interest in our air cleaning technology since the virus struck and believe that it can play a major role in reducing the risk of exposure on public transport for drivers and passengers."
A leading group of more than 200 scientists wrote to the World Health Organisation last week to call for greater acknowledgement of the role of airborne spread of Covid-19 and the need for governments to implement control measures.
In response, members of the World Health Organisation’s technical committee have said that ‘evidence is emerging’ around the airborne transmission of the virus and they are now working on publishing a scientific brief on the topic.
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