Gatwick Security Tray UV Anti-Viral Treatment Is UK's First

Gatwick Airport bosses claim to have installed the UK's first ultra-violet light treatment of security trays, as they try to reduce the spread of coronaviruses, and protect passengers and staff.

According to the airport, the system seen in the picture (above) has seen a 99.9% disinfection rate, if every tray is treated by UV light immediately before each passenger uses it.

The system works by passing each tray automatically through a tunnel, bathed in ultra-violet light, and fixed beneath the existing hand-luggage screening system.

Airport officials said the system — by Smiths Detection — is already in use, and will be rolled-out to eight security lanes by the end of October 2020.

The high rate of disinfection caused by the strong UV rays should help to reduce the spread of coronaviruses, including Covid-19, and other infections.

Managers added that the short-wavelength light, more precisely known as UV-C light, is effective against a group of coronaviruses, which include Covid-19 and SARS.

The radiation "warps" the structure of the viruses' genetic material, and prevents the viral particles from replicating.

Staff said they were anxious to point out that the unit where the UV light radiates is completely contained, and there's no risk to passengers or staff.

Already, other anti-viral treatments have been tried, such as coatings sprayed onto trays — but, whereas the chemical systems dissipate over time, the UV-C light bathes the trays immediately before each use.

The airport continues with a group of other measures to reduce the spread of coronaviruses, including frequent, enhanced deep cleaning of common-use surfaces throughout the airport, installation of approx. 500 Perspex screens, social distancing procedures at check in, security and gate rooms, well-spaced seating in departure halls and in restaurants, bars and shops and regularly signposted hand washing facilities and around 200 sanitising stations.

Adrian Witherow, Chief Operating Officer, Gatwick Airport, said:

"The health and wellbeing of our passengers and staff remains our priority.

"The system goes above and beyond the guidelines and we will continue to do everything we can to help reassure our passengers that flying is still a great travelling experience and that the health measures we have in place are effective and easy to follow.

"This new system has proven itself to be extremely reliable and provides a really high degree of reassurance as every single passenger and staff member using the system will have a tray that has only just been disinfected.  

"As an airport, we will continue to explore innovative health solutions like this that reduce the spread of coronaviruses and other infections. "

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation has been used in disinfection applications for over 100 years, often in medical sanitation and sterile work facilities with high hygiene requirements.

Smiths Detection developers said the same technology was leveraged to develop the UV Light Kits for tray disinfection.

Low pressure mercury bulbs emitting short-wavelength ultraviolet C light are used to kill or inactivate microorganisms by disrupting their DNA or RNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions.