The EPA is giving American Airlines approval to use a disinfectant spray to kill COVID-19 germs.
It's the first time the EPA has given approval for a spray intended to kill the coronavirus, and American Airlines is planning to use it to disinfect nearly 1,500 aircraft.
Two healthcare facilities in North Texas have also been approved to use the spray.
The disinfectant, called SufaceWise2, was developed by Dallas-based company Allied BioScience.
"It's the first virucidal, residual technology approved by the EPA to work on viruses and also SARS CoV-2, which causes COVID-19," says Mike Ruley, CEO of Allied BioScience. "It's the first of its kind-- first ever, for the agency."
The EPA says the spray can inactivate the virus for up to seven days, but Ruley says he thinks it works for longer than that.
"We just need to provide the data to the agency for evaluation, but yes-- we think it lasts a lot longer than seven days," he says. "As soon as we can make that claim through the EPA, we will."
Eventually, the EPA says it expects SurfaceWise2 to be available for commercial purchase. Ruley says 150 thousand gallons of the disinfectant can be produced every day and he feels comfortable with the company's ability to meet high demand.
The approval for American Airlines to use the spray came in the form of an emergency exemption, and is only valid in Texas. However, officials say they expect for it to be approved in other states soon.
Ruley say the spray should not be used as a replacement for regular cleaning.
