A French company is developing an anti-microorganism and self-cleaning product capable of destroying viruses (including the coronavirus) on contact with light. The fabric is currently in the testing phase in the cities of Paris and Lyon.
It is a fabric that could revolutionize public transport and hygiene problems in public places. The seats of some Parisian buses and line C of the Lyon metro are currently equipped with a fabric capable of destroying viruses themselves. This coating was born in the Trajet-Aunde SME, a company based in Caluire-et-Cuire. “We did some testing internally and we saw that it also worked to kill 99.99% of viruses, germs and bacteria. A result which has been confirmed by an independent laboratory “. Details the company Trajet-Aunde in Figaro.
A fabric that could reassure public transport users
“We developed this fabric five years ago, initially we just wanted a product capable of self-cleaning”, explains the company. But how does this coating work? A liquid will engage and soak the fabric when it comes into contact with light or in the presence of UV. Bacteria or viruses are eliminated in just one minute. The fabric also acts as an air purifier since it destroys airborne virus particles that approach it, reducing the risk of contamination.
The risks of contamination in public transport would be reduced
This is reassuring, according to numerous studies, buses, trams and subways are much safer than one might think. The last study of the Institut Pasteur confirms this trend. However, the risk in transport is not non-existent, but transmission on inanimate surfaces is relatively low.
