May 8th, 2020 – As travelers begin to make plans to fly again and airlines work nonstop to ensure the health and wellness of their customers, Long Island MacArthur Airport becomes the first airport in the world to install and activate new systems to continuously sanitize air and surfaces in the airport’s facilities.
“Long Island MacArthur Airport has been working hard to help facilitate economic recovery in our region following the Covid-19 crisis. We expect to do this in a way that is wise, based on science and fact, and makes our customers and employees feel completely safe returning to air travel,” said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.The CASPR (“Continuous Air and Surface Pathogen Reduction”) system extracts oxygen and moisture from ambient air and uses a natural catalytic converter process to produce and deliver trace levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to indoor spaces. Currently used in hospitals and medical facilities, the sanitizing system is completely safe for all occupied spaces.
“Our airlines realize the importance of a complete commitment to customers’ health and safety to inspire a comfortable return to travel in the months ahead,” said Long Island MacArthur Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken. “Long Island also understands the need to innovate with sanitation plans to be ready to welcome back travelers in a way that is wise in the new environment,” she added.Unlike chemical or ultraviolet sanitation options, CASPR’s Natural Catalytic Converter method of producing trace levels of H2O2, is comparable to levels found in nature. The system provides the benefit of continuous protection from viruses and bacteria, both airborne and on surfaces.
Once in the air, at levels deemed by OSHA to be safe to people, pets, plants, and equipment, hydrogen peroxide seeks and destroys viruses, bacteria, mold, and fungi in the air and on surfaces. Independent testing has shown that CASPR’s devices reduce pathogens by over 99% within 24 hours, and continue to reduce and eliminate these pathogens as long as the technology is running. Independent test results are available on CASPR’s website.
“As airline passengers and employees return to the airport, we are committed to providing the highest level of comfort and confidence. The launch of these sanitation systems will cover gate areas, the security checkpoint, ticket counters, and baggage claim,” LaRose-Arken explained. “We think that these measures, along with MacArthur Airport’s organic ability to provide extra space for physical distancing, will make our hometown airport the best choice when people return to travel in the months ahead,” she added.MacArthur Airport also announced today its order for Silver Defender Anti-Microbial film wraps for application to door handles and other high-touch surfaces such as handles and bathroom fixtures. Silver Defender films are constantly working to kill germs and bacteria, starting on first contact. While its only active ingredient – silver ions - is harmless to humans, it kills all microbes, including superbugs. The airport expects to receive Silver Defender films by June and install them immediately.
“CASPR and Silver Defender are the perfect combination to keep MacArthur Airport passengers and employees as free from exposure to viruses and bacteria as possible,” said Rob Schneider Deputy Airport Commissioner.MacArthur Airport’s evaluation team researched several pathogen reduction options including enhanced chemical methods, hydrostatic misters, ultraviolet light, and natural catalytic conversion. Leadership established four key criteria:
- Safe for continual use in occupied spaces
- Effective against both airborne and surface pathogens
- No modification to other cleaning processes and staffing
- Immediately availability
“While all the methods we evaluated have proven pathogen reduction properties, almost all require additional staffing or operating costs, do not allow for continuous operation in occupied spaces, and treat surfaces but not the air. Only CASPR met all four criteria,” Schneider said.
“This airport has been an economic generator for Long Island for more than 50 years, and we intend to remain so,” said Supervisor Carpenter. “In addition to these sanitation measures, we are also working on communication outreach to inform travelers of these innovations,” added the Supervisor.
“We intend to let Long Island residents know that our airport is ready to welcome back travelers in a way that is intelligent and efficient,” LaRose-Arken added. MacArthur Airport’s 2020 marketing promise is to be ‘HERE’ for Nassau and Suffolk counties now for essential travel, and to be a comfortable place for all travelers as they venture out in the future as demand for flights begins to return. MacArthur Airport is here to fly, when you’re ready to soar,” she said.