Home » BLOG » Good news for germophobes: Boeing wants to bring self-cleaning toilets to its planes

Good news for germophobes: Boeing wants to bring self-cleaning toilets to its planes

Boeing says its engineers and designers have created self-cleaning toilets that use ultraviolet light to kill 99.99 percent of germs, disinfecting all surfaces after every use in just three seconds.

Boeing Co. has developed a new product to tackle a fundamental fear for flying germophobes: airliner lavatories that turn into virtual petri dishes during long-range trips.

A huge safety issue’: Canada needs standards to prevent cramming too many people on flights, advocate says


An airline passenger advocate says Canada need to look at establishing seat-size standards for commercial airlines

Read more

The U.S. planemaker says its engineers and designers have created self-cleaning toilets which use ultraviolet light to kill 99.99 per cent of germs, disinfecting all surfaces after every use within just three seconds. Boeing’s rival, Airbus Group SE, is focusing on a similar concept.

“We’re trying to alleviate the anxiety we all face when using a restroom that will get a good work out during a flight,” Jeanne Yu, director of environmental performance for Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, said inside a statement.

The concept provides a new twist around the old aviator saying, “Whether it ain’t Boeing, I ain’t going,” aviation consultant Robert Mann said by e-mail. “Boeing should ground-test these in big- city public facilities to build up some street cred,” he explained.

Airbus is working on its own improvements for jetliner bathrooms, according to Ingo Wuggetzer, the European company’s v . p . of promoting.

In-Flight Lav

“Airbus is developing ‘touchless’ technologies for the future lavs, and we’ll also include ‘anti-bacterial’ surfaces as an upcoming lav feature,” Wuggetzer said. “Moreover, as well as improving lav hygiene, the ambiance and overall freshness will be noticeably enhanced. So, overall, Airbus is set to significantly raise the bar around the passengers’ experience with using an in-flight lav.”

Boeing’s lavatory prototype uses a type of ultraviolet light, different from the rays in tanning beds, that doesn’t harm humans. Activated only when the airliner toilet isn’t in use, the lights flood touch surfaces such as the bathroom . seat, sink and counter top.

Related

About privatefinancetips

x

Check Also

U.S. job growth slows and profits tumble as a strong dollar and cheap oil undercut earnings

WASHINGTON – U.S. economic growth slowed within the fourth quarter, although not as sharply as ...

The REIT sector’s next challenge: CEO succession and board renewal

Getting there C with new chief executives and groups of new directors for that firms ...

Commodities could be headed for ‘buffalo jump’ as investors rush for the exits, Barclays warns

Commodities including oil and copper are in chance of steep declines as recent advances aren’t ...