Could Coronavirus be living in your vehicle?

It is already accepted that bacteria, viruses and pathogens can reside on the various surfaces of your car including seats, carpets, inner headlining, steering wheel etc. What is often overlooked is your vehicle heating and ventilation system. Home and car heating and air conditioning systems are reported to be breeding grounds In an article published by the Express newspaper, A study by Kwik Fit and researchers at London Metropolitan University two years ago revealed the potentially dangerous bacteria living in the air conditioning systems of British cars. The bacteria found is associated with meningitis, urinary tract infections and septic arthritis were among the many types found. In the study, swabs of 15 air conditioning filters taken from different cars across the UK were subjected to laboratory analysis.

All filters tested had microorganisms detected, the most common of which being Bacillus Licheniformis. Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus were the second most common microorganisms found. Bacillus subtilis are normally found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and some mammals and Bacillus has links with a wide range of infections including meningitis, abscesses and septicaemia. Changing an air conditioning filter will not kill bacteria, viruses and pathogens that attach themselves deep in the heating and air conditioning ducts of your vehicle. The current Coronavirus pandemic is encouraging sensible precautions such as hand washing more frequently and social distancing. It would make sense then, to treat your car with a surface and duct cleanser to help remove the risk of infection that lies within. Cambridgeshire based car2cover.co.uk supplies an anti-microbial treatment for vehicles called 'Stayzon'. Stayzon comes in a canister that is discharged and left in the vehicle cabin for 6 minutes. The treatment, rather like an aerosol, will circulate throughout, cleaning surfaces and internal ducts during its release. The treatment is effective for up to 12 months. Stayzon is an anti-microbial shield formulation that meets the guidelines as per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in relation to Coronavirus Disease 2019. The CDC specification of alcohol content is 60% plus in order to kill Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Stayzon has an alcohol content of 95% Due to the present pandemic, the Australian manufacturer cannot replenish stocks in the UK for another 3 - 6 months - and UK stocks are limited currently to just 1800 packs remaining. Whilst more expensive than you might expect, the treatment is less than the equivalent cost of a Starbucks coffee once a week. The product is quick and easy to use. Simply start your engine, turn on the air conditioning and air recirculation, close windows, discharge and leave the canister inside the car, exit the vehicle and close the door for 6 minutes.

In these troubled and dangerous times, this is something we can all do to help protect ourselves and our families against Coronavirus. For more information, visit car2cover.co.uk/stayzon