July 21, 2020

 

JBS USA and Tyson Foods install air cleaning tech at plants after COVID-19 outbreaks

 

Two of the United States major meatpackers said they have installed ultraviolet air cleaning equipment at some of its facilities in the country to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Reuters reported.

 

JBS USA said it had installed ultraviolet germicidal air sanitation, which uses a specific frequency range of light waves to kill germs, at its plant's ventilation and air purification systems.

 

The company added that it installed plasma air cleaning technology in its US facilities equipped with bipolar ionization. It can neutralise air particulates such as virus cells and bacteria.

 

Tyson Foods said it is currently conducting tests on ultraviolet air treatment systems on several of its plants.

 

However, there is no confirmation that these systems are effective.

 

The US meatpacking industry has already seen 16,000 plant workers infected with COVID-19 across 23 states. 86 workers have died due to the virus.

 

Plant workers said major meat processors such as Tyson Foods and JBS have told them to go to work and did not immediately provide protective equipment or implement social distancing measures on the plant floor.

 

The family of a JBS worker in Pennsylvania sued the company for not protecting him at his workplace. He died from COVID-19.

 

Meatpacking plants have become COVID-19 hotspots around the world due to its crowded working conditions and low temperatures, which may permit the virus to stay alive in the air longer.

 

The World Health Organization recognised growing evidence of COVID-19 spreading through airborne means.

 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told meatplants to discuss with engineers about creating adequate ventilation in plants, but no requirement was imposed with regards to air systems.

 

Other competitors are adopting a wait-and-see approach. Purdue Farms said it did not make ventilation changes in its plants as there is no scientific data of the virus spreading in industrial air systems. The company said its workers must wear masks and there is social distancing on the plant floor.

 

-          Reuters