An aerosolised aircraft insecticide has been approved for sale in the EU, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

Aero-Sense, a Belgium-based manufacturer of aviation chemicals, has closely collaborated withHoneywell’s Industrial Aerosols department to develop a safe and environmentally friendly aircraft insecticide.

Aircraft insecticides are products that are used on board of aircraft to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases (such as malaria, zika, dengue, etc.) via air travel. The specific methods and products to be used for aircraft disinsection are found in World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, as well as in IATA and ICAO guidelines.

All Aero-Sense products are formulated according to these recommendations, but the company says that “Aircraft Insecticide ASD” is the first to also acquire a Union Authorisation under the European Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) successfully. The BPR examines whether a biocide, such as an insecticide, is harmless to humans and the environment.

Aero-Sense COO, Jochen Rosseel, said: “Only a product that is 100 per cent tested conform safety requirements passes this strict evaluation process. Our aircraft insecticide ASD does not only protect the health and safety of passengers and crew, but it also gains their trust.”

Additionally, it says that using Honeywell’s non-flammable Solstice propellant makes the product the greenest option on the market. Under the European Regulation on the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases, technical aerosols are required to have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 150. Previous generation aircraft insecticides usually have a GWP of more than 1300 as they contain harmful HFCs. The switch to the new propellant reduces the GWP of the Aero-Sense Insecticide to less than 1, far exceeding the EU requirements.

“Unfortunately, the environmental aspect is still often overlooked by airlines, especially in the economically tough times we are experiencing now”, Rosseel continued. “However, it would be very useful to think about this aspect as it allows airlines to reduce the ecological footprint of each flight and achieve their emission targets.”