As students begin returning to school this fall, Michigan-based Dean Transportation is augmenting its regular disinfectant use by treating its fleet of over 1,600 school buses with an antimicrobial in response to COVID-19.

Dean Transportation’s application of MicrobeCare represents one of the first industry deployments of antimicrobial technology in school buses, according to a news release from the school bus company.

More broadly, Dean Transportation is working to create safety protocols for staff and passengers that aim to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.

“As our education system returns to operation, our number-one priority is the health of our passengers, our employees, and the general public. In response to COVID-19, we are enhancing our cleaning procedures and operating practices to suppress the spread of illness,” said Kellie P. Dean, president and CEO of Dean Transportation.

Dean added that applying the antimicrobial to its buses is also intended to support school districts when they return to in-person instruction, and noted a particular concern for helping special-needs students get back to school.

“Dean Transportation transports a high number of special-education student passengers, many of whom rely on in-person education and services provided by our public education system,” Dean said. “It is our mission to help them get back to school by increasing the health protections on our school buses.”

MicrobeCare is an antimicrobial with a long-lasting bonding technology that is effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and yeast on surfaces, according to Dean Transportation. It is registered with the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency as an antimicrobial that will help reduce cross-contamination of dangerous microorganisms on surfaces to which it is applied.

The product is often used in health care facilities and common public spaces. MicrobeCare has been shown to eliminate over 99.99% of microorganisms on surfaces quickly. By continually combating and neutralizing microbial threats before they have an opportunity to grow and spread, the protection of MicrobeCare persists in between cleanings and disinfection. 

The antimicrobial is applied by experienced application specialists using electrostatic sprayers to ensure complete coverage of all surfaces.

Application of MicrobeCare on Dean Transportation school buses began on Aug. 6 and is being completed over the coming weeks.

The school bus company has created a website outlining its investment in MicrobeCare and its new “Dean Clean Process.” Visit www.deancleanprocess.com to learn more.