The Meriwether County (Ga.) Schools Board of Education recently voted to install devices aboard school buses that can destroy most harmful viruses in the air and on surfaces, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

“We were at risk of losing bus drivers due to fear of COVID,” said Dr. Robert Griffin, superintendent of Meriwether County Schools. “Now we can load, travel, and unload our buses knowing the air and surfaces are disinfected.”

School board members agreed to purchase 113 CASPR (Continuous Air and Surface Pathogen Reduction) transit units from Atlanta-based BioShark. According to the company, these units convert natural air flow into safe and effective low levels of gaseous hydrogen peroxide. It takes the place of intermittent chemical spraying and cleaning of the district’s bus fleet.

“Our goal is to provide peace of mind for students, parents, staff, and bus drivers, to breathe the air and touch the surfaces without fear,” said Shannon Grube of BioShark. “This will result in savings by reducing substitute bus drivers and teachers.”

The CASPR units run continuously while the bus operates. The company indicated that the organic treatment is safe for people, pets, and plants.

BioShark also provides industrial units that fit in air conditioners to protect school facilities.