By Simon Bristow
A MACHINE used to rid hospitals of bad smells could help beat so-called superbugs.
Wigan-based firm Scent Technologies has discovered that its ST-PRO deodorising machine not only issues a pleasant aroma, but proves highly effective in killing airborne bacteria associated with MRSA and Clostridium difficile.
The discovery was made almost by chance at a hospital in Whiston, St Helens, three years ago. And following seven months of clinical trials in the burns unit at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, the product is to be developed and produced by Hull company Bonus Electrical.
Prof Valerie Edwards-Jones, a microbiologist at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: "We found in the burns unit that it reduced airborne counts by 90 per cent. What surprised us was in the control room, where we didn't have any vapours, the counts were down there."
He said the results were "very encouraging."
The machine, which has also been trialled at Airedale Hospital, works by releasing an invisible vapour containing essential oils into the air.
Scent Technologies director Roy Jackson said the machine could also be used in offices and adapted for use in aircraft.
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