When there’s viral germs in the neighbourhood. Who are you going to call?
Virus Busters – a group of 20 concerned individuals from companies across Langley that have joined forces to provide disinfectant services and “peace of mind.”
Founder Scott Anderson, who works in construction, said several involved businesses are employing staff who otherwise would be jobless during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virus Busters assembled eight weeks ago after news broke of the COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing, where Anderson has family.
“Once I heard that the virus was spreading asymptomatically [without symptoms] I knew we were going to have a problem here,” he said.
Crews suit up in personal protective equipment (PPE) and disperse a non-toxic disinfectant fog on living germs found on surfaces of all kinds – including public streets, buildings, daycares, hospitals, grocery stores, offices, and even the ground.
“Those are the places we need to be,” Anderson said, expressing his desire to help.
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Virus Busters follows in the footsteps of techniques used in China, Anderson said, which kill 99.9 per cent of pathogens according to Health Canada tests – including those that carry COVID-19.
“But we’re the Canadian version,” he smiled, “because we use organic and environmentally-friendly products.”
So far, Virus Busters have gifted sterilization services to various churches, playgrounds, and homeless encampments in Langley.
“After asking and hearing no response went and did it on our own,” Anderson lauded.
The team has also offered free fog technique training to City and Township employees – if they accept.
“Spraying and wiping is slow and labour intensive,” Anderson explained. “A person with a cloth is going to miss spots.”
But aerosol gets into every nook and cranny, he assured.
Langley City administrative officer Francis Cheung said “we learned from Fraser Health Authority that there is no evidence supporting contracting an infection [COVID-19 or otherwise] from a parking lot.”
Anderson responded the team works to disinfect touch points and surfaces people use and could contaminate with germs.
“We want to ensure that people are checking the scientific facts and contacting the health authorities to determine whether this type of spraying is effective to prevent the spread of the virus,” Cheung said.
The team’s virus-busting agent – Benefact botanical decon 30 – has been approved by Health Canada for hospital-grade disinfection, Anderson said.
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“I feel really good about what we’re doing for small businesses. Especially if we can help keep one or two of them open and get people back to work.”
“It also gives people a sense of security,” Anderson said about the service.
The crew is able to disinfect 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft. businesses in just 20 minutes.
“We could disinfect the one-way in less than two hours,” he added, “With employees returning to work right away.”
The Virus Busters’ latest jobs tackled Langley City’s ME shopping plaza and Travel Professionals International offices with the disinfecting fog.
Currently, the Langley crews are booked three days in advance.
Anderson said the team bought their products in advance, but could soon run out of disenfectant due to B.C.-wide shortages.
More information can be found on their website.
