At London Stansted Airport, Giles Peeters, Airfield Operations Duty Manager and Managing Director of Airshot, has recently implemented De-Wipe within airside operations to help reduce exposure risks for airside personnel. We have worked closely with Giles to understand the risks imposed to airside operations and why he implemented Dewipe. This is what he had to say :
“At London Stansted Airport, maintaining safe, clean, and resilient airside operations is essential. Being one of the UK’s busiest commercial airports, our teams operate in a fast-paced environment where exposure to ultrafine particles, fuel residues, and everyday contaminants is a constant challenge. As we’ve become more aware of the hidden risks associated with these contaminants, it has become increasingly important to adopt a reliable, scientifically backed decontamination process that protects both our people and our equipment.”
The Challenge: Contamination by Ultrafine Particles (UFPs)
Across our airside operations, staff routinely come into contact with ultrafine particles that collect on:
- The skin
- Radios and communications equipment
- PPE (gloves, hi-vis, helmets)
- Vehicle interiors
- Tools, torches, and inspection equipment
UFPs pose a particular concern because:
- They’re invisible and small enough to bypass standard PPE
- They can carry carcinogenic contaminants, increasing long-term health risks
- They settle onto surfaces and skin and accumulate over time if not properly cleaned
From a safety management perspective, this can affect:
- Staff health and wellbeing
- The clarity of markings on equipment
- The performance of screens, sensors, and electronic devices
- The reliability of inspection tools
- Our ability to maintain compliance with safety and cleanliness standards
Why We Chose De-Wipe
Implementing De-Wipe across our airside operations has made a significant difference in how we manage everyday contaminant exposure. Before De-Wipe, our teams had limited options for effective on-the-spot decontamination. The wipes and washes have now become an essential part of our daily routine. They’re easy to use both within the maneuvering area and back at base, and the science behind the products gives us confidence that we’re reducing personal and organisational risk. De-Wipe has strengthened our safety culture, protected our teams, and raised the overall standard of our airside operations.
What Made De-Wipe the Right Choice for Us
1. Scientifically Proven to Remove Harmful Contaminants
We needed a solution we could trust. De-Wipe’s research partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University gave us confidence that the products effectively remove UFPs and help reduce the risks associated with long-term contaminant exposure.
2. Improved Equipment Reliability
Contaminants don’t just affect people, they affect equipment too. Using De-Wipe has helped us protect radios, tools, inspection devices, and vehicle interiors from long-term breakdown caused by repeated exposure to harmful particles.
3. Reduced Cross-Contamination Risks
Decontaminating people without cleaning equipment just moves the problem around. De-Wipe has helped us prevent contaminants from transferring between surfaces, vehicles, PPE, and even into home environments. This has strengthened our overall contamination-control procedures.
4. Supports Our Environmental and Safety Commitments
Sustainability is increasingly important across our operations. De-Wipe’s 100% biodegradable wipes support our environmental goals while helping us maintain high safety standards.
Introducing De-Wipe into our airside operations has been a valuable step forward in protecting our teams and strengthening our safety culture. De-Wipe products have helped us control UFP contaminants more effectively, look after our equipment, and support our environmental commitments. For our airfield personnel who work daily in high-exposure environments, De-Wipe provides a fast, reliable, and practical solution that genuinely enhances the safety and cleanliness of our operations.
