HIGHLANDS and Islands MSP David Stewart has said he is still seeking “real reassurance” that the Scottish Government is properly considering if negative ion ionisers can be used to combat Covid-19.
Scottish Labour’s shadow minister for public health was first contacted about these devices three days into the March lockdown but said he has not yet received any real reassurance that the Scottish Government has properly investigated the potential of the devices in attempts to control the virus.
“I was contacted by a constituent in the very early days of the first lockdown who provided scientific data which suggested that negative ion ionisers could be a useful tool in the fight against the virus,” said Stewart. I have contacted the [Health Secretary], Jeane Freeman, and the minister for innovation, Ivan McKee. I have tabled Parliamentary Questions and I also raised the matter directly with the First Minister on the floor in Parliament, all to no avail.”
Ionisers create a static charge around airborne contaminants and deposit them on the nearest solid surface, which has to be kept sanitised to prevent physical transmission.
Stewart said he had been advised they were being used in other countries, and the constituent who raised it had become “deeply frustrated” at the lack of urgency.
READ MORE: Scots pharmacy gifted ionisers that could be key in frontline battle against Covid
He added: “With the Covid crisis deepening day on day, I am again trying to encourage Scottish ministers to speed up their research into this. The [Health Secretary] replied to me on November 9 advising that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has set up a Short Life Working Group (SLWG) to consider the evidence surrounding the efficacy of ‘air cleaning’ devices.
“Weeks later however I still do not have an answer as to when the working group will determine its findings, yet the virus continues to spread.
Stewart called for an “injection of urgency” on the matter, he has tabled more Parliamentary Questions on the matter and maintains it is “essential” every avenue is explored in controlling Covid.
Health campaigner Pete Gavin, who raised the issue with Stewart, said he did not have an easy route to highlight the possible benefits of the devices after he uncovered 14 scientific papers which, he said, made the case for reviewing air sanitation using them.
“Of the many professors I spoke to, of the multiple scientists I engaged with, each one took it upon themselves to pronounce to me this won’t work,” he said.
“None provided a scientific argument why it wouldn’t, all neglected to review their own peers’ work on the subject, and in fact a few made the ‘won’t work’ pronouncement, but then asked me ‘how does ionisation work’?”
A Scottish Government spokesperson confirmed that an SLWG had been set up to “consider the devices. They added: “NHS Scotland were represented on this group and though there are no plans for the SLWG to meet again, we will continue to monitor the situation.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel