Top 3 Revolutionary Technological Advancements in the Sanitation Sector
B2B GeneralThe sanitation industry has undergone radical technological advancements, and new developments continue to come up. Sanitation has become a top priority in most industries, so technology is advancing more rapidly than ever. This year has delivered massive breakthroughs in technology, allowing society to live more productively and remain safe from Covid-19.
I want to cover some of the most prevalent new designs in the sanitation sector from 2020 and 2021. Some of which are completely new concepts and some we are already familiar with. Leading me to pose the question: “Are these advancements aiding our lives or taking away from human interaction?”.
“What new technology does is create new opportunities to do a job that customers want done.”
Tim O’Reilly
Masks
In an upcoming blog, we are covering the history of masks, and you will be amazed at the lengthly timeline (and it’s only gotten more complex). I’ll list some of the most interesting advancements (to me), starting with masks that detect the Covid-19 virus. According to MIT (2021), their engineers have developed a sensor that can be embedded in – not only – masks but also clothing. Using a mixture of freeze-dried components and water, the sensor can test droplets from breath and deliver a diagnostic within 90 minutes.
The next advancement in masks I found interesting is the MaskFone. This mask allows users to talk on the phone, listen to music and control volume through the mask (PC, 2021). Its primary selling point is a built-in mic, eliminating any muffled sound when speaking. Although these masks are not essential in the sanitation industry; it does resolve issues among a niche group of people.
UV Sanitation
UV Sanitation is frequently used in hospitals, ambulances, pools and many more settings. So, UV isn’t an entirely new concept by any means! But there is no doubt that the pandemic has drastically widespread its use.
What was once used exclusively for heavy-duty sanitation, has expanded to frequent everyday use in a matter of a year. People have started to use this technology to disinfect their phones, conference rooms and masks. UV Sanitation also doesn’t require liquid and kills 99.9% of germs (StarFish Medical, n.d.). For those who aren’t familiar with UV sanitation, the UV bulb eliminates a significant amount of germs it comes in contact with and is much less harsh than most chemical alternatives. Unfortunately, not every company prioritizes safe solutions like Precision.
UV sanitation has been used for years to disinfect water, air and nonporous surfaces (FDA, 2021). It has also been found to break down the Coronavirus, ultimately leaving the virus inactive. Although it’s important to note that research on UV sanitation and long-term effects is limited, there are various health risks associated with prolonged exposure to UV light to tan individuals’ skin and eyes.
Robotics
The rise of robotic technology has resulted in controversy. Robotics and A.I. are becoming more prevalent in our everyday life and are beginning to replace human interaction. Whether you’re at the supermarket, movie theatre or train station, you’re more likely to interact with a screen than another person. Luckily, I haven’t encountered a Cyborg… Yet. But many still argue that it’s not whether we can do it but should we?
Despite the controversy, the use of robotics has been a massive crutch during this pandemic. According to StarFish Medical (n.d.), it has acted as almost a personal assistant in hospitals and allows Medical staff to focus on more complex tasks. Robots help monitor vitals, deliver medical tools, disinfect rooms and even assist in lab work (StarFish Medical, 2020). Robots are also able to deliver supplies to individuals at risk of contracting infections.
Integrating A.I. into the workplace has made many people feel uneasy. Work has been inconsistent for many and adding robots (that will work for free) into the mix doesn’t ease the stress.
Conclusion
Working in the sanitation industry, it’s exciting to see sanitary technology thrive the way it is. These developments in sanitation allow people to have peace of mind and focus on what is important in their lives. Innovations should complement human life instead of taking away from it, and I believe that’s what the designs covered in this blog have done. Our team at Precision Chemical looks at innovation as a constantly moving target, forcing us to continuously adapt and improve our offerings. We feel so lucky to be living in a time where innovation is so prevalent.
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