asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment has been made by the Ministry of Defence of the effectiveness of using hydroxyl radical generators which reproduce the disinfecting qualities of open air in protecting service men and women from airborne pathogens. [HL1038]

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, which provides scientific advice for the Ministry of Defence, has not undertaken any specific research to assess the effectiveness of hydroxyl radical generators which reproduce the disinfecting qualities of open air.

However, as part of its watching brief on new scientific developments, DSTL has undertaken preliminary studies to examine the effectiveness of commercially available disinfection equipment including that which generates vaporous hydrogen peroxide. One of these studies on behalf of the Government Decontamination Service has assessed the performance, and applicability, of these types of systems for the decontamination and remediation of buildings following a terrorist attack using chemical or biological weapons.