http://avweb.com/n/?22a

Foot-And-Mouth Cleaner Is Bad News

Boeing has alerted airlines of the consequences stemming from the use of a disinfectant for foot-and-mouth disease. The company warns that the chemical disinfectant sodium hypochlorite (bleach) can cause brittleness in an airliner's brakes, axles, and landing gear, causing them to wear faster than normal. The disinfectant has been widely used throughout airports in Italy, England, France and Spain, where arriving aircraft have been treated with the chemical in hopes of stopping the spread of the disease, which has caused the destruction of thousands of cattle and sheep in Europe. Foot-and-mouth disease is airborne and could travel on the dust accumulated on airliners. European air carriers have asked Boeing for technical guidance as they treat all incoming aircraft into the affected airports. The U.S. Air Force has conducted some tests with the chemical and results show that it can quickly corrode steel parts, such as those in aircraft landing gear.