Device for generating gaseous species

A device for generating a flow of a non-thermal gaseous plasma, comprising:

• a gas capsule for releasably holding a gas under pressure;
• a plasma generator in which gas released from the capsule can be energised to generate said flow of a non-thermal gaseous plasma;
• an applicator of the non-thermal plasma for directing the non-thermal gaseous plasma or an active gas derived therefrom at a surface to be treated;
• a source of electrical energy;
• means electrically connected to the source of electrical energy for energizing gas in the reaction generator to form said non-thermal gaseous plasma;
• and
• a housing for housing the plasma generator, source of electrical energy, and energising means, the housing having an external port to which the gas capsule can be docked and a passage which when open can conduct gas released from the capsule to the plasma generator, wherein when the capsule is in its docked position the docked gas capsule acts as a handle for the device, and the device can be held and operated by a user by hand to direct the flow of the non-thermal gaseous plasma from the applicator at a surface to be treated thereby.