Inactivation of Pathogenic Microorganisms on Polymeric Materials through Ozonation

Abstract

Ozone-based technologies have been evaluated to inactivate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on surfaces. However, the vast diversity of information makes it difficult to establish common ground for determining the best practices for using this technology. The objective of this work is to evaluate the success of N95 mask decontamination by ozonation, determining the specific parameters for process control. To quantify the effectiveness of the process, a disinfection protocol was initially developed based on two bacterial species (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius), followed by another disinfection assay using the murine hepatitis coronavirus (MHV-3), in a laboratory-scale prototype. Ozone is an effective candidate for use against SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses to disinfect personal protection equipment (PPE).