Reducing the Effectiveness of Ward Particulate Matter, Bacteria and Influenza Virus by Combining Two Complementary Air Purifiers

Abstract

Air purifiers should pay much attention to hospital-associated infections, but the role of a single air purifier is limited. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined application of the nonequilibrium positive and negative oxygen ion purifier (PNOI) and the high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) on a complex, polluted environment. Two of the better performing purifiers were selected before the study. The efficacy of their use alone and in combination for purification of cigarette particulate matter (PM), Staphylococcus albicans, and influenza virus were then evaluated under a simulated contaminated ward. PNAI and HEPA alone are deficient. However, when they were combined, they achieved 98.44%, 99.75%, and 100% 30 min purification rates for cigarette PM, S. albus, and influenza virus, respectively. The purification of pollution of various particle sizes and positions was optimized and reduced differentials, and a subset of airborne influenza viruses is inactivated. Furthermore, they were superior to ultraviolet disinfection for microbial purification in air. This work demonstrates the strong purification capability of the combined application of these two air purifiers for complex air pollution, which provides a new idea for infection control in medical institutions.

Evaluación microbiológica del caudal de impulsión y extracción mecánica en habitaciones hospitalarias de aislados infecciosos e inmunodeprimidos

“…En el caso de los pacientes infecciosos, el procemiendo, es mantener una presión negativa, con filtros HEPA, manterniendo conductos diferentes para expulsar, si el caso, el aire previamente filtrado de las habitaciones. En un trabajo recientemente publicado por Zhou et al, (2022) concluyeron que los purificadores de aires son limitados, y se recomendaba el uso combinado de filtros con purificadores de iones de iones oxígenos positivos y negativos fuera del equilibrio (PNOI). La combinación de estos dos tipo de filtro logró la purificación de partículas de cigarrillos (PM), Staphylococcus albicans y el virus de la influenza en salas contaminadas lográndose la eliminación de un 98,44%, 99,75% y 100% respectivamente en 30 minutos.…”

“…Los filtros de aire visibles tienen efecto sobre ciertos contaminantes en el aire de las habitaciones, pero son desconocidos para las salas de hospital donde hay múltiples contaminantes. Se necesita una línea de investigación rigurosa y factible en el área de filtración y recirculación de aire en instalaciones sanitarias, asegurando la capacidad de responder a posibles nuevos brotes (Zhou et al, 2022). En general un sistema de aire acondicionado/ventilación/calentamiento (HVAC) centralizado funciona de la siguiente manera: el aire exterior ingresa al sistema, donde la baja eficiencia y los filtros eliminan las partículas grandes y muchos microorganismos.…”

BT100, a three-in-one, multipurpose disinfecting, deodorizing, and air-cleaning solution with an effective, gradual, and continuous gaseous chlorine dioxide-releasing substance

“…Indoor air quality (IAQ) can be improved by reducing emissions, good ventilation, and using air purification equipment [ [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] ]. Currently, the primary methods of indoor air purification include filtration [ 17 ], electrostatic [ 18 , 19 ], photocatalytic [ 20 ], and negative ion purification [ 21 ]. Filters are the most common kind of air purifier, accounting for over 90% of the market.…”

Effect of air sterilizers in an outpatient clinic at a tertiary university hospital

“…After the COVID-19 outbreak, interest in airborne virus infections has increased (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Natural ventilation is difficult in hospitals due to patient overcrowding, and mechanical sources have been applied to assist in ventilation (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…After the COVID-19 outbreak, interest in airborne virus infections has increased (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Natural ventilation is difficult in hospitals due to patient overcrowding, and mechanical sources have been applied to assist in ventilation (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Therefore, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are beginning to be studied more deeply to help eliminate airborne viruses, fungi, and bacteria (1-3, 7, 8).…”