Review of bioaerosols in indoor environment with special reference to sampling, analysis and control mechanisms

Background Institutional tuberculosis (TB) transmission is an important public health problem highlighted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the emergence of multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant TB. Effective TB infection control measures are urgently needed. We evaluated the efficacy of upperroom ultraviolet (UV) lights and negative air ionization for preventing airborne TB transmission using a guinea pig air-sampling model to measure the TB infectiousness of ward air.

/pdf/upper-room-ultraviolet-light-and-negative-air-ionization-to-2itght57cs.pdf

Upper-Room Ultraviolet Light and Negative Air Ionization to Prevent Tuberculosis Transmission

Ozone gas is an effective and practical antibacterial agent.

The ventilation of multiple-bed hospital wards: Review and analysis

Negative air ions (NAIs) have been discovered for more than 100 years and are widely used for air cleaning. Here, we have carried out a comprehensive reviewing on the effects of NAIs on humans/animals, and microorganisms, and plant development. The presence of NAIs is credited for increasing psychological health, productivity, and overall well-being but without consistent or reliable evidence in therapeutic effects and with controversy in anti-microorganisms. Reports also showed that NAIs could help people in relieving symptoms of allergies to dust, mold spores, and other allergens. Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant that affects human health. Experimental data showed that NAIs could be used to high-efficiently remove PM. Finally, we have reviewed the plant-based NAI release system under the pulsed electric field (PEF) stimulation. This is a new NAI generation system which releases a huge amount of NAIs under the PEF treatment. The system may be used to freshen indoor air and reduce PM concentration in addition to enriching oxygen content and indoor decoration at home, school, hospital, airport, and other indoor areas.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/19/10/2966/pdf/1

Negative Air Ions and Their Effects on Human Health and Air Quality Improvement.

To determine effect of negative air ions on colonisation/infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter species in an intensive care unit. Prospective single-centre cross-over study in an adult general intensive care unit. 201 patients whose stay on the unit exceeded 48 hour's duration. Six negative air ionisers were installed on the unit but not operational for the first 5 months of the study (control period). Devices were then operational for the following 5.5 months. 30 and 13 patients were colonised/infected with MRSA and Acinetobacter spp., respectively, over 10.5 months. No change in MRSA colonisation/infection was observed compared with the 5 month control period. Acinetobacter cases were reduced from 11 to 2 (p = 0.007). Ionisers may have a role in the prevention of Acinetobacter infections.

/pdf/air-ionisation-and-colonisation-infection-with-methicillin-5fqyx2971b.pdf

Judith K. Donnelly

Papers

Air ionisation and colonisation/infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter species in an intensive care unit