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- Title
Surface and air: What impact does UV-C at the room level have on airborne and surface bacteria?
- Authors
Lee, Linda D.
- Abstract
Background: Short-wave ultraviolet light (UV-C) is known to have the ability to render bacteria inert. We theorized that using UV-C in a continuous fashion at the room level would not only lower the amount of bacteria circulating in the air, but also lessen the amount of bacteria found on surfaces in the same space. Methods: We set up field trials at three hospitals (Texas, Nevada, and Massachusetts) where we tested air and surface for bacteria, installed continuous UV-C products at the room level, and then tested air and surface again. Results: In all cases, airborne bacteria was reduced between 79 and 91% over pre-installation values. Most surfaces also showed reductions in bacteria from 48 to 69%, although we report one incident of an increase of 288%. Conclusion: The data indicate that using active air UV-C technology at the room level reduces the bioburden in the air and on surfaces, including in occupied spaces. Hospitals should consider implementing active UV-C technology to improve air quality.
- Subjects
MASSACHUSETTS; TEXAS; NEVADA; CROSS infection prevention; BACTERIAL contamination; AIR microbiology; AIR filters; COMMERCIAL product evaluation; HOSPITALS; PROBABILITY theory; STERILIZATION (Disinfection); T-test (Statistics); ULTRAVIOLET radiation; PREVENTION
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Infection Control / Revue Canadienne de Prévention des Infections, 2017, Vol 32, Issue 2, p108
- ISSN
1183-5702
- Publication type
Article