Air ozonization for prevention of bacterial and viral infections

Abstract

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of the low-dose air ozonation for disinfection of the air in the working room.

Materials and methods. We investigated 90 air samples (3 samples were taken weekly before and after the production meeting using the automatic sampling device of biological aerosols of air PU-1B). The total bacterial contamination, the content of staphylococci and mold spores were determined. Ozonation of the room (83.3 m3) was carried out for 20 minutes by means of domestic ozonator. The accumulated dose of ozone was 133.3 mg (1.6 mg/m3). Statistical data processing was carried out using the MedStat licensed program. The median, median error (Me ± me), left and right 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were calculated. Paired comparisons were made using Wilcoxon's T-test.

Results. After the meeting, the total bacterial contamination of the air was 56.0 ± 9.3 (47.0–78.0) CFU. The content of staphylococci and mold spores in the air was 85.5 ± 12.5 (76.0–100.0) and 44.5 ± 6.5 (32.0–54.0) CFU, respectively. After ozonation, the total bacterial contamination of the air was 14.5 ± 3.6 (10.0–21.0) CFU. The content of staphylococci and mold spores in the air after ozonation was 35.5 ± 6.7 (25.0–52.0) and 26.0 ± 5.0 (18.0–32.0) CFU, respectively. Ozonation of the room provided a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in all three of the above indicators. The room ozonation carried out promoted a reliable decrease (p < 0.001) in all the above mentioned parameters.

Conclusions. The above data and analysis of the literature show the possibility of using low doses of ozone for the prevention of bacterial, fungal and viral infections including SARS-CoV-2. Further study and development of reasonable modes of ozone disinfection, including low doses of ozone, is needed, as well as determination of the efficiency degree of air disinfection with non-toxic gas concentrations.

Keywords

Ozone / air / working room / disinfection / prevention / bacteria / mold spores / SARS-CoV-2 / coronavirus / COVID-19

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RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Prylutskyi A.S., Kapranov S.V., Tkachenko K.E., Yalovega L.I.