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CC BY 4.0 · Eur J Dent 2022; 16(03): 695-702
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1741375
Original Article

Effect of Ozone Gas on Removal of Airborne Particles

Priscilla Alvarenga Agra
1   Post Graduate Program in Dentistry, Health Institute of Nova Friburgo, Federal Fluminense University, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
,
Patricia Alvarenga Agra
2   Immunobiological Technology Institute, Bio-Manguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
,
Marilia Fagury Videira Marceliano-Alves 
3   Department of Endodontics and Dental Reseach, Iguaçu University, Nova Iguaçu, Brazil
,
Greice Maria Silva da Conceição
2   Immunobiological Technology Institute, Bio-Manguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
,
Sérgio Luiz de Lima Assumpção
2   Immunobiological Technology Institute, Bio-Manguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
,
Celso de Farias Crespo
2   Immunobiological Technology Institute, Bio-Manguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
,
Letícia Maria Borsarini Philippi
4   Research Department, Philozon Industry and Trade of Ozone Generator, Santa Catarina, Brazil
,
Renata Ximenes Lins 
1   Post Graduate Program in Dentistry, Health Institute of Nova Friburgo, Federal Fluminense University, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was funded by FAPERJ (JCNE E26202.908/2019) and FOPESQ 2020 (PROPPI-UFF).
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Abstract

Objective Airborne particles are one of the most important factors in the spread of infectious pathogens and must be monitored in healthcare facilities. Viable particles are living microorganisms, whereas non-viable particles do not contain microorganisms but act as transport for viable particles. The effectiveness of ozone in reducing these particles in a non-controlled room and a controlled cleanroom using high-efficiency particles air (HEPA) filter was analyzed in this study.

Materials and Methods Viable particles and non-viable particles sized 0.5 and 5 μm were quantified before and after ozonation in two different health environments: non-controlled (group 1) and controlled area, which was associated with a HEPA filtering system (group 2). Active air sampling using a MAS 100 was used to count the number of viable particles, while the number of non-viable particles/m3 was obtained following the manufacturer's recommendations of the Lasair III 310C system.

Results Our results of the viable particles counting were not quantifiable and analyzed using statistical tests. Both groups showed a slight tendency to reduce the number of viable particles after ozonation of the environmental air. A statistically significant reduction of non-viable 5 μm particles after ozonation was observed in both groups (G1: p = 0,009; G2: p = 0,002). Reduction in the non-viable 0.5 μm particles after ozonation was observed only in group 2, associated with the HEPA filter. In group 1, after ozonation, a significant increase in 0.5 μm particles was observed, probably due to the breaking of 5 μm particles by ozone gas. Our results suggest that ozone gas can break 5 μm particles and, when associated with a HEPA filter, increases its effectiveness in removing 0.5 μm particles.

Conclusion Considering that 5 μm particles are important in the air transport of microorganisms, their reduction in the environment can be a relevant parameter in controlling the dissemination of infections.

Keywords

ozone - ambiental sanitization - airborne particles - HEPA filter - clean rooms


Publication History

Article published online:
18 April 2022

© 2022. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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