|
1
|
Alhussain H, Ghani S, Eltai NO. Breathing Clean Air: Navigating Indoor Air Purification Techniques and Finding the Ideal Solution. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:1107. [PMID: 39200716 PMCID: PMC11354768 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21081107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of airborne pathogens in indoor environments presents significant health risks due to prolonged human occupancy. This review addresses diverse air purification systems to combat airborne pathogens and the factors influencing their efficacy. Indoor aerosols, including bioaerosols, harbor biological contaminants from respiratory emissions, highlighting the need for efficient air disinfection strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the dangers of airborne transmission, highlighting the importance of comprehending how pathogens spread indoors. Various pathogens, from viruses like SARS-CoV-2 to bacteria like Mycobacterium (My) tuberculosis, exploit unique respiratory microenvironments for transmission, necessitating targeted air purification solutions. Air disinfection methods encompass strategies to reduce aerosol concentration and inactivate viable bioaerosols. Techniques like ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), filters, and unipolar ion emission are explored for their specific roles in mitigating airborne pathogens. This review examines air purification systems, detailing their operational principles, advantages, and limitations. Moreover, it elucidates key factors influencing system performance. In conclusion, this review aims to provide practical knowledge to professionals involved in indoor air quality management, enabling informed decisions for deploying efficient air purification strategies to safeguard public health in indoor environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hashim Alhussain
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar;
| | - Saud Ghani
- Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar;
| | - Nahla O. Eltai
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar;
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Caggiano G, Lopuzzo M, Spagnuolo V, Diella G, Triggiano F, D’Ambrosio M, Trerotoli P, Marcotrigiano V, Barbuti G, Sorrenti GT, Magarelli P, Sorrenti DP, Napoli C, Montagna MT. Investigations on the Efficacy of Ozone as an Environmental Sanitizer in Large Supermarkets. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050608. [PMID: 35631128 PMCID: PMC9147425 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Awareness of the importance of the microbial contamination of air and surfaces has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of bacteria and fungi in the air and on surfaces within some critical areas of large supermarkets with and without an ozonation system. Surveys were conducted in four supermarkets belonging to the same commercial chain of an Apulian city in June 2021, of which two (A and B) were equipped with an ozonation system, and two (C and D) did not have any air-diffused remediation treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in the total bacterial count (TBC) and total fungal count (TFC) in the air between A/B and C/D supermarkets (p = 0.0042 and p = 0.0002, respectively). Regarding surfaces, a statistically significant difference in TBC emerged between A/B and C/D supermarkets (p = 0.0101). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the effect of ozone on commercial structures in Italy. Future investigations, supported by a multidisciplinary approach, will make it possible to deepen the knowledge on this method of sanitation, in light of any other epidemic/pandemic waves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Caggiano
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (P.T.); (M.T.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(0)-80-5478-475
| | - Marco Lopuzzo
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Valentina Spagnuolo
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Giusy Diella
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (P.T.); (M.T.M.)
| | - Francesco Triggiano
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Marilena D’Ambrosio
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Paolo Trerotoli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (P.T.); (M.T.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Marcotrigiano
- Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Barletta-Andria-Trani, 76125 Trani, Italy; (V.M.); (G.T.S.); (P.M.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Giovanna Barbuti
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Giovanni Trifone Sorrenti
- Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Barletta-Andria-Trani, 76125 Trani, Italy; (V.M.); (G.T.S.); (P.M.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Pantaleo Magarelli
- Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Barletta-Andria-Trani, 76125 Trani, Italy; (V.M.); (G.T.S.); (P.M.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Domenico Pio Sorrenti
- Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Barletta-Andria-Trani, 76125 Trani, Italy; (V.M.); (G.T.S.); (P.M.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Christian Napoli
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Teresa Montagna
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (P.T.); (M.T.M.)
| |
Collapse
|