Disinfection of an ambulance using a compact atmospheric plasma device

Abstract

Aims:The worldwide spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has highlighted the need for fast and simple disinfection processes, amongst others for ambulance cars on site. To overcome current drawbacks regarding room disinfection, the use of cold atmospheric plasma in remote operation represents a promising alternative for the disinfection of larger volumes. In this study, a compact plasma system was evaluated regarding its disinfection efficiency inside an ambulance car. Methods and Results:The developed plasma device is based on a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and operates with ambient air as process gas. The humidified afterglow from the plasma nozzle was introduced into an ambulance car with a volume of approximately 10 m 3 while Bacillus atrophaeus endospores, Staphylococcus aureus or Phi 6 bacteriophages dried on different surfaces (PET-films, glass slides or aluminum foil) were exposed to the reactive gas inside the ambulance vehicle at eight different positions. Reductions of spores by more than 4 orders of magnitude were found on all surfaces and positions within 2 h. Due to their higher susceptibility, Phi 6 bacteriophages and S. aureus counts were reduced by at least 4 orders of magnitude within 30 min on all surfaces. Conclusion:The results show that different microorganisms dried on variable surfaces can be inactivated by several orders of magnitude inside an ambulance by plasma gas from of a compact DBD plasma nozzle. Significance and Impact of the Study: Plasma gas generated on site by a DBD plasma nozzle proved to be highly efficient for the disinfection of the interior of an ambulance car. Compact plasma systems could be a viable alternative for the disinfection of vehicles or rooms.

SARS-CoV-2 Contamination of Ambulance Surfaces and Effectiveness of Routine Decontamination Procedure: A Classic Hygiene Lesson for A Novel Pathogen

“…To the authors’ knowledge, only a few works are available in the literature that discuss the possible viral transmission pathways through contaminated surfaces in ambulances [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. The present study thus aimed to investigate the potential risk of infection in ambulances through dedicated surface sampling methods that consider the on-board procedures and specific actions of the EMS crew during the transport of COVID-19 cases or PUIs.…”

Polyimide Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge for Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Trapped in a Polypropylene Melt-Blown Filter

“…DBD generates low-temperature plasma by placing a dielectric barrier between metal electrodes and applying an alternating voltage. The electric and chemical properties of the dielectric material can control the ozone concentration, and nonthermal or cold plasma devices can be applied to inactivate airborne viruses. , In addition, various previous researchers have demonstrated that nonthermal plasma can exhibit antibacterial and antiviral , effects on various surfaces. Kramer et al used DBD with ambient air to disinfect the inside of the ambulance (10 m 3 ).…”

“… 20 , 21 In addition, various previous researchers have demonstrated that nonthermal plasma can exhibit antibacterial 22 and antiviral 23 , 24 effects on various surfaces. Kramer et al 22 used DBD with ambient air to disinfect the inside of the ambulance (10 m 3 ). They showed that the reductions of Staphylococcus aureus at least 4 orders of magnitude were observed on all surfaces within 30 min.…”

“…The electric and chemical properties of the dielectric material can control the ozone concentration, and nonthermal or cold plasma devices can be applied to inactivate airborne viruses. , In addition, various previous researchers have demonstrated that nonthermal plasma can exhibit antibacterial and antiviral , effects on various surfaces. Kramer et al used DBD with ambient air to disinfect the inside of the ambulance (10 m 3 ). They showed that the reductions of Staphylococcus aureus at least 4 orders of magnitude were observed on all surfaces within 30 min.…”

Distributed compact plasma reactor decontamination for planetary protection in space missions

“…The three major modes of DBD plasma decontamination are UV exposure, plasma temperature and reactive chemical species 17 . Out of these, while some researchers have shown insignificant contribution of UV energy and plasma temperature in atmospheric SDBD decontamination [17][18][19][20] , others have shown UV irradiation to be a contributor when SDBD is operated under controlled gas mixtures 21,22 . Although there is a scientific consensus that atmospheric SDBD decontamination involves indirect DBD treatment by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) including metastably charged oxygen, singlet oxygen, ozone, hydroxyl radicals, and nitrogen compounds formed during SDBD generation in air, the individual role of these species is widely debated [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] .…”