Control of Airborne and Surface Microorganisms in Real Indoor Environments Using an Integrated System of Vaporized Free Chlorine Components and Filtration.

Abstract

Airborne and surface-residing microorganisms in indoor environments pose potential risks for infectious disease transmission. To address this issue, we developed a composite device combining a generator of vaporized free chlorine components with a fine particle removal filter. Field tests were conducted in occupied university classrooms to evaluate the device's efficacy in reducing airborne bacterial loads. Airborne bacteria were sampled under three operational conditions [Electrolyzed (+)/Filter (+), Electrolyzed (-)/Filter (+), and Electrolyzed (-)/Filter (-)]. Significant reductions in bacterial counts were observed in the Electrolyzed (+)/Filter (+) condition, with a residual rate of 14.5% after 2.25 h (<i>p</i> = 0.00001). Additionally, surface contact tests demonstrated that vaporized free chlorine components, primarily consisting of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), reduced viable counts of <i>E. coli</i>, <i>P. aeruginosa</i>, and <i>S. aureus</i> by 59.0-99.7% even at a distance of 8.0 m. The concentrations of vaporized free chlorine components during operation remained within safe exposure limits (0-19 ppb), consistent with the effective range reported in prior literature (10-50 ppb). Computational fluid dynamics simulations confirmed the diffusion of vaporized free chlorine components throughout the room, including distant sampling points. These findings suggest the combined use of a vaporized free chlorine generator and a particulate filter effectively reduces microbial contamination in indoor environments, providing a promising approach for infection control in residential and public settings.